When Roomer the dog runs off with a hat at an annual fashion show, everyone expects his disappearance to be temporary. But when he does not reappear after several days, students begin to worry that something awful has happened to the friendly middle school mascot. The mystery is one that Wendy Wright and her teenage friends set out to unravel as they help the newspaper's editor cover the news. Although her heart is in the right place, Wendy's admiration for the newspaper -- the Bugle -- and her pursuit of the truth put her in grave danger. Her loyal friends and thoughtful adults are also on the case, but they always seem to be several steps behind. Will they be able to save Wendy when she discovers the dog is being held prisoner and starving to death? And what will become of the town's newspaper, which is on shaky financial footing?