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Finally Seen #2
Finally Heard
From the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk comes the sequel to Finally Seen in which Lina struggles to separate fact from fiction on social media.
When ten-year-old Lina Gao sees her mom’s video on social media take off, she’s captivated by the potential to be seen and heard! Maybe online she can finally find the confidence she craves. Whereas in real life she’s growing so fast, she feels like microwave popcorn, bursting out of her skin!
With the help of her two best friends, Carla and Finn, and her little sister, Millie, Lina sets off to go viral. Except there’s a lot more to social media than Lina ever imagined,
1. Seeing inside her classmates’ lives! Is she really the only person on the planet who doesn’t have a walk-in closet?
2. Group chats! Disappearing videos! Will anyone comment? What’s that emoji mean?
3. A bazillion stories about what to eat, wear, and put on her face. Could they all be telling the truth? Everyone sounds so sure of what they’re saying!
As Lina descends deeper and deeper into social media, it will take all her strength to break free from the likes and find the courage to be her authentic self in this fast-paced world.
When ten-year-old Lina Gao sees her mom’s video on social media take off, she’s captivated by the potential to be seen and heard! Maybe online she can finally find the confidence she craves. Whereas in real life she’s growing so fast, she feels like microwave popcorn, bursting out of her skin!
With the help of her two best friends, Carla and Finn, and her little sister, Millie, Lina sets off to go viral. Except there’s a lot more to social media than Lina ever imagined,
1. Seeing inside her classmates’ lives! Is she really the only person on the planet who doesn’t have a walk-in closet?
2. Group chats! Disappearing videos! Will anyone comment? What’s that emoji mean?
3. A bazillion stories about what to eat, wear, and put on her face. Could they all be telling the truth? Everyone sounds so sure of what they’re saying!
As Lina descends deeper and deeper into social media, it will take all her strength to break free from the likes and find the courage to be her authentic self in this fast-paced world.
368 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2024
211 people are currently reading
3092 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Yang
31 books2,453 followersKelly Yang is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of the FRONT DESK series, winner of the 2019 Asian Pacific American Award for Children's Literature. Her books include FRONT DESK, THREE KEYS, ROOM TO DREAM, PARACHUTES, NEW FROM HERE, and other middle grade and young adult novels. She was born in China and grew up in Los Angeles. She went to college at the age of 13 and graduated from UC Berkeley at the age of 17 and Harvard Law School at the age of 20. After law school, she founded The Kelly Yang Project, a writing and debating program for children in Asia. Prior to becoming a novelist, she wrote for many years for the South China Morning Post, The New York Times, Washington Post, and the Atlantic. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
September 28, 2024
The dangers of social media . Even though legally you must be 13 to use various social media platforms, Lina and most of her 5th grade classmates are using them to say things that that they would not say to each other in real life. In addition, she and her classmates are dealing with developing bodies and first crushes.
March 27, 2024
"Sometimes those who don't deserve our kindness need it the most"
Kelly Yang does it again! I really hope there is more to this series just like her Front Desk series! She just writes such great middle grade novels that bring about issues and conversations that need to be had in a way that is approachable and interesting.
Quick summary: This book follows Finally Seen. Lina and her family are now doing well with their bath bomb business and she is beginning school with her two best friends. Lina still loves to read, is dedicated to her friends and family, and is always willing to lend a helping hand. However, now her body is changing and she is hyperfocused on hiding these changes. In addition to this, she begins to help her mother make videos for their business and gets sucked into the social media cloud - one that comes with conflicting videos of how to handle something, cyberbullying, and peer pressure. Can Lina find a way out of all of this pressure and get back to the amazing, creative person she always was?
I absolutely love that even though we know these characters from the previous book, we do get quite a bit of character development. Lina is changing and so are her friends and classmates; family dynamics are changing with the introduction of her mother's videos and booming business. We also see just how intense social media can be. I am on many different social media sites myself so I already know some of these things but for younger readers who may not have delved into it quite yet, this book could be a really important warning on just how dangerous it can be. Social media can be used to share things like Lina helping make videos to promote businesses. It can be a place to share your favorite things and find other people that enjoy similar things.
