Publisher's Weekly
The Nic-Nacs (Nic for Nicole, N for Nelson, A for Amy, C for Carlos) are a band of energetic nine-year-olds who, during summer vacation, decide to write a neighborhood newspaper. With their first issue of The Nic-Nac News , the enterprising crew helps unravel a mystery concerning a box mistakenly delivered to Mrs. Hopkins; another item prompts one of the reporters to produce a live dinosaur descendant for Pet Day in the park. Nixon's action-packed plots also include solid advice on how newspapers are made, along with thoughtful suggestions about how children might participate in community and school activities. The dialogue, which includes such colorful phrases as ''snake spit'' and ''grasshopper guts,'' will have great appeal for this age group, though several passages are repetitious and fall flat. Goffe's expressive illustrations depict appropriately eager, inquisitive characters. Restless vacationers and budding journalists alike will enjoy the first breezy titles of this new series. Ages 8-12. (May)
School Library Journal
Gr 2-5-- This beginning chapter book features short paragraphs with lots of realistic dialogue. One summer four neighborhood children decide to start a newspaper. Armed with press cards and notepads, they are on the lookout for news. They discover plenty of it, including an box addressed to ''The Great Giovanni'' that arrives mysteriously at Mrs. Hopkin's house. The kids investigate and solve the case at a block party. The Nic-Nacs are an upbeat, enterprising lot who enjoy themselves as reporters. Line drawings show the middle-class, suburban group at work and play. A pleasant series offering. --Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA
Genre: Children's Fiction
The Nic-Nacs (Nic for Nicole, N for Nelson, A for Amy, C for Carlos) are a band of energetic nine-year-olds who, during summer vacation, decide to write a neighborhood newspaper. With their first issue of The Nic-Nac News , the enterprising crew helps unravel a mystery concerning a box mistakenly delivered to Mrs. Hopkins; another item prompts one of the reporters to produce a live dinosaur descendant for Pet Day in the park. Nixon's action-packed plots also include solid advice on how newspapers are made, along with thoughtful suggestions about how children might participate in community and school activities. The dialogue, which includes such colorful phrases as ''snake spit'' and ''grasshopper guts,'' will have great appeal for this age group, though several passages are repetitious and fall flat. Goffe's expressive illustrations depict appropriately eager, inquisitive characters. Restless vacationers and budding journalists alike will enjoy the first breezy titles of this new series. Ages 8-12. (May)
School Library Journal
Gr 2-5-- This beginning chapter book features short paragraphs with lots of realistic dialogue. One summer four neighborhood children decide to start a newspaper. Armed with press cards and notepads, they are on the lookout for news. They discover plenty of it, including an box addressed to ''The Great Giovanni'' that arrives mysteriously at Mrs. Hopkin's house. The kids investigate and solve the case at a block party. The Nic-Nacs are an upbeat, enterprising lot who enjoy themselves as reporters. Line drawings show the middle-class, suburban group at work and play. A pleasant series offering. --Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA
Genre: Children's Fiction
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