What a wonderful read! Korman is a beloved author in my Media Center and this book will be beloved as well. It's a great middle read but one that also is sure to be in demand with my older elementary school students.
It's always interesting to me when an author can take a plot that is reminiscent of others and, yet, make their own book so original.
The plot takes into account modern times where our readers will be able to identify with modern technology and cell phones. Jett's father, the tech billionaire, is sure to conjure up images of the technological giants of today.
There is so much entertainment throughout the book along with suspense and good detective work by the young characters. The friendships that develop over time which no one thought possible, initially, all come together to create a message that will remain with the reader.
Korman, as always, has created a winning story!

This was a fun children’s book about becoming more than you think you are and learning to defy expectations. Jett really doesn’t want to be at the Oasis. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a choice in the matter. Once he gets there and is stripped of all the technology that he has grown to depend on, he has to learn how to live again. Along the way, Jett finds new friends, new life, and what it means to be whole.

I liked getting the different perspectives from different characters throughout the book. It encompassed every range of person at the camp: the one who hated being there, the one who loved it, the one struggling through and deciding whether or not they liked it, and the adult perspective. It didn’t get too confusing going back and forth between characters and I liked getting the story from all different sides.

This story had a couple of basic plotlines that ended up coming together nicely and created a satisfying ending. Big surprises were pretty obvious, and I think could easily be figured out by young readers, but were still enjoyable to read. This story played along the boundaries of right and wrong and, although it seemed that that bad behavior was rewarded too much, most wrongs were made right.

I listened to this audiobook with a synthetic voice and I have to say that I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the voice. I still could not speed up to 3x without the book skipping beyond readability, but that did not affect my enjoyment of the book.

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.

Thank you so much to Harper Audio and NetGalley for letting me listen and review this fun MG audiobook. It was done in with a synthetic voice so I can't comment on the narrator. It was enjoyable listening to the voice galley and I liked this entertaining MG story a lot.
It was a bit of a slow start for me when listening to this story, but it picked up a little way into it, and then it kept picking up as the story kept moving along and the last half was the more intense part of the story where a lot of the action happened. It had a great ending and some good lessons and subjects that could be discussed from it that would be good for MG kids and also, anyone, could enjoy it and get a lot out of it.
This was a very uplifting and enjoyable camp story about kids and their families/friends that end up at a wellness camp and have to unplug. They have to learn how to work on being healthy, active, and doing things without always using phones and technology.
It's about the main character, Jett, who's a spoiled rich kid because his Dad is a rich tech billionaire. Jett has always gotten what he wanted and then he goes too far with some stunts he pulls so his Dad has him sent to this wellness camp called The Oasis. At the camp, Jett and everyone else has to hand over their cell phones, eat veggie burgers and other healthy foods and participate in wholesome activities like meditation, ziplining, and so forth.
After being angry for a bit, Jett finds that he starts to enjoy himself and make friends with a few others who he bonds with over having a pet lizard they name Needles. Jett notices after a while thought that all the adults at the camp act weird and he starts to wonder what's going on and then investigates to find out if there's something wrong and what it is. He has to figure a lot out by himself at first and then hopes the others will listen to him. They end up finding and figuring out some interesting things and learning more about themselves and that life outside of the plugged-in world is good fun and educational for them too.
It's a very entertaining, enjoyable, and great MG story with adventure, mayhem, uplifting mood, and great fun for everyone. Make sure to put it on your list so you can be ready to read and enjoy it when it comes out!

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!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced audio review copy of this book.

I loved the setting of this book, because any kind of camp setting always gets me--and this was a wellness retreat, so even better.

The characters were interesting, if not exactly unique. They were definitely predictable in some ways, though I was still rooting for them. The characters were not very diverse and didn't have many distinguishing characteristics for the most part, other than some personality differences amongst the children.

The plot was interesting and I enjoyed watching how it turned out. The corruption components of the story were fun to read about.

I had some problems with how this book dealt with vegetarianism, meditation, etc. I also feel that there was some inherent fatphobia in this that was not resolved in anyway.

Overall I think this would be an exciting, if not very unique, book for middle schoolers.

Let me preface this review by first saying the same thing that everyone else did which is this is an arc. I received the book and was able to get through it in about 2 days. The book does not come out until I believe January of 2021. This is my first Arc, and I was pretty excited to receive it.

As this is my first Arc and I wanted to make sure to keep as many notes and as much information as possible to perhaps help out the author.

