Firewallers

by Simon Packham

Jess returns from a nightmare day at school to find her dad's been suspended from work and gone into hiding. To escape the slobbering newshounds all eager for the full story, Mum drags Jess and her sister off to a remote Scottish island. Modern technology's forbidden, and there's only a bunch of teenage über geeks for company. Without Facebook or even her mobile, Jess feels totally disconnected­ from everybody back home. But why are they there anyway? What are they really running away from?

Genres: Young Adult

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2013

About the author

Simon Packham has written several highly acclaimed books for young people, including 'Silenced', which was shortlisted for multiple awards, 'comin 2 gt' u, a novel about cyberbullying and World War Two which is read widely in German schools, and 'Firewallers', chosen as one of The Independent’s children’s books of the year.

His first middle-grade novel, 'Has Anyone Seen Archie Ebbs?' (Firefly) was selected for the Empathy Lab’s 2023 Reading Collection and shortlisted for The Stockton Children’s Book of the Year and The James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award. His latest book 'Worrybot' (UCLan) was described by Kitty Empire of The Observer as, ‘a gentle but profound story about friendships, confidence and school refusal with an absolutely audacious plot twist'.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up for 20p from the discards rack at Lerwick library and read it in one night in a caravan in Bridge End, Shetland Islands. Remote as my situation was, it was nothing compared to the Dawdlers’ commune on the Isle of Sloth. A fun, light read during a vacation on a remote Scottish island!

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Readgig for my copy!





Can her life get any worse? Jess returns from a nightmare day at school to find her dad's suspended from work and gone into hiding. To escape the slobbering newshounds all eager for the full story, Mum drags Jess and her sister off to a remote Scottish Island. Modern technology's forbidden, and there's only a bunch of teenage uber geeks for company. Without Facebook or even her mobile, Jess feels totally disconnected from everybody back home. And why are they there anyway? What are they really running away from?





It was quite a good read. At first, I thought this book was going to contain a bit of supernatural because of the secrets and mystery but eventually, no supernatural beings appeared in the book.


This book was very great at setting the scene as I just felt weirded out throughout the whole time Jess was on the island like I was actually there.





I felt like the pace of the story was really fast and due to that, I didn’t get to know the characters as well. I basically didn’t particularly like anyone or absolutely hate anyone... maybe just felt sorry for them.





I would’ve liked if relationships in this book was further explored but overall, it was a fun book to read and the story is very unique.





Rating- 3/5

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.
Firewallers is an enjoyable young adult read. It was quite light and easy to read, written in a way that was humorous and reminiscent for us older readers but relate-able for the readers it is aimed at.

I really liked the idea of running away to a remote Scottish island where no technology was allowed and thought it worked well with the storyline.
I did find some of the storyline and characters lacked a bit of depth and felt the final part of the book was slightly rushed.

I'm glad I was given the chance to read Firewallers and will take the opportunity to read more by Simon Packham if I can.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unexpectedly good read.

The main character Jess is hilariously sardonic and spits out cutting remarks to all and sundry. However, the real humour is in the way this story picks up on the nuances of 21st century living and pokes fun.

Underpinning the hilarity of the situation is a dark story which is surprisingly moving. An ordinary family has been torn apart and we watch how each member copes with the fallout. This book deals with love in its many forms and gives an amusing and smile-inducing view of the modern teenager.

Refreshing teen fiction!

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely one of those read-in-one-sitting kind of books. I managed to guess about 60% of the twists/reveals before they came but the two I didn't guess made up for the rest because they really packed a punch. Interesting insights into the technology vs. nature debate mixed with a thrilling tale of deception.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid teen read. Some subject matter might perturb some parents but nothing is explicit or gratuitous. Social media at the heart of a tale reminiscent of The Railway Children!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book as far out if my comfort zone as Jess was on that island. Not the type of book I would normally choose to read but so glad I did, very enjoyable and thought provoking read.

[Kirsty · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not grabbing me at the moment so moving on

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Main character rather unlikeable IMHO but an engaging voice and interesting to see how young people are depicted as not handling being separated from their devices etc

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different.