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A review by kindredbooks
Finally Heard by Kelly Yang
5.0
I received an e-galley of Finally Heard by Kelly Yang from Simon and Schuster Canada via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Finally Heard is the second Lina Gao story in the Finally Seen series and just like the first book, it did not disappoint. In this story, Lina struggles with what it means to be one of the only people in her class without a phone and social media accounts. But in a world consumed by Tik Toks, trending videos, and group chats, it seems unavoidable as even Lina's mom ventures into this world in order to get word of their small business out. Lina soon finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into the world of social media and the algorithms that begin to confuse her in terms of what she needs and wants in life.
There is such a great conversation to be had around social media for children in this story. I really liked how Kelly Yang was also able to show how social media can be unhealthy for adults - that it is not just young people who are affected and how having good adult role models are necessary for children to be able to navigate the world of social media, if they are to navigate it at all. Another aspect that I really enjoyed was the ways in which the teacher within the story also tried to educate her class about the science behind social media and explain what is happening to our brains when we engage in unhealthy behaviours.
This is definitely a much needed story for young readers today as many of them, just like Lina, are starting to get pulled into the world that is within a smart phone.
Finally Heard is the second Lina Gao story in the Finally Seen series and just like the first book, it did not disappoint. In this story, Lina struggles with what it means to be one of the only people in her class without a phone and social media accounts. But in a world consumed by Tik Toks, trending videos, and group chats, it seems unavoidable as even Lina's mom ventures into this world in order to get word of their small business out. Lina soon finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into the world of social media and the algorithms that begin to confuse her in terms of what she needs and wants in life.
There is such a great conversation to be had around social media for children in this story. I really liked how Kelly Yang was also able to show how social media can be unhealthy for adults - that it is not just young people who are affected and how having good adult role models are necessary for children to be able to navigate the world of social media, if they are to navigate it at all. Another aspect that I really enjoyed was the ways in which the teacher within the story also tried to educate her class about the science behind social media and explain what is happening to our brains when we engage in unhealthy behaviours.
This is definitely a much needed story for young readers today as many of them, just like Lina, are starting to get pulled into the world that is within a smart phone.