I enjoy Gordon Korman's style of writing, I have my son hooked on his books as well now. He keeps revisiting this one. It is a great read aloud that engages the students immediately and keeps their interest.

Humorous but not necessarily deserving of the "Eco-literature" label that has been applied to it. Instead the focus is more on various characters (children and adults) coming to terms with their personal hangups and social limitations (brattiness, obsessive rule following, parental embarrassment, identifying passions, etc). There's a zaniness to the plot that should appeal to some.

This students are going to love this book. Korman never fails in captivating his audience. Unplugged is a tremendous story.

Another solid story by Gordon Korman. Told from various middle school aged characters viewpoints, the plot is typical Korman: a group of kids and the main protagonist discover a problem and then solve a mystery, with lighthearted and serious moments. I love that the kids personalities balance each other out—no single character is without strengths or flaws. I always appreciate that Korman allows the reader to see character growth and that even though some adults are the baddies, Korman also has adults who act and respond in age appropriate ways. It’s a good balance. I enjoyed it!

Very entertaining and believable. I think kids will relate well to the characters and will identify with their problems.

What's not to love about Gordon Korman's books? I have loved everything I have read by him. Unplugged is no exception. This was a fun, quick read that I really enjoyed. Students in my school will enjoy this as well. Korman's books for the most part are not super "heavy" and are more light hearted than the books that have been coming out recently. The main character I did not like at first because he was a spoiled, rich brat but by the end, I loved him. What a fun book.

In Korman style it's a funny, middle-school book with twist and turns and great interaction of the characters. Billionaire son, is sent to Oasis Wellness camp which he hates. No technology allowed. Told from the four point of views of the campers, the relationships develop especially when they capture a lizard and care for it. Have read better ones by Korman but this is filled with action and surprises.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The basic concept of this story is that spoiled-brat Jett Baranov thinks that he can do whatever he wants just because his father is a billionaire. But his latest stunt was too much and now he is on his way to the Oasis, a wellness retreat where they take away all electronics, only eat sugar-free and vegetarian, and practice all sorts of mindfulness. AKA his living nightmare. He tries to get kicked out, the other kids can't stand him, but the pathfinders continue to just tell him to be whole.

A baby lizard starts a bond between Jett and some of the other campers and his attitude begins to shift, but only just a little. He notices that the adult guests are all acting a little strange, especially after the come back from their one-on-one meditation sessions with the amazing Ivory. Jett decides that he has to get to the bottom of this, but when he figures it out, no one believes him. Can he convince the others that he is more than just a spoiled-brat?

While I really like Gordon Korman, I have to say that this was not my favorite of his books. It was an interesting premise and it is definitely probable that middle graders would appreciate this more than I did. The chapters alternated between different characters' voices, as many of his book do. The problem here was that none of these characters felt whole and none of them was likeable. This could be a fun book for kids, it just wasn't really for me.

In typical Gordon Korman fashion this story provides a protagonist who you love to hate at the beginning who finds his path to redemption and you end up rooting for at the end. I enjoyed this book, as I do most of Korman's works, but this one took a surprising turn at the end and I was just a bit disappointed. I appreciated the multiple POVs and the quick chapters and steady action. Each character had a very unique take on the situations presented and a many perspectives were presented. Korman tackles life choices in this book from dieting, physical fitness and time management, to consumerism and mindfulness, to parenting, friendship and animal rights. I can't say I was thrilled with all of the outcomes of the story, but it was fun and action-packed...what can I say other than I'm a parent/teacher not a kid.

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.

Gordon Korman knows his audience, Tweens. Jett is the son of a Tech Billionaire that is sent to Oasis to Unplug. Yes that means NO TECHNOLOGY AT ALL! After a rocky start and some secret trips in a "borrowed" boat. Jett learns there is more to life than technology and causing trouble. Told from different points of view, it is a fast read that 5-7 grade readers will enjoy.

I received this e-ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This one got off to a little bit of a slow start but skidded its way through to the end. I think a lot of readers will love the action packed finish.

This book was funny and sad at the same time. I loved how the different characters bonded, but also how some people doubted each other until the end. This book contained so many major plot twists that were so fun to figure out and I loved the different characters speaking. This book was so fun to read. It's perfect for readers ages 9-12.

My students and I are huge fans of middle grade author Gordon Korman. I preorder his books with absolutely no hesitations knowing they will be entertaining, timely, and appropriate. When NetGalley had his upcoming book, Unplugged, available I jumped at the chance to request it and was awarded a copy of the eARC.

It is the story of Jett Baranov, son of a tech billionaire, who is shipped off to a wellness, growth mindset retreat in the backwoods of Arkansas. Jett is constantly getting himself into major trouble and was named the most spoiled child in Silicon Valley. Oasis, the rural retreat, is anything but a sanctuary for Jett and many of the kids there. All of their electronics are confiscated upon arrival and all food is healthy vegetarian fare, no candy or sugar allowed. Needless to say, Jett does not adjust very well. Thanks to the discovery of a strange lizard, Needles, Jett and the other kids bond over its care. Jett manages to actually establish some friendships as he rebels against the retreat’s philosophies and gets himself into trouble.

I flew through this book and I know my students will too. Kids will enjoy the multiple perspectives with chapters being told by different characters. They will also relate to the difficulties of being banned from their electronics. Students may also connect with how having a project or task with a team leads to empathy and understanding. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this one and get some feedback from kids.

As of fan of Gordon Korman’s work, I was interested in this latest book for my fourth grade students. The idea of being “unplugged” and not being able to use technology when it is such an important part of our lives is definitely an important topic to be explored, especially for kids who get more and more addicted and parents requesting help in limiting screen time. My first thoughts upon starting this book is that I got major Holes vibes – a kid sent away to a camp to be punished but secrets and ulterior motives are hidden beneath the surface. I liked the twists at the end revealing the true identity of some of the characters. I think the kids in my class will enjoy this book.