"When Ruth discovers a strange black slime in the man-made lake of her suburban neighborhood, she decides to investigate. Fortified by the encouragement of those around her, Ruth seeks the truth at all costs, even if it means taking on the rich local country club owner, who she believes is responsible for the pollution"-- - (Baker & Taylor)

In this compelling middle-grade graphic novel The Leak, Ruth, a young journalist, is determined to uncover a secret that threatens her town.

Ruth Keller is brash and precocious; she argues with her dentist, her parents, and her teachers. So, when she discovers a strange black slime in the man-made lake of her suburban neighborhood, she decides to investigate. Fortified by the encouragement of those around her, Ruth seeks the truth at all costs, even if it means taking on the rich local country club owner, who she believes is responsible for the pollution.

Between the teasing of former friends, and a sudden viral spotlight, Ruth discovers how difficult it is for a journalist to take a stand for what's right in the face of critique and controversy. From writer Kate Reed Petty and illustrator Andrea Bell, comes a story about corruption, pollution, and freedom of the press, and the young journalist at the center of it all.

Kate Reed Petty lives in Baltimore. Her fiction has appeared in Electric Literature, American Short Fiction, and more, and her short films have appeared in Narrative magazine and at the Maryland Film Festival. She is also the author of the novel True Story, published by Viking in 2020.

Andrea Bell is an illustrator and comic artist living in Chicago through the best and worst seasons. In 2013 she earned her BFA in Illustration from Columbia College Chicago and has since self-published "Fair Voyage" and "Still Waiting." Today Andrea works as a freelance illustrator and in her free time enjoys rock climbing, curating playlists, video games, and a warm meme on a cold day.

Booklist Reviews

*Starred Review* When Ruth, a 13-year-old aspiring journalist, stumbles upon some strange black goo at her local lake, she's sure she has a story. After some investigating, she lands on a culprit: the lake-adjacent country club that's already been cited for EPA violations. But is she right? Amid the tension of Ruth's investigation and classic middle-school experiences, like dealing with a new crush and the pressures of fitting in, Petty folds in a thorough exploration of key journalistic concepts. Ruth consults with experts, interviews sources, faces pushback, and—this is key—makes some instructive mistakes along the way, all of which help her recognize the dangers of confirmation bias and rushing a story. As her newsletter gains some notoriety, she starts to recognize her responsibility to be accurate and fair, especially when powerful adults push her to change her story. The lessons of her investigation nicely parallel some of her friendship troubles, and the emphasis on water pollution, politics, and propaganda will strike a chord with kid activists. Bell's rounded figures, sun-dappled scenes, and warm palette of colors are in striking contrast to the rather serious stakes of the story, and that approachable look will help give this an even wider audience. Grounded in tween concerns, this is a surprisingly deep dive into investigative journalism that will appeal to fans of classic middle-school drama. Grades 4-7. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Horn Book Guide Reviews

Eager to become an investigative reporter, tenacious twelve-year-old Ruthie begins an examination into polluted water at Particular Lake in her hometown of Twin Oaks. Her inquiry starts bumpily: her research is well-intentioned but incomprehensive, and she manages to ruffle a few feathers with her vigorous pursuit of the truth. With the mentorship of her older brother's girlfriend, who interns at the New York Times, and additional assistance from her science teacher, who teaches Ruthie's class about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, Ruthie quickly learns that her sleuthing must be watertight to stand up to the corporate corruption she uncovers. Given its dedication (to the people of Flint) and its biracial protagonist, readers might have expected this graphic novel to include deeper discussions of racial inequities in water advocacy, but the narrative does present a detailed, dedicated focus on the proper way to conduct an investigation to hold wrongdoers accountable. Bell's rounded, colorful art style feels modern and accessible to digitally savvy readers; it reminds them that Ruthie is still a kid and still learning, especially when she makes her more embarrassing mistakes. A refreshing addition to the contemporary graphic novel landscape for middle-graders and middle-schoolers. Copyright 2023 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Horn Book Magazine Reviews

