Averil Offline

“Two kids rebel against intrusive surveillance. . . . Averil and Max’s burgeoning friendship is well developed and will pull in readers. Parks also deftly grapples with relevant issues, such as the sexism that women and girls in STEM often face, the overwhelming presence of technology in our lives, and young people’s need for autonomy. . . . An absorbing tale of determination, friendship, and tech gone wrong.”

“A good fit for those who appreciate stories where kids have plenty to teach, and it’s the adults who should sit down and listen. Averil’s struggle to find her voice is a connection point, even for readers whose lives don’t look like hers. Parks expertly paints a picture of how gender discrimination affects students, while also illustrating the power of advocacy and autonomy wrapped up in a thrilling tech adventure.”

“While the puzzle-solving elements à la Mr. Lemoncello’s Library make an easy draw for mystery-loving kids, Parks’ portrayal of helicopter parenting and smartphone-enabled surveillance will ring true for many tweens. The book is strongest when Averil is slowly unpacking the ways this surveillance has stunted her emotions, unable at first to express anger or anything else for fear of how adults will react, and so desperate for independence she’s willing to abandon her phone completely if it means finding freedom. . . . Averil is a compelling character grappling with being underestimated as a…