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I received eARCs courtesy of Balzer + Bray/Harper Audio via NetGalley (audiobook) & Edelweiss (print) in exchange for my honest review.
Getting this right out of the way: the audiobook was read by a synthetic voice which is very odd listening to a robotic tone reading a book centered around ridding your life of technology. It is very hard to judge the audiobook as a result, but luckily, I also got an eARC of the book itself.
This book is just what you would expect from Korman. That playful humor that emanates throughout the rest of his stories is alive and well in Unplugged. Kids are not going to be even a little disappointed in this story and I expect it to end up on many statewide book award lists.
For Libraries: If Korman's other works are popular in your library, you certainly won't want to pass this one up.
Getting this right out of the way: the audiobook was read by a synthetic voice which is very odd listening to a robotic tone reading a book centered around ridding your life of technology. It is very hard to judge the audiobook as a result, but luckily, I also got an eARC of the book itself.
This book is just what you would expect from Korman. That playful humor that emanates throughout the rest of his stories is alive and well in Unplugged. Kids are not going to be even a little disappointed in this story and I expect it to end up on many statewide book award lists.
For Libraries: If Korman's other works are popular in your library, you certainly won't want to pass this one up.
Easy to read, modern feeling middle school story with a mystery aspect, reminiscent of Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon.
This book is one part mystery, one part summer camp, and one part humour. Korman continues to do what he does best, write an amazing middle grades novel that keeps you guessing and surprised in almost every chapter. The story is told by a variety of narrators, including Jett, the son of a Bezos-type billionaire. Jett is being punished for flying a drone into air traffic over SFO by attending a “wellness” camp. Jett learns a lot of lessons throughout the summer.
Did not care for this one at all. None of the characters are likeable. Not one. There are so many characters, too many, and each gets their own points of view and it is confusing and does not move the story along. One of the main characters, Jett, is insufferable. He's spoiled (his dad is the richest man in the world *eye roll*) and so one dimensional. Actually, all the characters are one dimensional. It's like the author made a list of characters: a spoiled kid, a super hippy, a kid who is allergic to everything, and then didn't develop them any further. And when the alligators are introduced I was like good grief, this is too much. Not recommending it to anyone.
This was an enjoyable read. Thank you to @netgalley for the audiobook ARC of Unplugged.
When Jett Baranov, the son of a tech billionaire, is unwillingly sent to a wellness camp, he has no idea what awaits him. Jett is spoiled and entitled and has always been able to get whatever he wants. The Oasis wellness camp is everything Jett doesn’t like and he is resentful of being there. Eventually, Jett is able to connect with a few kids over Needles, their pet lizard (which is of course against the rules). Follow along while Jett and the crew uncover some Oasis secrets and form friendships along the way.
Jett was easy to not like at the beginning, but seeing him mature throughout the story was fun. There are a multitude of quirky summer camp characters whom Jett encounters during his stay at The Oasis and they often made me chuckle or smile as I thought back to those awkward summer camp days. I enjoyed the book, and as I istened, I kept thinking that my children would also enjoy this one.
When Jett Baranov, the son of a tech billionaire, is unwillingly sent to a wellness camp, he has no idea what awaits him. Jett is spoiled and entitled and has always been able to get whatever he wants. The Oasis wellness camp is everything Jett doesn’t like and he is resentful of being there. Eventually, Jett is able to connect with a few kids over Needles, their pet lizard (which is of course against the rules). Follow along while Jett and the crew uncover some Oasis secrets and form friendships along the way.
Jett was easy to not like at the beginning, but seeing him mature throughout the story was fun. There are a multitude of quirky summer camp characters whom Jett encounters during his stay at The Oasis and they often made me chuckle or smile as I thought back to those awkward summer camp days. I enjoyed the book, and as I istened, I kept thinking that my children would also enjoy this one.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cute middle school fiction. Interesting characters with a twisty plot. Not the most captivating and kind of outlandish but definitely fun.
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated