Who Stole Matthew's Web

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• A Quick Look at Who Stole Matthew's Web?
• The Making of Who Stole Matthew's Web?
• A Note from The Teacher, Mrs. Beth Epstein
• A Note from The Principal, Dr. Nancy Pitcher

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A Quick Look at Who Stole Matthew's Web?

Who Stole Matthew's Web?
Evil lurks in the dark side of cyberspace...
Just when Matthew’s life is going great, a mysterious post appears on the school’s online bulletin board. Matthew’s world crashes into a digital black hole. He has to get out fast – but how?

Sixty-three teenagers partnered with Jeri Fink and Donna Paltrowitz to track Matthew’s adventures in his desperate search for truth. Who is the cyber thief? Can chat buddies bring Matthew back to reality? Will the web ever be the same?

Who Stole Matthew’s Web? addresses the issues of bullying, identity theft, social injustice, and the danger of the internet.

For more information, contact booksbyteens@jerifink.com.
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The Making of Who Stole Matthew's Web?

It was a moment they would never forget. Each student from Mrs. Beth Epstein’s 7th grade classes at Lawrence Middle School held a thick bundle of papers stamped First Draft. The message was clear: Matthew is waiting. He desperately needs your help to solve Who Stole Matthew’s Web?

It was the beginning of an exciting adventure that led these Lawrence, New Jersey students down the difficult, creative, and innovative road to publishing their own book. “The kids are chomping at the literary bit,” Mrs. Beth Epstein wrote in an e-mail. “I think we’ll have great results because you set us up for success.”

The work began. It would be a total of six months, from first draft to book launch and signing at Alphabet Soup Bookstore in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. 7th grader Todd wrote a note to the authors, saying it all. “Any kid would like to read about the problems in Who Stole Matthew’s Web?”

The teens hunkered down to work. They played multiple roles as writers, editors, illustrators, and promoters in their own YA (young adult) mystery. “The kids love it,” reported Mrs. Epstein, “they’re writing narratives about real or real and embellished experiences they had or have heard about regarding computers, internet, and chat rooms.”

Fascinating discussion emerged. Dan’s skin color and JC’s heritage were debated, asking questions like why not include a Polish or Hispanic kid? Jealousy, anger, and control were also addressed. The difficult question of punishment was raised. What happens when a computer crime is committed? How do you pay the consequences?

“We had a great time,” Mrs. Epstein observed. “Kids worked out their decisions about the issues as they went deeper into the book.”
Under Mrs. Epstein’s skillful direction, Who Stole Matthew’s Web? was destined to be a success.

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A Note from The Teacher, Mrs. Beth Epstein

We love to do what we do well. On the other hand, we often hesitate to try something new and fear to do what we think we cannot do. Writing is certainly one of the most difficult but most human and humanizing things young people are faced with. It is no wonder that many students find writing a challenge. It is not easy to shape our thoughts and feelings into sentences. However, when we can work with gifted authors who have been through the process, and when we can engage ourselves with topics important to us, writing becomes something we want to try. This is especially true when the burden of responsibility is shared among peers. Because all of these conditions were met by Donna Paltrowitz and Jeri Fink, our master authors, and helped along by the support of our new principal, Dr. Nancy Pitcher, we learned that writing really is fun – is something we really can do! I think that students who helped to write this second book in the BOOKS BY TEENS series, have enjoyed doing something they have never done before, meeting the challenge to express themselves, and finding that they could do much more than they thought possible.

Thank you, Dr. Fink, Mrs. Paltrowitz and Dr. Pitcher for the opportunity you gave us to do something memorable and important!

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A Note from The Principal, Dr. Nancy Pitcher

Dear Dr. Fink, Mrs. Paltrowitz, and Mrs. Epstein,

As a new member of the LMS family, I continue to be impressed with the dedication of its teachers and staff to the total development of all students. This is one example of that dedication and creativity that will remain a lifetime memory for the students involved.

I want to thank you for your time, effort and caring that you have given the children involved in this book publishing experience.

I congratulate the students on this endeavor.

Dr. Nancy Pitcher
Principal Lawrence Middle School

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