But it can very quickly turn negative. As some of her classmates explain, saying something on social media sometimes feels easier because you aren't seeing the other person's reaction. You are just typing words. But it is important to remember that there is another person on the other end reading that and getting hurt. I also really appreciate how Yang integrates one of the teachers, Mrs. Carter, as a way to also explain why social media is so addicting. Even being in my thirties and having social media for over 15 years, I learned a lot from this character on why we get caught in the infinite scroll and why certain videos get shown to us versus others. There are just so many outstanding messages of Internet safety, effects of too much screen time with emphasis on the negative influence of social media, as well as wise lessons on handling conflict face to face rather than through text or chat rooms. These are issues that young readers are dealing with now and this is a novel that can be both entertaining and informative for them.
I cannot wait to see what Yang writes next! I think Yang has continued to do a phenomenal job bringing forth important topics without making the books too adult or too babyish. She also does so in a way that has wonderful characters and character development that you just don't want to put the book down. Definitely my fav author for sure!!
Kelly Yang does it again! I really hope there is more to this series just like her Front Desk series! She just writes such great middle grade novels that bring about issues and conversations that need to be had in a way that is approachable and interesting.
Quick summary: This book follows Finally Seen. Lina and her family are now doing well with their bath bomb business and she is beginning school with her two best friends. Lina still loves to read, is dedicated to her friends and family, and is always willing to lend a helping hand. However, now her body is changing and she is hyperfocused on hiding these changes. In addition to this, she begins to help her mother make videos for their business and gets sucked into the social media cloud - one that comes with conflicting videos of how to handle something, cyberbullying, and peer pressure. Can Lina find a way out of all of this pressure and get back to the amazing, creative person she always was?
I absolutely love that even though we know these characters from the previous book, we do get quite a bit of character development. Lina is changing and so are her friends and classmates; family dynamics are changing with the introduction of her mother's videos and booming business. We also see just how intense social media can be. I am on many different social media sites myself so I already know some of these things but for younger readers who may not have delved into it quite yet, this book could be a really important warning on just how dangerous it can be. Social media can be used to share things like Lina helping make videos to promote businesses. It can be a place to share your favorite things and find other people that enjoy similar things.
But it can very quickly turn negative. As some of her classmates explain, saying something on social media sometimes feels easier because you aren't seeing the other person's reaction. You are just typing words. But it is important to remember that there is another person on the other end reading that and getting hurt. I also really appreciate how Yang integrates one of the teachers, Mrs. Carter, as a way to also explain why social media is so addicting. Even being in my thirties and having social media for over 15 years, I learned a lot from this character on why we get caught in the infinite scroll and why certain videos get shown to us versus others. There are just so many outstanding messages of Internet safety, effects of too much screen time with emphasis on the negative influence of social media, as well as wise lessons on handling conflict face to face rather than through text or chat rooms. These are issues that young readers are dealing with now and this is a novel that can be both entertaining and informative for them.
I cannot wait to see what Yang writes next! I think Yang has continued to do a phenomenal job bringing forth important topics without making the books too adult or too babyish. She also does so in a way that has wonderful characters and character development that you just don't want to put the book down. Definitely my fav author for sure!!
August 27, 2024
It's extremely difficult to create an overall rating for Finally Heard. Overall, it was much more preachy and didactic than Finally Seen, which felt fresh and more authentic to me and to my 11 year old son as readers. We both felt that social media's role in 5th graders' lives was wildly exaggerated, as thankfully in our community most 5th graders do not carry smart phones to school and at least a decent proportion of parents do not allow children that young to be on Tik Tok and Snapchat. Smartphone use does not run rampant throughout the elementary school day, thankfully. (Middle and HS are another story.)
[To any parents who are reading, there is a very simple BRIGHT LINE you can and should hold about social media. If an account's Terms of Service are 13 and older, do not allow a child younger than 13 to have an account!!! Just NO. Hold the line. It is very clear.]
On the other hand, what we felt was realistically and honestly depicted was how quickly adults can get caught up in social media dopamine-chasing, and the negative effects that can have on children whose parents' attention is so divided and preoccupied.
On a very positive note, I also haven't seen any other middle grade book tackle the issue of how quickly a person's self image or information sources can be manipulated and distorted by social media algorithms and what social media giants decide you should see. Yang did an effective job of showing this to her readers and then explaining how dopamine chasing can fuel social media addictions as well as distorted body image and unhealthy fixations on physical imperfections or differences.
