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Digital Me
Megan doesn't want to lose her best friend Sara, her closest companion at Squirrel Hill High, but Sara's new popularity on the social network "Digital Me" threatens to tear them apart.
Sara wants to Connect with Squirrel Hill High's most popular guy, Josh, on "Digital Me," but in the digital world, not everything's as it seems.
Jaron wants to hack into "Digital Me" to prove his worth to the global hacker community, but living in Russia leaves him blocked behind a digital iron curtain.
"Digital Me" -- Where these three lives collide in a way that's only possible in the brave new digital world.
A Young Adult Realistic Fiction novel.
Note to Parents/Guardians: "Digital Me" does not contain explicit language or mature scenes. References are made to photographs that contain "inappropriate" interactions between a male and a female student, but details of this interaction are never specified.
Sara wants to Connect with Squirrel Hill High's most popular guy, Josh, on "Digital Me," but in the digital world, not everything's as it seems.
Jaron wants to hack into "Digital Me" to prove his worth to the global hacker community, but living in Russia leaves him blocked behind a digital iron curtain.
"Digital Me" -- Where these three lives collide in a way that's only possible in the brave new digital world.
A Young Adult Realistic Fiction novel.
Note to Parents/Guardians: "Digital Me" does not contain explicit language or mature scenes. References are made to photographs that contain "inappropriate" interactions between a male and a female student, but details of this interaction are never specified.
- GenresYoung Adult
180 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2013
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Varner
4 books18 followers
Subscribe to J.M. Varner's Email List for Updates
With the days of international travel behind him, J. M. Varner now exercises his language skills in his English classroom and on the page. A second life as an author affords him another way to encourage his students and fans to read, write, and think independently.
Borrowing terms from noted media critic Neil Postman, Mr. Varner summarizes his ‘Philosophy of Fiction’:
Mr. Varner is currently writing the next novel in the “Squirrel Hill High” series, a series launched with the debut novel, “Digital Me”. Set in a fictional high school located in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at Squirrel Hill High students and teachers live through true-to-life drama in the emotionally charged environment of the American high school.
Contact Information:
Email: JMVarnerBooks at gmail dot com
Subscribe to J.M. Varner's Email List for Updates
Amazon Author Central Profile for J. M. Varner
J. M. Varner on Goodreads
With the days of international travel behind him, J. M. Varner now exercises his language skills in his English classroom and on the page. A second life as an author affords him another way to encourage his students and fans to read, write, and think independently.
Borrowing terms from noted media critic Neil Postman, Mr. Varner summarizes his ‘Philosophy of Fiction’:
“Writing a novel is a creative process of World Building and Word Weaving. Authors build worlds in our minds; these can be fantastical worlds or fictionalized variations of our own reality. By writing and rewriting, we weave these worlds into words on the page.”
Mr. Varner is currently writing the next novel in the “Squirrel Hill High” series, a series launched with the debut novel, “Digital Me”. Set in a fictional high school located in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at Squirrel Hill High students and teachers live through true-to-life drama in the emotionally charged environment of the American high school.
Contact Information:
Email: JMVarnerBooks at gmail dot com
Subscribe to J.M. Varner's Email List for Updates
Amazon Author Central Profile for J. M. Varner
J. M. Varner on Goodreads
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 11, 2024
ENGLISH: School novel about teenagers glued to a social network, which warns about the dangers this can lead them to. It seems a little far-fetched that Josh's partygoers don't remember that Sara wasn't there. It is not clear why Sara has almost the same name as the famous actress. A whim of her mother?
I think the problem is underrated. The real situation seems more serious than what this book presents. There have been cases of death (suicide) from causes similar to what happens to Sara here.
On this topic I recommend reading Old Men Don't Walk to Egypt: Saint Joseph by Corinna Turner.
ESPAÑOL: Novela de colegio de adolescentes pegados a una red social, que avisa sobre los peligros a que esto puede llevarlos. Parece un poco inverosímil que los asistentes a la fiesta de Josh no recuerden que Sara no estuvo allí. No se aclara por qué Sara se llama casi igual que la famosa actriz. ¿Un capricho de su madre?
Creo que el problema está subestimado. La situación real me parece más grave de lo que presenta este libro. Ha habido casos de muerte (suicidio) por causas semejantes a lo que aquí le ocurre a Sara.
Sobre este tema recomiendo la lectura de Old Men Don't Walk to Egypt: Saint Joseph by Corinna Turner.
I think the problem is underrated. The real situation seems more serious than what this book presents. There have been cases of death (suicide) from causes similar to what happens to Sara here.
On this topic I recommend reading Old Men Don't Walk to Egypt: Saint Joseph by Corinna Turner.
