Saviors of the Bugle

Barbara Elmore
Mud Pie Press (2003)
ISBN 097149410X
Reviewed by Danielle Feliciano for Reader Views (6/06)

Barbara Elmore’s book “Saviors of the Bugle” is a surprisingly compelling tale of one very determined 14 year old girl and her unwavering goal to save the community newspaper.  Wendy Wright has grown up reading Moffat Corner’s twice-weekly paper, The Bugle.  In addition to being a devoted reader, Wendy feels further connection to the paper as her late sister wrote a column for the paper (which started with Wendy’s prodding).  When stories begin to appear that hint at the possibility of closing the newspaper, Wendy cannot bear the thought of no longer having the Bugle in her life.  She immediately seeks the truth behind these stories, as well as seeks a way to save the paper.  Armed with her best friends, Libby and Riley, these three unlikely heroes set out to do what they can to save the paper.

Their joint adventure begins with the three friends writing articles that they think will help increase readership.  They work for free, because they know the publisher cannot afford to pay them.  Pretty soon they stumble into the mystery of the missing school mascot, and Wendy nearly sacrifices her own life in trying to save this dog.  Wendy and her friends learn more about their town than they ever imagined they would, but they ultimately succeed in their mission.

Set up behind the main story are the stories of a grieving family, tales of child abuse and animal abuse, and the realities of small-town life.  These back stories give “Saviors of the Bugle” a more truthful feel, as it is hard not to fall in love with this town and its inhabitants. 

The most impressive part of this book is the characters.  Each character is well-developed and very realistic.  Further, the heroes of this book are ordinary kids who found something they were passionate about.  They are not kids who do extraordinary things every day.  Rather, they are kids who have insecurities, are uncomfortable with themselves and not sure how to stand up to authority, even if that authority is wrong.  In trying to save The Bugle, these kids find a strength they never knew they had.  

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