Peeled

Hildy biddle is a 16 year old junior of Banesville high. Her dream is to become a journalist like her father once was before his death a few years ago. she is a Journalist for her school news paper called the core.
she lives in a small town in upstate NY which revolves around farming families and apple orchards. With two poor seasons behind them everybody is holding out hope that The Apple Blossom Festival will change there luck and bring positivity back to town.
Just as things are looking up strange people start turning up to town asking questions about the old Ludlow property which is rumored to be haunted..With one arrest and a murder
Hildy puts her high school journalism to the test to solve the case and find out the truth.


This book is a cute clean read for the younger teen but honestly it just wasn't for me I don't know if I would feel any different if I got a hard copy of this book but the audio edition just didn't keep me entertained in my mind the narrator just way to old to be a 16yr old student.


Peeled had too much of a scooby doo vibe for me...

Reader reviewed by Adriana

Another great read from Ms. Bauer. Peeled is the story of Hildy Biddle, a high school reporter who is committed to discovering the truth and reporting it in a transparent and articulate way. In her town there are many family-owned and long standing apple orchards that are a source of great pride for her and her family. Lately though it seems that there is a mystery surrounding the Ludlow property, a house where a young girl once died and where people are now reporting ghost sightings. Then another death occurs on the property, and the local newspaper, The Bee, is drumming up the fear factor surrounding the death and supposed ghost sightings. Hildy and her friends at the high school paper, The Core, are determined to get to the bottom of the mysterious messages and rumored ghost sightings. There is some romantic element thrown in, but at the "core" of the story is Hildy's pursuit of the truth and her determination to become a top-notch reporter. I think this read is good for both girls and boys, and it was enjoyable to me as well, so adults will enjoy it too.

Reader reviewed by mearley

Peeled starts out as a haunted house mystery and evolves into a teenager's fight against the greedy powers that be trying to destroy her town.  Hildy Biddle writes for her school paper, investigating strange sightings and happenings at the old Ludlow place.  The school newspaper gradually becomes the voice of reason in town, as the town's newspaper begins printing nothing more than speculation.  Hildy and her friends challenge the town's newspaper's editor and begin receiving anonymous threats.

Hildy is an engaging protagonist, consumed with becoming a good journalist but with a healthy balance of family time, friendships, and analyzing past and potential boyfriends.  I believe this book will have wide appeal (no pun intended!) between the mystery, fight for social justice, and realistic relationships. 

Reprinted here with author's permission.

Reader reviewed by graceface

High school reporter Hildy Biddle is serious about her writing and always wants to stand up for the truth. So when rumors circulate around the city of Banesville, Hildy Biddle wants to get to the bottom of it. Is the old Ludlow house really haunted by a ghost? Many people, including the city's local paper, The Bee, say yes. But Hildy's gut says no. And, after a lot of researching and interviewing, so do a lot of other people. Together with her friend Zack, Minska, Darrell, and some of the staff on the high school newspaper, The Core, Hildy tries to solve this mystery. And what they find will take the city by storm.
I really liked this book. Joan Bauer writes so beautifully and cleverly that I felt like I was actually experiencing what was happening. And, let me tell you, it is really exciting!!