ESPAÑOL: Novela de colegio de adolescentes pegados a una red social, que avisa sobre los peligros a que esto puede llevarlos. Parece un poco inverosímil que los asistentes a la fiesta de Josh no recuerden que Sara no estuvo allí. No se aclara por qué Sara se llama casi igual que la famosa actriz. ¿Un capricho de su madre?
Creo que el problema está subestimado. La situación real me parece más grave de lo que presenta este libro. Ha habido casos de muerte (suicidio) por causas semejantes a lo que aquí le ocurre a Sara.
Sobre este tema recomiendo la lectura de Old Men Don't Walk to Egypt: Saint Joseph by Corinna Turner.
February 14, 2014
I recently finished reading Digital Me by J.M. Varner, the story focuses on students at Squirrel Hill High school and their use of their new online social network service, Digital Me.
Best friends Sara and Megan are not exactly popular at school but that doesn’t bother them as they have each-other, they spend all their time together and have since they were young, but all this changes once Sara logs onto the school social network.
Sara loves Megan but she wants to get to know her crush at school, Josh. But as he is the most popular boy in school and she isn’t in his social circles she decides that online would be the best way to implement her plan. As Sara spends more time online she becomes more and more popular but this pushes Megan away, if only Megan understood.
Megan comes from a strict family that doesn’t allow the use of technology, because of this she has no idea what Sara is getting involved in and this worries Megan a lot.
I enjoyed this book and thought the twists in the storyline were great. i would say that the story is definitely for younger readers but i think most can sail through the book easily. At times i wanted to shout at the characters to speak to each other or don’t do this or that but that's a good sign to show that the story is keeping your attention, but above all i liked that the story can teach us all a really good lesson regarding social networks.
I would definitely recommend this book especially to younger readers, i think those especially will enjoy this book and will hopefully help them to be cautious online.
I hope this review has helped you, can you please rate it positively if you liked it as it really means a lot to me, Many Thanks for reading:)
*I was given an ebook copy of this by the author in exchange for an honest review, thank you J.M. Varner.
August 10, 2014
3.5 stars!
I thank the author for allowing me to read this book.
So the book focuses on technological advancement and how people have become addicted to it. This isn't far from the reality where nowadays, people are obsessed with posting their mundane thoughts and activities on Facebook as well as taking selfie after selfie to post in Instagram.
I admit, I do post my angry thoughts on Facebook but I do it with class and as rarely as possible. I probably post something once or twice a week. And selfies? Only when the event is memorable. I don't even have an Instagram or Twitter account. But at the risk of sounding even more defensive, my point is that there is more to life than social media.
Sara was glued to her Digital Me account like so many people are these days. I can't even walk into a restaurant without hearing someone demand a wifi access passcode.
This book goes on to showcase the importance of real life connections and the negative side of social media. I had hoped to read more nitty gritty details but I enjoyed the book thoroughly.
I recommend this book to everyone, especially the younger generation.
I thank the author for allowing me to read this book.
So the book focuses on technological advancement and how people have become addicted to it. This isn't far from the reality where nowadays, people are obsessed with posting their mundane thoughts and activities on Facebook as well as taking selfie after selfie to post in Instagram.
I admit, I do post my angry thoughts on Facebook but I do it with class and as rarely as possible. I probably post something once or twice a week. And selfies? Only when the event is memorable. I don't even have an Instagram or Twitter account. But at the risk of sounding even more defensive, my point is that there is more to life than social media.
Sara was glued to her Digital Me account like so many people are these days. I can't even walk into a restaurant without hearing someone demand a wifi access passcode.
This book goes on to showcase the importance of real life connections and the negative side of social media. I had hoped to read more nitty gritty details but I enjoyed the book thoroughly.
I recommend this book to everyone, especially the younger generation.
February 2, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
All kids these days have been warned about the importance of discretion on the internet. Most, however, have not witnessed or experienced any situations personally that would prove why being careful is so important. This book gives one such example. And it does so in such an initially innocent way that the same situation could have happened to anyone, making it hit even closer to home.
Sara couldn’t wait for the social networking site Digital Me to be opened to high school students (think Facebook in 2005). Soon she is consumed in the online world, creating her own new persona and alienating her few real-life friends in the process. When a computer hacker across the globe targets Sara and her friends, things spiral out of control very quickly in this novel that serves as a warning of the dangers of personal information on the internet.
My only concern with this book is that the target audience might not have witnessed the significance first hand of Facebook opening up to high school students. I remember this being a huge deal, and could therefore relate to this book on a personal level. However, I love that this book can still be applicable today, nearly ten years later. The only possible mature situation in the book was merely implied, so I love that this book can also be suitable for middle school students who will soon be able to create their own Facebook accounts.