This book does suffer from some of the tropes of the genre but I believe there in lies the beauty of this book. It is a group of ragtag Misfits who have to work together in order to survive being put in camp called "oasis" which doesn't allow electronics. it kind of reminded me a little bit of holes and even to some degree The Goonies.

Second chapter should describe the night before instead of just jumping into the next pov. I feel as though "I could hear that spoiled Rich kid roaming around trying to get into some of the Cabin's maybe he isn't used to the Amish style mattress we have here or the thread count isn't as high as he's used to" etc.

In chapter 4 it rains, but there is very little in the way of description other than the fact that it rains. I know this may seem like such a trivial thing but I wanted to point out the fact that you have the ability to express how something smells outside in nature.

The book follows a few different characters perspectives on the camp, which I loved. At times it almost felt like I was reading the plot to a movie rather than a novel. You can almost see a situation where actor would playing jet, or this actress would be playing Brooklyn.

The more I try and critique this book the more one sentence just keeps coming into my head "this book was good and I really enjoyed it" I can tell you it's because of this character or the multiple pov's but honestly when I sit back, I just enjoyed knowing the twist, having ideas for what is coming and just felt as though this book closed up enough with certain characters at the end but left enough wiggle room for another!

I can't wait to see the finished product and I am excited to read the finished product.

I got this audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review

4/5 ⭐️
Super cute story about life with no phones at a camp and that you can actually have a life when you’re not attached to your phone 24/7.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Do you ever get so excited to read a book that is coming out next year? Yes, next year! I don't know about you but I really do get excited. It honestly doesn't even matter what kind of genre it is, I'm in. That being said, Unplugged was a pretty good book to dive into.

First off, that cover is just all kinds of adorable. Second, a retreat where people unplug and connect with other people - Gasp! I mean it sounds kind of fake since we are currently living through this pandemic. Yet, in this world there's no such thing as COVID-19. So, in a way, I was all for it because that just means more times for me and my books.. and less time for distractions and people.

Long story short, sign me up for some peace and quiet.

Besides that, the characters were okay. A bit predictable and cliché at times but I still enjoyed everything that was happening. I would've enjoyed a bit more personal growth but I can be satisfied with what was done.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook to listen to and review.

For the audiobook I reviewed a synthetic voice was used so I am unable to comment on the narrator.

This was a great book and would be an awesome read aloud for grades 5-7. I really like how the story was told from the perspectives of multiple characters. It allows the reader to better understand their motives and actions. There was a pretty cool mystery as well, which actually kept me engaged.

I will definitely be adding a print copy of this to my library.

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.

Thank you Netgalley for the audio version (the arc audio states this is not the final voice and is just a synthetic voice). Once you get past the bland voice it is a great book.

I’m reviewing this from a middle grade perspective (which I love this genre anyway). I think anyone who likes Gordon Korman books will love this.

I think 5th-8th graders would love this book even if they just saw the cover and didn’t know who the author was. 5th grade book club will probably use this for a book when it releases.

Jett is a spoiled rich kid who is sent to an Oasis to “better himself”. He hates it, but he has to be there. There are no electronics and only vegan food. He becomes “friends” with some of the camp kids and they find a little reptile whom they name Nibbles. They are breaking all kinds of camp rules by taking care of this reptile. Secrets are exposed and friendships are made.

This was the best YA book that I have read in a while. I would definitely use this book as a read a loud in the classroom. Jett is a famous billionaires son. He has once again done something that it hard for his dad to clean up with money. Him and his "caretaker" are shipped to a Wellness Center. Phones are taken away right when you walk in. The beginning Jett tries everything to be kicked out. Once he realizes that something fishy is going on at the center, he begins to make friends. What will happen when he realizes the truth and no one believes him?

I loved this one! A group of kids trying to expose the truth,, a crazy teacher, and a little creature named Needles..what a great story! Loved the ways they worked together to get the truth finally out there in the end.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for granting me access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

Unplugged in the story of Jett, a 12-year-old spoiled rich kid whose father is a billionaire tech mogul. After getting in trouble one too many times, Jett is sent to spend his summer at the Oasis, under the watchful eye of one of his father's employees, Matt, and to Jett's utter dismay the Oasis is a hippy-like commune of mindfulness, lots of yoga, a vegan diet, and absolutely no personal electronics. It's also in the middle of swampland, Arkansas. While at Oasis, Jett butts heads with the other kids in attendance, who've all acclimated to the atmosphere of the place and find his rebellious attitude disruptive. Until they rescue a small lizard in need of non-vegan sustenance, that is. For most of the book, this is the story of unlikely friends bonding over shared responsibility for a contraband pet.

