Katie Friedman Gives Up Texting! (And Lives to Tell About It.)

November 15, 2014
A texting gaffe leads to tumult for middle schooler Katie. The tale opens with a wry glimpse at Katie's technology-driven existence, documenting the flurry of texting, posting and so on that consumes Katie's time. Disaster occurs when Katie accidentally sends a text meant for BFF Charlie Joe containing careless remarks about her current boyfriend, Nareem, to Nareem instead. An aspiring songwriter, Katie transforms her remorse into the lyrics of a new song. When hometown rock star-and Katie's favorite musician-Jane (of Plain Jane fame) learns of Katie's predicament, she proposes a challenge. If Katie can convince 10 friends to join her in eschewing their phones for one week, the group will be invited to Jane's concert, where she will play Katie's song. Greenwald explores the complications inherent in relying upon technology as a substitute for genuine social engagement, comically highlighting both the pitfalls and the benefits of modern communication practices. Katie's project ultimately brings together a disparate group of middle school students whose efforts to get by without their phones result in meaningful discoveries about one another and themselves. Coovert's illustrations convey Katie's spunky personality, capturing both her mishaps and triumphs. Fans of the Charlie Joe Jackson series will enjoy the evolving changes in Charlie Joe and Katie's friendship. With wit and perception, Greenwald reminds readers that there is communication beyond their electronics. (Fiction. 10-13)

COPYRIGHT(2014) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2014

Gr 4-7-Katie Friedman's day begins the same way it does for many middle schoolers: she eats cereal, gets dressed, and rides the bus to school, all while texting with her friends. One day, she sends a message meant for a friend to her boyfriend, Nareem, about how she wants to break up with him. This embarrassing mix-up, coupled with the anti-technology views of her favorite singer, lead Katie to give up texting for a week, and she tries to convince 10 friends to do it with her. The incentive: backstage passes to see her favorite band. The kids end up enjoying the "real communication" that occurs when they put their phones away, but they also miss the perks of cell phones-from coordinating rides home to the quick pick-me-up of a funny text from a friend. Greenwald's message is clear: what matters is being honest and connecting with each other regardless of what medium is used. The quick pacing and well-described world make up for the potentially didactic nature of the subject. The plot is somewhat contrived, but fans of Charlie Joe Jackson's world will enjoy getting to spend more time with these characters. Small black-and-white cartoons are scattered throughout.-Gesse Stark-Smith, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.