All kids these days have been warned about the importance of discretion on the internet. Most, however, have not witnessed or experienced any situations personally that would prove why being careful is so important. This book gives one such example. And it does so in such an initially innocent way that the same situation could have happened to anyone, making it hit even closer to home.
Sara couldn’t wait for the social networking site Digital Me to be opened to high school students (think Facebook in 2005). Soon she is consumed in the online world, creating her own new persona and alienating her few real-life friends in the process. When a computer hacker across the globe targets Sara and her friends, things spiral out of control very quickly in this novel that serves as a warning of the dangers of personal information on the internet.
My only concern with this book is that the target audience might not have witnessed the significance first hand of Facebook opening up to high school students. I remember this being a huge deal, and could therefore relate to this book on a personal level. However, I love that this book can still be applicable today, nearly ten years later. The only possible mature situation in the book was merely implied, so I love that this book can also be suitable for middle school students who will soon be able to create their own Facebook accounts.
February 6, 2014
This is a good book to have your children read and discuss with you before allowing them to have a Facebook or similar social account. It is a soft lecture wrapped in subtle warnings attempting to reach preteens regarding potential real world consequences. With no truly traumatizing or explicit situations the author leaves it as a jumping off point for parents to broach the topic with their elementary or middle school children. It was well written and relevant.
January 14, 2014
This book really hit home with my up rising fears of how cell phone and social networking effects all of us and how it can damage youth in such a way. Congratulations J.M. Varner you have a fan you have made for many life discussions with my fiance and our future children, you made me feel the electronic immersion and fears for the realities it holds.
January 17, 2014
I really quite enjoyed this book and was sucked strait into it after the first few pages. I recommend this book to every one.
Though I lived it I thought the wasnt as great as the built up I still loved it. I received this book free from the author to review!!
Though I lived it I thought the wasnt as great as the built up I still loved it. I received this book free from the author to review!!
August 18, 2014
(I was given this book in exchange for an honest review)
Spoilers-ish ahead
While the writing style seems more fit for junior high, high school students I believe everyone should read this book.
We follow Sara a teenager who's life change the day she register in the hottest social media of the moment, Digital Me. Helping her become who she wants and communicate with people she wouldn't talk to in real life (even the playboy star of the school), Digital Me is Sara's new haven especially now that she is one of the most "connected" student of her school. Despite costing her her BFF Sara's addiction for the social network is unstoppable. Things turn sour however, when she discovers some unknown person has manipulated her Digital Me account against her will.
Today' society being obsessed by showing off their lives, sharing pictures, videos, opinions...tends to forget how their own lives can be turned against them. Digital Me is great way to inform the youngest of us of the danger of sharing their lives. Not only it is dangerous in terms of identity stolen by people living thousands miles away but it is also dangerous in terms of one's true identity. As we see Sara struggling to make both her real and digital life match, we become aware of the horrible things we do to ourselves everyday.
Digital Me also teaches us to be careful on what people say about themselves behind a computer. We never see the whole picture and it is so easy to lie when no one is beside you.
Finally it reminds us to keep an actual life, outside of social networks because if one day somthing happen only your real friends will be their for you.
Digital Me was a great book with an important message to send. I think it should be on the mandatory reading list of holidays for school, with an extra work on the subject to raise awareness among the kids and teenagers of what can happen online.
Spoilers-ish ahead
While the writing style seems more fit for junior high, high school students I believe everyone should read this book.
We follow Sara a teenager who's life change the day she register in the hottest social media of the moment, Digital Me. Helping her become who she wants and communicate with people she wouldn't talk to in real life (even the playboy star of the school), Digital Me is Sara's new haven especially now that she is one of the most "connected" student of her school. Despite costing her her BFF Sara's addiction for the social network is unstoppable. Things turn sour however, when she discovers some unknown person has manipulated her Digital Me account against her will.
Today' society being obsessed by showing off their lives, sharing pictures, videos, opinions...tends to forget how their own lives can be turned against them. Digital Me is great way to inform the youngest of us of the danger of sharing their lives. Not only it is dangerous in terms of identity stolen by people living thousands miles away but it is also dangerous in terms of one's true identity. As we see Sara struggling to make both her real and digital life match, we become aware of the horrible things we do to ourselves everyday.
Digital Me also teaches us to be careful on what people say about themselves behind a computer. We never see the whole picture and it is so easy to lie when no one is beside you.
Finally it reminds us to keep an actual life, outside of social networks because if one day somthing happen only your real friends will be their for you.
Digital Me was a great book with an important message to send. I think it should be on the mandatory reading list of holidays for school, with an extra work on the subject to raise awareness among the kids and teenagers of what can happen online.
July 30, 2020
***I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review***
‘Digital Me’ follows the story of three teenagers, Sara, Megan & Jaron. It is a very interesting read, albeit a short one. It is quite a fast read. I really enjoyed it, and read it within a few hours.
