Dear Know-It-All is a middle grade series I write for Simon & Schuster Publishing as Rachel Wise. The books shown below are the ones in the series that I have written.


Dear Know-It-All: Old Story, New Twist
Samantha struggles to follow her own advice when writing a column for the school newspaper reveals a hidden desire. Samantha loves being a star reporter for the school newspaper, and she especially loves it when she’s teamed up with her crush, Michael Lawrence. So she’s especially upset when Mr. Trigg doesn’t pair them together—will Michael forget all about her if they don’t work together? And to make matters worse, Sam’s best friend likes a boy whom Sam can’t stand. How do your tell your best friend you think she has terrible taste? To keep her mind off of her own problems, Sam concentrates on writing her Dear Know-It-All advice column. While encouraging a letter writer who’s too shy to try out for the gymnastics team, Sam realizes that she’d secretly like to try out for the team herself. Sam advises the hopeful girl to “Go for it! Don’t be afraid! Reach for the stars!” But can Sam take her own advice?


Dear Know-It-All: Cast Your Ballot
It’s election time at Cherry Valley Middle School, and Sam thinks she’s got the scoop on the candidates! But her investigative journalism reveals some surprises…Cherry Valley Middle School is holding elections for class president—and the choice couldn’t be more obvious to Samantha Martone. John Parker is clearly the better candidate: he’s articulate, handsome, charismatic, and full of great ideas. (Longer lunch hours, less homework, and iPads for the newspaper staff!). But Mr. Trigg reminds Sam to (1) Do her research and (2) Stay objective. And in the process of practicing good journalism, Sam realizes that while John looks and sounds great, he might not actually be the best pick.


Dear Know-It-All: Black & White & Gray All Over
Sam needs some serious advice when a new staff member competes for newspaper bylines—and for her crush’s attention.Cherry Valley is abuzz when a new girl comes to town from the UK. Kate Bigley has dark hair, bright blue eyes, and an English accent—and she has dreams of being a reporter. Mr. Trigg is thrilled when Kate joins the Cherry Valley Voice staff, but Sam is less excited to have some competition. Especially when Kate is paired up with Michael Lawrence for the next big cover story. What if Sam’s crush gets a crush on someone else?


Dear Know-It-All: A Level Playing Field
Can Sam and Michael still be partners even when they are in disagreement? Samantha really enjoys writing for her school newspaper, particularly when she’s assigned to write with Michael Lawrence, who happens to also be her crush. She’s thrilled to work with him—but less thrilled to realize they disagree on how the article should be written. The topic is whether students should pay for extracurricular activities, such as sports, and Samantha thinks it’s a good idea. After all, baseball isn’t as important as math or language arts, she argues. But try telling that to the star pitcher on the school’s baseball team! Maybe Samantha’s headline should be Trouble in the Newsroom!


Dear Know-It-All: Set the Record Straight
Samantha loves working on her school newspaper staff, and she especially likes her job as the anonymous advice columnist “Dear Know-It-All.” She does her best to help her readers, but when a well-meaning suggestion backfires, Sam finds herself the victim of cyberbullying: Horrible emails fill her inbox, and she feels harassed. To make matters worse, she’s doing solid reporting about the bad food in the cafeteria, but that makes the cafeteria workers hostile and upset. Does everyone hate her?
On the brink of a meltdown, Sam talks to her adviser, who says she can stop writing the advice column if she wants. Should Sam quit being Know-It-All and admit defeat, or is there a way she can defend herself and keep her job on the school paper?


Dear Know-It-All: Read All About It!
Sam Martone is honored to be picked as this year's Dear Know It All, but can she handle-it-all?
In this start to an all-new series, Samantha begins writing her school paper’s advice column—and finds out fast that some things are easier said than written. Every middle-school girl has questions about her future, but to star school newspaper reporter Samantha Martone, getting the scoop is her life. Sam plans to travel the world someday as a journalist, and in the meantime she’s thrilled that her newspaper adviser, Mr. Trigg, has chosen her for a special gig: For the next year, she’ll be the school’s anonymous advice columnist.
Being the voice of “Dear Know-It-All” is exciting, and an important secret to keep—especially when Sam figures out that one of the letters she receives is actually from her best friend. Sam’s mortified to learn her BFF also has a crush on fellow newspaper staffer—and pitcher for the baseball team—Michael Lawrence. Can Sam still give good advice when her own love interest is on the line?