Eager to become an investigative reporter, tenacious twelve-year-old Ruthie begins an examination into polluted water at Particular Lake in her hometown of Twin Oaks. Her inquiry starts bumpily: her research is well-intentioned but incomprehensive, and she manages to ruffle a few feathers with her vigorous pursuit of the truth. With the mentorship of her older brother's girlfriend, who interns at the New York Times, and additional assistance from her science teacher, who teaches Ruthie's class about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, Ruthie quickly learns that her sleuthing must be watertight to stand up to the corporate corruption she uncovers. Given its dedication (to "the people of Flint") and its biracial protagonist, readers might have expected this graphic novel to include deeper discussions of racial inequities in water advocacy, but the narrative does present a detailed, dedicated focus on the proper way to conduct an investigation to hold wrongdoers accountable. Bell's rounded, colorful art style feels modern and accessible to digitally savvy readers; it reminds them that Ruthie is still a kid and still learning, especially when she makes her more embarrassing mistakes. A refreshing addition to the contemporary graphic novel landscape for middle-graders and middle-schoolers. Niki Marion July/August 2021 p.120 Copyright 2021 Horn Book Magazine Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

Aspiring journalist Ruth investigates potential water pollution in her town. On a fishing trip to her local lake, 13-year-old Ruth encounters an unusual slimelike substance and a dead fish on the shore. This unsettling discovery prompts her to initiate an investigation. Ruth spotlights the mystery in her self-published online newsletter, earning her more subscribers and pressure for bigger stories. As she dives deeper into the situation, she learns important lessons about sound journalistic practices. After a test reveals the town's tap water is unsafe, Ruth starts to gather more evidence and reaches out to the community to collect personal accounts about the pollution's harmful health effects. Eventually the culprit is exposed—and Ruth's integrity is challenged when some adults try to manipulate the exposé to their advantage. Ruth is a strong, realistic protagonist. Her passionate determination for uncovering the truth sometimes negatively influences her choices, but she's willing to learn and admit her mistakes. This environmentally focused story incorporates information about the water poisoning coverup in Flint, Michigan, and highlights the investigative process and ethics in journalism. The simple panel layouts with cartoonlike illustrations in muted, natural tones succeed in clearly portraying the action. Brown-skinned Ruth's parents' appearances cue her as biracial; secondary characters are ethnically diverse. An engaging, empowering tale of journalistic activism and ecological awareness. (afterword) (Graphic fiction. 9-12) Copyright Kirkus 2021 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Petty (True Story, for adults) and Bell (the Diary of a 5th Grade Outlaw series) dedicate this tale of a 12-year-old muckraker to "the people of Flint, Michigan," whose city's past provides real-world subtext for this tale. Aspiring journalist Ruth Keller is dedicated to her craft, reading as much news as she can and producing an online newsletter. Minor scandals, such as "the graffiti of the big penis that someone keeps doing on the school wall," are Ruth's bread and butter until the day she and a friend discover tar and a dead fish on their small town's lake shore. Ruth initiates an exposé and shares the scoop with her brother's girlfriend, a New York Times intern who cautions against leaping to conclusions and mentors Ruth in conducting revealing interviews—leading to a galvanizing resolution that recommends persistence and honesty. Bell's color-drenched panels, lined in crayonlike textures, portray confident Ruth as a biracial heroine who chases down leads and navigates the murky waters of middle school relationships. Petty, meanwhile, mines investigative journalism, detailing its rules ("Check your biases") and concluding with an insistent afterword on journalistic integrity. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 4–7—Aspiring journalist Ruth Keller, 12, finds the next big scoop for her newsletter when she and her crush discover black sludge in the lake. She unearths a possible cover-up and suspects the involvement of the Twin Oaks Country Club. With help from her science teacher Ms. Freeman and her brother's girlfriend, Sara, a New York Times intern, Ruth relies on her wits to unmask the culprits behind the water pollution. Ruth's narration keys the audience in to important aspects of journalism and lends the book an intimate tone. Set in fall 2015, the graphic novel spotlights coverage of the water crisis in Flint, MI, reminding readers of the real-life power of the press. Subplots involving middle school mean girls and minor family drama keep the tale accessible for a middle grade audience. Within panels with rounded edges, cartoonish illustrations rely on a neutral palette. Ruth, her family, and Sara are dark-skinned, but their ethnicity is not explicitly defined. VERDICT An absorbing work that emphasizes that even the youngest voices can have a resounding impact.—Pearl Derlaga, York County P.L., VA