Nowadays, kids are addicted to the online world, and sites like Facebook and Twitter. There is a new app released, and it is Digital Me, which Sara Parker is very excited for. However, her best friend, Megan, is not so excited, as she is afraid that she might lose her best friend to the online world. Sara ignores Megan’s warnings, and soon gets immersed in Digital Me, and begins to ignore her friend. Megan tries in vain to warn her, but her words fall to deaf ears.
This is a really good book. It is very meaningful. It is written in a simple manner, nothing very extravagant. The pacing of the story is also good. The title of the book is appropriate, and the cover is also quite good. The plot is also very interesting, yet I wanted to know what actually would have happened in the end.
The characters aren’t my favorite part of the story as they didn’t interest me much. My attention, most of the time, was focused on the plot. They were nice, I guess, but I didn’t connect much with them. Sara, who, at times, took very rash decisions, matures by the end of the book. Megan is the nerdy best friend seen in most of the books, who tries to help Sara, but Sara ignores her. Leo was one of the characters whom I liked the most in this book. I am not a fan of Jaron, enough said.
Overall, this is a great book, and I give it 3.5 stars. I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series, Mister Teacher Person :D
‘Digital Me’ follows the story of three teenagers, Sara, Megan & Jaron. It is a very interesting read, albeit a short one. It is quite a fast read. I really enjoyed it, and read it within a few hours.
Nowadays, kids are addicted to the online world, and sites like Facebook and Twitter. There is a new app released, and it is Digital Me, which Sara Parker is very excited for. However, her best friend, Megan, is not so excited, as she is afraid that she might lose her best friend to the online world. Sara ignores Megan’s warnings, and soon gets immersed in Digital Me, and begins to ignore her friend. Megan tries in vain to warn her, but her words fall to deaf ears.
This is a really good book. It is very meaningful. It is written in a simple manner, nothing very extravagant. The pacing of the story is also good. The title of the book is appropriate, and the cover is also quite good. The plot is also very interesting, yet I wanted to know what actually would have happened in the end.
The characters aren’t my favorite part of the story as they didn’t interest me much. My attention, most of the time, was focused on the plot. They were nice, I guess, but I didn’t connect much with them. Sara, who, at times, took very rash decisions, matures by the end of the book. Megan is the nerdy best friend seen in most of the books, who tries to help Sara, but Sara ignores her. Leo was one of the characters whom I liked the most in this book. I am not a fan of Jaron, enough said.
Overall, this is a great book, and I give it 3.5 stars. I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series, Mister Teacher Person :D
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March 30, 2014Mr. Varner's "Digital Me" is not unique in the way of it being about teenagers and their drama, however, it is unique in what causes the drama: Social Networks. There where a few moments within the story that where rather "cliché" ( a note able moment is near the end of the book involving Megan and Sara), though not too many as to make it annoying. On a whole the book is entertaining, and clean. My favorite character was Leo, mainly because he is a rather honest and "gentlemanly" compared to the other boys in our society and in the story. The fact that he goes to great lengths for Megan even though he probably knows he won't get any thing in return. Plus, he is a geek, and geeks are normally pretty smart. Megan is my second favorite character because of the clarity of her surroundings and how much she cares about her friend. Even though it was hard for her to ask for help, she managed to ask Leo for help, making a good combination and team. I would defiantly not mind seeing Leo's character become more in-depth. in a positive way if any sequels were to follow the first book. Mr. Mathews is an admirable teacher who gives out wise advice. Lastly, the vice principle that pops out of nowhere, who couldn't love a vice principle who actually did their job?
August 11, 2014
A cautionary tale for everyone who is on the internet- be careful what you put out on the internet and protect yourself. Although Sara's obsession with Digital Me was annoying, I don't think it was too far off from today's youth. Despite my overwhelming desire to slap Sara in the face, I think it's a good story for everyone to be reminded of.
Recommend for those who like YA, technology, social media!
*I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review*
Recommend for those who like YA, technology, social media!
*I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review*
January 27, 2014
I think this book was awesome! my eyes were glued to it the whole time! it really makes people think about social networking and how it can be dangerous. remember to stay away from hackers! in my opinion, I think this book was really great. you wrote a great book Mr. Varner!
February 3, 2014
What an amazing book Mr. Varner, you did a terrific job writing it. I will always be on my iPhone, iPad, and Mac laptop, but I'll be safe from hackers and others. This book made me realized that. So then again great job with the book and I'm glad to have you as my teacher.
September 14, 2014
This cautionary tale is geared toward middle- and high-school students but has an important message for digital citizens of all ages. It would lend itself well to a classroom or family discussion centering on the differences between the "digital you" and the "real you."
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March 4, 2015this book was amazing i already read the second book and i want to read the third!!!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews