Darnell Rock Reporting, Paperback/Walter Dean Myers

DARNELL ROCK IS not the kind of kid who volunteers to write for the newspaper--it sounds too much like homework. But this is Darnell's last chance to pull himself together and make a positive contribution to his school. At first, Darnell would rather be hanging out with his sister and his friends. But soon he gets interested in the Oakdale Gazette . Much to his surprise, Darnell discovers that people pay attention to the words he writes. Before he knows it, Darnell changes from a kid who can't do anything right to a person who can make a difference.