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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
I love Gordon Korman, but this book didn’t really hit it for me. I could guess the entire story early on, and thought it lacked his normal funny events. I will keep reading him in the future.
This book is the story of a Tech giant’s son, Jett. Jett is sent to a camp that leaves him unplugged from technology. While there he learns about himself, how to be a friend to those around him, manages to solve a mystery and befriends a lizard.
Opinion
First and foremost, I recently rescued a lizard. The parts of the story that dealt with Needles made me chuckle while thinking of my Viktor. I found the description of Needles very endearing and realistic.
Poor Jett has been sent to the camp as punishment. I love that in the process of this he found himself and actually admitted in the end that he had a good time.
The other kids also grew. The more I read about each kid, the more I loved this story.
This book would be absolutely perfect for middle school kids who are so unsure of their place in the world. This book shows them that they can be important, not just to other people but to animals as well.
Opinion
First and foremost, I recently rescued a lizard. The parts of the story that dealt with Needles made me chuckle while thinking of my Viktor. I found the description of Needles very endearing and realistic.
Poor Jett has been sent to the camp as punishment. I love that in the process of this he found himself and actually admitted in the end that he had a good time.
The other kids also grew. The more I read about each kid, the more I loved this story.
This book would be absolutely perfect for middle school kids who are so unsure of their place in the world. This book shows them that they can be important, not just to other people but to animals as well.
I absolutely adored this cute middle grade book! It had some deeper meaningful themes that I think will be great for kids of all ages to read about. It all starts at a health and wellness camp called Oasis, where there is no internet, phones or computers allowed, all the food is vegetarian, and there are daily meditation exercises. It revolves around a spoiled rich kid, Jett, and the friends he makes at the camp. None of them are initially friends but bonded over finding and taking care of a lizard they find and deem unable to survive in the wilderness alone. I LOVED the determination the kids had for taking care of Needles the lizard and trying to find out what he eats, without having their phones or internet access to know what type of lizard he was. This was VERY entertaining to me personally as a reptile lover and owner. Jett discovers some things that just didn't add up at the camp and tries to piece together the mystery. I loved the story, characters and message of this book overall and think people of all ages would enjoy this as its not overly childish. It really kept me entertained. I definitely would have liked to see some more character development but overall I give this a 4.5. It was a light fun read that was much needed!
Thanks so much to netgalley and publishers for letting me review this book!
Thanks so much to netgalley and publishers for letting me review this book!
What a thrilling action-packed adventure! Jett has been voted the most spoiled brat in all of Silicon Valley and enjoys spending chunks of his father's endless fortune. He's therefore resentful when he finds himself in a no-technology wellness and meditation center. Although he rails against the morning yoga, veggie burgers and outdoor activities, it slowly becomes apparent that something's not quite right at the Oasis. Can Jett conquer his churlish attitude and summon the loyalty of the other kids to solve the mystery and save their forbidden pet lizard?
This novel had me hooked from the very beginning. There's something compelling about getting a look at the inner workings of a rich kid's mind. It's not always easy to like Jett, but you've got to admire his ingenuity and determination to save the things he cares about. With themes like friendship, conflict-resolution and crime-solving, this is a compelling read for anyone from elementary and up.
This novel had me hooked from the very beginning. There's something compelling about getting a look at the inner workings of a rich kid's mind. It's not always easy to like Jett, but you've got to admire his ingenuity and determination to save the things he cares about. With themes like friendship, conflict-resolution and crime-solving, this is a compelling read for anyone from elementary and up.
I am so thankful to Netgalley for the early copy and for allowing me to review this book. It was a great middle school read and I loved it! Jett Baranov is the son of a rich tech billionaire, When Jett causes trouble, his dad sends him to a wellness camp to unplug since the camp does not allow technology.
As Jett adjusts, he starts making friends, but he also notices that the adults are acting weird. Can Jett get to the bottom of what's going on without causing massive amounts of trouble?
I can't wait to buy a physical copy of the book when it is released!
As Jett adjusts, he starts making friends, but he also notices that the adults are acting weird. Can Jett get to the bottom of what's going on without causing massive amounts of trouble?
I can't wait to buy a physical copy of the book when it is released!
What happens when the son of a tech icon gets sent to a no-screens wellness center as a punishment?
Jett Baranov is the bratty child of a fictional combination of Jeff Bezos and Steve Jobs: an ultra-rich, smart, innovative kid who is constantly getting into trouble. When he steps out of line, again, his punishment is extreme: six weeks at a wellness center in Arkansas, where all of his screens are confiscated upon arrival.
Jett revels in spreading his misery throughout the compound, until a tiny lizard is rescued. This little reptile proves an unlikely ally in forming friendships, and motivates Jett to use his smarts for good for the first time in his life. When the adults begin behaving suspiciously, Jett turns his intelligence on them, and may just uncover something bigger than him or the wellness center.
This middle grade novel is full of humor and likable characters. The narrator varies from chapter to chapter, from the unlikable Jett to the allergy ridden fellow camper to a bully Jett got on the wrong side of to a coder turned Jett’s keeper. The varying perspectives give readers a chance to solve the mysteries themselves while challenging them to examine the reliability of each narrator.
This novel is well paced, and will likely be enjoyed by readers of varying ages who like a good mystery. The hilarity of watching kids try to solve things without the internet is both funny and thought provoking, as they (and the reader) realize we may just be more reliant on our phones than we realize.
As the crew of unlikely friends solves the mysteries and helps an animal in need, they learn to see life from other perspectives and how to put the needs of another above yourself.
This novel was a delight to read and will enchant middle grade readers with its eco-mystery, puzzling characters, and unique setting.
Unplugged by Gordon Korman will be available January 5, 2021 from HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Thank you to Net Galley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the advanced copy to review this fun romp of a novel.
Jett Baranov is the bratty child of a fictional combination of Jeff Bezos and Steve Jobs: an ultra-rich, smart, innovative kid who is constantly getting into trouble. When he steps out of line, again, his punishment is extreme: six weeks at a wellness center in Arkansas, where all of his screens are confiscated upon arrival.
Jett revels in spreading his misery throughout the compound, until a tiny lizard is rescued. This little reptile proves an unlikely ally in forming friendships, and motivates Jett to use his smarts for good for the first time in his life. When the adults begin behaving suspiciously, Jett turns his intelligence on them, and may just uncover something bigger than him or the wellness center.
This middle grade novel is full of humor and likable characters. The narrator varies from chapter to chapter, from the unlikable Jett to the allergy ridden fellow camper to a bully Jett got on the wrong side of to a coder turned Jett’s keeper. The varying perspectives give readers a chance to solve the mysteries themselves while challenging them to examine the reliability of each narrator.
This novel is well paced, and will likely be enjoyed by readers of varying ages who like a good mystery. The hilarity of watching kids try to solve things without the internet is both funny and thought provoking, as they (and the reader) realize we may just be more reliant on our phones than we realize.
As the crew of unlikely friends solves the mysteries and helps an animal in need, they learn to see life from other perspectives and how to put the needs of another above yourself.
This novel was a delight to read and will enchant middle grade readers with its eco-mystery, puzzling characters, and unique setting.
Unplugged by Gordon Korman will be available January 5, 2021 from HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Thank you to Net Galley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the advanced copy to review this fun romp of a novel.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes