Kristin Butcher... has novel ideas

CM Magazine

This latest offering from the Orca's Currents series is well suited to its intended audience of below grade level middle school readers. With its succinct text, short chapters, and emphasis on contemporary teen issues Cheat should be popular with reluctant young adult readers. (Kay Weisman)

Booklist
...focuses on issues teens will care about. Laurel's clandestine probing provides plenty of plot tension and her discoveries will keep readers guessing about larger mysteries. Readers will want to discuss the issue of cheating, its ramifications, and Laurel's final choices about turning people in. (Lynn Rutan)

School Library Journal
Butcher's portrayal of high school cheating is believable, with actual consequences ... the pacing will keep reluctant readers hooked to the very end.

Library Media Connection
This is a well written narrative that will challenge readers to make a decision about what's right and what's wrong. (Betsy Ann Shoffstall)

Children's Literature

A modern day Nancy Drew and Bob Woodward rolled into one, Laurel Quinn is a tenacious investigative journalist trapped inside a school newspaper reporter ... Yet there is something appealing about the formula, as Nancy Drew fans can attest, and mystery-lovers will enjoy how the mystery unfolds. (Michele C. Hughes)

Puget Sound Council

... easy to get caught up in this book -- enough suspense to keep the story moving briskly along. A good hi-low read for teens. (Heidi Gleb)

PSLA Top Forty

Butcher offers an insightful look into the ethics and morals of high school students. In the end there is some resolution but the readers will ultimately have to make up their own minds. The short book really lends itself to a good discussion. (Jeannie Bellavance)