e-Audio, 07:10:36
Narrated by: Lexi Underwood & Mark Turetsky
Release Date: June 4, 2024
Published by: Scholastic Inc.
Read from: June 16-17, 2024
Stand-alone
Source: Library’s Libby
Content Warning: Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Self harm, Outing
For Readers Interested In: Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, YA, Stand-alone, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Black)This amazing collaboration brings together two inspirational Black artists, NYT bestselling author Ashley Woodfolk and actress Lexi Underwood, for a story about the transformative power of art as protest and its capacity to change the world.
When Jordyn Jones transfers to Edgewood High, it’s her opportunity to forget everything that happened at her old school. To forget what she and her friends did. To forget who she used to be. That was a different person — this is a fresh start. Now she’s someone new, someone better.
Except it’s the very first day of school, and somehow everyone already seems to know who she is. But Jordyn soon finds a group of friends, and she even starts talking to Izaiah, a soccer star who shares her love of art. Life is good. That’s until an anonymous podcast called Tomcat Tea begins revealing humiliating secrets about Edgewood students, ruining their reputations and in some cases their futures. Jordyn and her friends know they have to do something—and this is Jordyn’s chance to prove to herself that she’s changed.
Jordyn’s plan to take down the podcast throws her into the spotlight, and as the momentum builds, so do the risks—because Jordyn has a secret of her own, one that could ruin everything . . . and that a mysterious harasser online is threatening to expose.
With riveting prose, New York Times bestselling author Ashley Woodfolk and acclaimed actress Lexi Underwood balance an insightful depiction of the power of art as protest with asking some of the biggest questions facing teenagers today—in an era where mistakes can be picked over endlessly online, who is worthy of forgiveness? Can someone ever really change?
*MY THOUGHTS*
This wasn’t bad, it was just really like…basic for lack of a better word. There wasn’t anything new that it offered to bullying and those suffering from it. And the story was basically the same, got caught, switched schools, it caught up to her. It was just fine.
The other half of this story, the unknown podcaster was the part that I loved the most. I didn’t guess who it was, so that was good. I think I realized who it was at the same time she did. That part was good. I liked the way they changed the voices and used the tech in the audio as well. I love any type of audiobook that uses the board and adds effects. And in a book like this, it was a must. I’m glad they used it. The person who was doing it was a hypocrite and a piece of work. I think if I had rolled my eyes any harder while they were talking, they would have rolled out of my head.
Like I said in the intro, the bullying part was basic and it really didn’t have to be. SMALL SPOILER: Although she wasn’t the main one doing it, she was guilty by association. But that was never talked about. Why wouldn’t you talk about that? I mean you brought it up and made sure she said she just sat there, why not give a small talk/lesson about what that means? I mean I know she said she felt bad, but she needed some kind of parental something. They were too busy telling her to move on from that school and what happened instead of telling her that in certain states, with some crimes, she could have been arrested for just being in the vicinity.
Then there was the racist teacher. Was he there just to be a distraction? Just to show how the two of them became friends? There was potential for that to be explored as well. Even if it was just to show that the kids wouldn’t be believed.Yeah they had some of that convo in the class, but it wasn’t explored more than that and it could have been. (And no I don’t think this book HAD to teach us about race, I’m Black I know what racism is. But you all brought it up. Why give this watery explanation?)
I guess what I’m trying to say is this book just left me wanting more. It wasn’t bad and the writing style was ok, but every thing that happened in this book has happened in something else before. And usually I think like, “Ok well that makes sense. I read over 200 books a year. Something’s going to be the same. But this was too much of the same and it got monotonous.
Overall, I gave this
More like a 3.25