Izzy's starting at the local arts-based middle school where she'll be in both the performing and technical programs, since podcasting requires both sets of skills.
Soon Izzy learns that a rivalry divides the acting students, known as "the Talent", and the tech students, called "the Techies". Lately the rivalry is more bitter than ever because someone has been making nasty memes of Brody Hogan, one of the Talent.
Before long Izzy's podcast is up and running as she interviews classmates and gathers clues about who might be behind the memes-but it isn't easy keeping socially afloat in two different programs, let alone snooping around treating everyone like a suspect. Soon the memester moves on to other targets, including Izzy, and when Izzy's parents find out, they want her to go to the principal. Now Izzy has a deadline. Can she find the culprit before the case is out of her hands?
Key Selling Points
• Izzy Wong finds herself at a new school in the middle of a rivalry, and when she learns that some mean memes about one of her classmates is being circulated, she is determined to root out the culprit-and record it all on her podcast.
• The story shows a middle grader learning about podcasting and ethical journalism and is a great springboard for readers to think about media literacy.
• Izzy is a strong, smart, ambitious character who makes mistakes along the way but ultimately always solves the case-a great role model for readers.
• Izzy Wong's Drama Disaster is the sequel to Izzy Wong's Nose for News.
• Podcasts are incredibly popular and readers will get some of the inside scoop on how to make one, down to Izzy's choice of audio recorder.
• Marty Chan is a prolific and award-winning author and playwright, whose books include Cosplay Crime, Final Cut, Willpower, Dragon on the Loose and Haunted Hospital. He frequently tours and presents to schools.
In this middle-grade novel, Izzy Wong has found a new mystery to investigate for her podcast when someone uses AI to create insulting memes of a classmate. Izzy will have to risk losing her new classmates' trust to sleuth out the culprit before her parents make her give the principal the information she's gathered.
Marty Chan is an award-winning author of dozens of books for kids, including Cosplay Crime, Kung Fu Master and Haunted Hospital in the Orca Currents line, Dragon on the Loose, which was nominated for the Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express award, Izzy Wong's Nose for News and the Marty Chan Mystery series. He tours schools and libraries across Canada, using storytelling, stage magic and improv to ignite a passion for reading in kids. He lives in Edmonton.
Izzy Wong is a spunky sleuth working to solve mysteries at her middle school and capture the investigations on her podcast, A Nose for News. "Marty gets kids to really think about journalism, facts and what nuances there can be in a new story while also remaining true to the emotions, trials and tribulations of middle school. Izzy is such a great hero. Curious, brave, funny...and willing to admit when she's wrong. I love these books!" Izzy's new arts school brings plenty of drama. "Like the first series instalment, this tale captures the technical aspects of podcasting and journalism while also offering thoughtful takes on the value of human-created art over AI, the cost of fame, and the contributions of those working behind the scenes. Suspenseful pacing, compelling supporting characters, and realistic plot twists make for a welcome return to Izzy's world. A fast-paced mystery with a gentle dose of the promised drama."
