MIDDLE SCHOOL ADVENTURE FICTION : Unplugged by Gordon Korman

53441112
 
ABOUT THE BOOK
 
 From New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman comes a hilarious middle grade novel about a group of kids forced to “unplug” at a wellness camp—where they instead find intrigue, adventure, and a whole lot of chaos. Perfect for fans of Korman’s The Unteachables, the Masterminds series, and Carl Hiaasen’s eco mysteries.

As the son of the world’s most famous tech billionaire, Jett Baranov has always gotten exactly what he wanted. So, when his father’s private jet drops him in the middle of Little Rock, Arkansas, at a wellness camp called the Oasis, Jett can’t believe it. He’s forced to hand over his cell phone, eat grainy veggie patties, and participate in wholesome activities with the other kids.

At the Oasis, he meets Grace, who is his polar opposite. She thrives in the wellness atmosphere and resents Jett’s terrible attitude. Then there’s Tyrell, who suffers from a dizzying list of food allergies that render him constantly itchy. And also Brooklynne, a girl who definitely seems to be hiding something.

As the weeks go on, Jett starts to get used to the unplugged life and even bonds with the other kids over their discovery of a baby lizard-turned-pet, Needles. But he can’t help noticing that the adults at the Oasis are acting really strange…

Jett is determined to get to the bottom of things, but can he convince the other kids that he is no longer just a spoiled brat making trouble?
 
REVIEW
 
Gordon Korman has written another entertaining novel that many middle grade readers are bound to enjoy.  Told from the perspective of multiple characters, readers are plunked down at a wellness camp named the Oasis along with a kid named Jett Baranov.  Jett is the son of a tech billionaire and proudly admits to being a spoiled brat.  Having finally pushed his neglectful father too far, he's been banished to a camp where electronics are banned.  Outraged, Jett steals back his phone and uses his credit card to order a whole bunch of expensive items, which immediately get sent back, except the fireworks.
 
Jett's antics lead to conflict with several of the other kid campers including Grace, who adores the camp, and Brandon, who would flatten Jett if he got the chance.  But Tyrell with his allergies gallore finds Jett fascinating and Brooklynn is occupied keeping her secret.  The kids come together around a lizard that Grace finds in the hot springs and rescues.  The kids sneak out of camp to get supplies to feed their new found pet, Needles.  Just as friendships are forming, Needles goes missing, and Jett, sticking his nose where it doesn't belong discovers that all is not right at the camp.  Ivory, the second in charge, and adored by pretty much everyone at the camp, seems to be up to something.  When his 'friends' won't believe him it becomes up to Jett to save the day or blow it up.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed this rather outlandish tale of youthful mischief.  I had to admire the characters creativity if not the sometimes obnoxious behavior.  And yet, despite Jett's brattiness, he is the one to notice that something is dreadfully wrong.  The different points of view provided a variety of different perspectives, and boy, were there some diametrically opposed perspectives.  I found it interesting the way the lizard brought the kids together despite their vast differences in behavior and opinion.  The scenes with the lizard were amusing because it quickly became clear that there was more to the lizard than there appeared to be.  Korman does a nice job of hinting at what is to come without giving away the rather dramatic twists and turns that occur frequently.  An engaging, amusing tale that while not entirely believable is vastly entertaining. 

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