In a vacuum, I like this concept of this novel. Spoiled tech brat thrown into a tech-free situation and forced to socialize in person. The idea has a lot of potential, and while I haven't personally read other titles by this author, I recognize many of his titles from seeing them in the homes of friends with younger siblings in my teenage years. That, combined with the very attractive cover art and curiosity over the experimental pre-production synethetic voice audio ARCs now being offered are what made me request this title to review.

In execution, this book fell short of my expectations. It has far too many POV characters who have such similar voices that I was rarely sure which character I was reading. We've got a whiny spoiled brat, a kid who's way too into the Oasis mentality, a kid who's allergic to everything but not too bothered by it, somebody's sister, some bully, Matt the programmer-turned-baby sister, and I think the surprise reveal girl is yet a different character and not one of the previously mentioned kids? My opinions on the POV characters ranged from neutral detatchment to annoyance to hatred. (Jett is insufferable.) None of the characters made me care, and some made no meaningful impact on the story. This book could have been written with half the POVs (and likely half the pages) and still tell the story it set out to tell. Since I was listening to an audio ARC, I increased the playback speed and powered through, but had I been reading the text for myself this would have been a DNF for me.

I would like to give my compliments to the cover artist, as the cover caught my eye and made me want to read the book no matter what it was about. Featuring the "lizard" Needles (why did none of the kids call it a baby gator for 99% of the book? It's clearly a baby gator...) was a great choice, as he ended up being my favourite character.

This book is 2 stars for me because I could not get past my dislike of all the POV characters. Perhaps someone younger would connect better with the characters. I'm 32, a mother, and the daughter and sister of teachers. These kids are our nightmares. Perhaps teenage readers who haven't had experience working with spoiled brats would be more forgiving.

A lot of this book, I didn't really know what the plot was. It was just about a spoiled rich kid being sent to a camp where all the electronics are taken away, they eat healthy and meditate. When we finally figured out where the book was going, I really did enjoy it, but up until then it was very average.
Jett was quite annoying, but that was his character, being spoiled and rich. The other characters were kind of bland to me. I think it may have been the audiobook narrator though. I didn't really enjoy the narrator. He used the exact same voice for all of the characters and the way he talked and put emphasis on some words was just weird and made it hard to listen to at some points. So I really had no idea who's POV we were listening to unless someone said the name.
I loved Needles and how the kids took care of it (him?). What Needles actually ended up being and how he tied into the "big reveal" at the end was really fun and something I completely wasn't expecting. The ending was super fast paced and exciting.
I think I would have enjoyed this more when I was younger, but overall it was a really cute and fun book!

I enjoyed going on this adventure with Jett. Unplugged by Gordon Korman was a quick, fun, exciting, adventurous listen.

Jett is the son of a tech billionaire and is sent to a retreat with no technology. He also decides to help take care of a reptile. The issue is the camp is 100% vegetarian. They go on lots of epic outings and adventures to help care for this animal and because it is a story about discovery and learning.

I would highly recommend this book to middle schoolers on up. I fully enjoyed this as an adult. I think the message of unplugging for a bit is a valuable one. This is my first book by Gordon Korman, and I am eager to read more.

While the voice I listened to was a robot, I never would have known. I found the audio fantastic.

I received an advanced audiobook copy from Harper Audio and Balzer + Bray through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

Another hit for kids who already love Korman’s books. Jett is the son of a tech billionaire and is always pulling pranks, starving for his parent’s approval. His dad is fed up with cleaning up Jett’s messes. Jett is sent to a “wellness” retreat center where he has to survive without electronics. A tiny lizard, Needles, is found and several of the children hide him because pets aren’t allowed at the center. Jett wants to help the carnivorous animal survive, but the camp is fully vegetarian! They “borrow “ a boat and head to town in search of meat. On the way they discover a huge mansion that is out of place in the backwoods of Arkansas. Jett is determined to find out more about the owner. He is also curious about the “private” meditation classes the adults take. Friendships evolve, riddles are solved and Jett becomes a better individual.

A story that will excite , engage and appeal to middle grade readers. Gordon Korman has done it again.
Korman's story has adventure, mystery a little intrigue...everything you want in a great story.