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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Listen, is the protagonist likable? No.
Do we understand why he’s the way he is? Yes.
Quick plot, silly jokes and alligators, a cult and more.
I think middle graders who aren’t looking for a taxing read will dog it
Do we understand why he’s the way he is? Yes.
Quick plot, silly jokes and alligators, a cult and more.
I think middle graders who aren’t looking for a taxing read will dog it
"I don't know if I'm doing the right thing, but I'm positive it's the right thing for me."
I'm a big [a:Gordon Korman|2130|Gordon Korman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1607967161p2/2130.jpg] fan. He writes great stories for middle grade readers and I have yet to meet a middle school kid who doesn't like Gordon Korman's work. I was thrilled when I found Korman's latest middle grade book in my approved NetGalley releases - and even more thrilled that I got a listening copy as I knew I would actually read this one by publication date! Note to self: the advanced listening copies are a treat of their own. They feature a synthesized voice reading the book, so it's not quite the listening experience I was expecting. Ha!
Unplugged features a similar Korman lineup: a wide cast of narrators, with some characters worming their way right into your heart and other characters taking a while to warm up to. We start the story meeting Jett, the son of a famous billionaire who is always up to no good. He's been dropped off at Camp Oasis, a camp focused on overall health and wellness but with zero technology. Jett is not at all thrilled he has to give up his cell phone, be forced into a vegetarian eating cycle, and meditate on a regular basis. The other kids at the camp don't seem to be as upset as Jett and the adults sing nothing but praises for the camp. Later on, some of the kids find a carnivorous lizard they name Needles. They swear themselves to secrecy because at the Oasis pets are strictly prohibited. This is where the book takes a [a:Carl Hiaasen|8178|Carl Hiaasen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1522420456p2/8178.jpg] turn and we find out that some of the adults at the Oasis are up to no good and Needles isn't quite as cute and innocent as we thought.
This was a fun read and one that middle school readers are sure to enjoy. I enjoyed the different character narrations as I've come to expect that from Korman's work. However, this book fell short for me simply because I've read Carl Hiaasen and I love the twists and turns that happen in his bizarre eco-adventure (is that a genre?) stories. Hiaasen writes these stories so well and unfortunately, Unplugged isn't written by Hiaasen. Had I not read Hiaasen before, I probably would have liked this story more. I'm going to leave the eco-adventure storytelling to Hiaasen and hope that Korman goes back to his more regular contemporary storytelling.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts and review.*
I'm a big [a:Gordon Korman|2130|Gordon Korman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1607967161p2/2130.jpg] fan. He writes great stories for middle grade readers and I have yet to meet a middle school kid who doesn't like Gordon Korman's work. I was thrilled when I found Korman's latest middle grade book in my approved NetGalley releases - and even more thrilled that I got a listening copy as I knew I would actually read this one by publication date! Note to self: the advanced listening copies are a treat of their own. They feature a synthesized voice reading the book, so it's not quite the listening experience I was expecting. Ha!
Unplugged features a similar Korman lineup: a wide cast of narrators, with some characters worming their way right into your heart and other characters taking a while to warm up to. We start the story meeting Jett, the son of a famous billionaire who is always up to no good. He's been dropped off at Camp Oasis, a camp focused on overall health and wellness but with zero technology. Jett is not at all thrilled he has to give up his cell phone, be forced into a vegetarian eating cycle, and meditate on a regular basis. The other kids at the camp don't seem to be as upset as Jett and the adults sing nothing but praises for the camp. Later on, some of the kids find a carnivorous lizard they name Needles. They swear themselves to secrecy because at the Oasis pets are strictly prohibited. This is where the book takes a [a:Carl Hiaasen|8178|Carl Hiaasen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1522420456p2/8178.jpg] turn and we find out that some of the adults at the Oasis are up to no good and Needles isn't quite as cute and innocent as we thought.
This was a fun read and one that middle school readers are sure to enjoy. I enjoyed the different character narrations as I've come to expect that from Korman's work. However, this book fell short for me simply because I've read Carl Hiaasen and I love the twists and turns that happen in his bizarre eco-adventure (is that a genre?) stories. Hiaasen writes these stories so well and unfortunately, Unplugged isn't written by Hiaasen. Had I not read Hiaasen before, I probably would have liked this story more. I'm going to leave the eco-adventure storytelling to Hiaasen and hope that Korman goes back to his more regular contemporary storytelling.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts and review.*
This was really cute, if a bit silly! I was afraid it might turn into an environmental/veganism/the horrors of technology sermon, but right from the beginning it took a very balanced approach. One kid is extremely against the Oasis, one kid is 100% for it, but most of the children are just there because their parents made them come and they think it’s ok. Some of the characters are more likable than others.
If you’re looking for staunch realism...why are you reading middle grade novels? The outside conflict in this book was a bit ridiculous and definitely had some plot holes, but I kind of expect that from middle grade books - it’s part of their imaginative charm. They’re going to be a little over the top, and I like that.
Overall, a cute book that I would read again in the future.
If you’re looking for staunch realism...why are you reading middle grade novels? The outside conflict in this book was a bit ridiculous and definitely had some plot holes, but I kind of expect that from middle grade books - it’s part of their imaginative charm. They’re going to be a little over the top, and I like that.
Overall, a cute book that I would read again in the future.
Lovely middle grade novel. Fun, mysterious, and timely.
I'm a big Gordon Korman fan. This was fun, but it wasn't my favorite. It picked up in the second half, and then I read it more often to get to the end. This story was more premise and quirk than character.
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a great read for upper elementary through middle school!
Listed on Mock Newbery 2022 and I am a huge Korman fan.
I loved how this story was told from different points of view. Such a good book for middle school
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Classism
Minor: Bullying