INFLUENCED by Sarah Darer Littman & Cindy L. Otis

 

INFLUENCED is a timely book about the perils of online scrolling especially for teens. Authors Littman and Otis tell a tension-filled story about two girls who connect online and how each of their lives is forever changed.

Lainey isn't looking forward to tenth grade. Surviving school won't be the same without her twin brother Aidan. After their parents' divorce, Aidan chose to move from the east coast to California to live with their father. Lainey has always been the shy one and has relied on Aidan to speak up for her. Now that she's on her own, she is finding it difficult to connect with her usual friends who seem to be going their separate ways this year.

While using the internet, Lainey stumbles across a video that has gone viral. It is a video of a girl in a wheelchair whose two friends help her out when her wheelchair breaks down. Thousands of people are commenting on the video, some positively and others with mean remarks about people with disabilities.

Lainey begins exchanging DMs with the girl known as Bliss. She is a good listener, and the more Lainey connects with her the more Bliss seems to understand Lainey.

Bliss (Elizabeth) can't believe how her videos have exploded online. She begins getting sponsorship offers and her followers are soon over 500,000+. Her parents become involved as managers of her online presence. Neither Bliss nor Lainey ever imagined how out of control the situation can become.

INFLUENCED is perfect for YA readers. This story will help internet users understand the power of influencers and the power of exposing our lives online. This is a must-have for classroom, school, and public libraries.

THE EYES & THE IMPOSSIBLE by Dave Eggers

 

THE EYES & THE IMPOSSIBLE by Dave Eggers is the perfect book for animal lovers. Set in an urban park (I pictured Central Park), Johannes is a dog left to roam the park freely. He acts as the "Eyes" for the rest of the animals who live in the confines of the park. He reports daily to the three buffalo living in a preserved area of the park. His reports help keep life for the animals under control, or what is considered to be the Equilibrium of the park.

When mysterious rectangles appear in an area of the park where a new building is being constructed, Johannes isn't sure how to deal with this. He is fascinated by the rectangles which interfere with his responsibilities as the "Eyes." He is even so distracted that he is captured and put on a leash. How could this happen? He is also stunned to learn that there has been a coyote sighted in the area.

With the help of the racoons, squirrels, birds, and more, Johannes escapes and begins to solve the mystery of the rectangles. Adventure, humor, and all out nature are found in this wonderful book. Included with the narrative are two-page spreads of beautiful illustrations to help readers understand Johannes's journey.