It was such a mixed bag of exaggeration, oversimplification, and After School Special lessons (downside) coupled with really useful, relatable information on social media algorithms, brain functioning, and jumping off points for discussions about parental smart phone use (upside) that I'm settling on a 3 out of 5 starts, with many elements that would be 1s and other 5s.
Overall, it's a really useful read for 4th graders and up, and I'd highly recommend it as a family read, either to read together or listen as an audiobook, because it's a great conversation starter, even if some of the conversations are mutual eye rolling about how the Life Lessons are exaggerated and corny...opening the door to the content that resonated and can start great discussions.
I will be adding it to my elementary library collection and recommending it with caveats.
[To any parents who are reading, there is a very simple BRIGHT LINE you can and should hold about social media. If an account's Terms of Service are 13 and older, do not allow a child younger than 13 to have an account!!! Just NO. Hold the line. It is very clear.]
On the other hand, what we felt was realistically and honestly depicted was how quickly adults can get caught up in social media dopamine-chasing, and the negative effects that can have on children whose parents' attention is so divided and preoccupied.
On a very positive note, I also haven't seen any other middle grade book tackle the issue of how quickly a person's self image or information sources can be manipulated and distorted by social media algorithms and what social media giants decide you should see. Yang did an effective job of showing this to her readers and then explaining how dopamine chasing can fuel social media addictions as well as distorted body image and unhealthy fixations on physical imperfections or differences.
It was such a mixed bag of exaggeration, oversimplification, and After School Special lessons (downside) coupled with really useful, relatable information on social media algorithms, brain functioning, and jumping off points for discussions about parental smart phone use (upside) that I'm settling on a 3 out of 5 starts, with many elements that would be 1s and other 5s.
Overall, it's a really useful read for 4th graders and up, and I'd highly recommend it as a family read, either to read together or listen as an audiobook, because it's a great conversation starter, even if some of the conversations are mutual eye rolling about how the Life Lessons are exaggerated and corny...opening the door to the content that resonated and can start great discussions.
I will be adding it to my elementary library collection and recommending it with caveats.
June 5, 2024
it wasn't as good as the first one, but the ending was pretty ok.
April 5, 2024
While I do in fact believe that the concept of the book is good and many young readers may find it interesting to them, I have to bring some things into consideration to help explain my 2 star rating. The book mentions many popular social media apps, Tik-Tok. Discord, Instagram and Snapchat. All very well known amongst today's youth. But I must add that we must consider just how long this book can be enjoyed. What about its relevance? In fifteen or maybe ten years for now, the youths will have a lack of understanding of context to really understand. In one part of the book one of the characters says the word ¨cap¨. A modern day slang word that often means ¨lie¨ or ¨untrue¨. Slang words often change or soon become ¨uncool¨ to use. In a few years that insert that seems modern and cool now will not be. New slang words shall replace it and any usage of that word will have seemed ¨cringe¨(as the youths of today say). Another thing which I would like to add is that I in fact am a 13 year old female. Right in the prime age for using social media. And while I can indeed confirm that many classmates of mine are on social media and I have been asked for my snap numerous times before, the assumption that simply all adolescents are on social media is a blatant lie. Especially considering that the characters in the book are 5th graders,children between the ages of 10-11. Most 5th graders I know do not possess a phone nor do they have social media accounts. The book also does not set a good example to young readers. IN the book the mother of the protagonist starts a social media account and often will get”comments" which range from plain hate to simple things of annoyance. But instead of confronting the comments, or using the opportunity to teach the young impressionable readers about how to deal with criticism, the book simply teaches the readers to just get rid of them , which of course is not a viable option in the real world. Another thing I must add is that the book does not feel like a continuation of the book prior (finally seen). It more feels like a completely separate book written with a point that the author was trying to prove(Just to add this is in no way my saying that the author is not a good one. It is just my review and thoughts on the book and my opinion ipn it) There are characters in the first book that never get brought up again and the issue of Lina very quickly learning english over the span of a semester feels like a form of ¨plot armor¨ as for the author not to have to deal with it in this book.
January 13, 2024
I received an ARC of this book from a webinar giveaway from the publisher. First of all, I absolutely loved this book. It was a wonderful follow-up to Finally Seen. I love how the author tackles the issue of the effects of social media on tweens in our current society and provides research at the end of the book of the effects of social media on kids. This information is so pertinent to me because I am a parent of a child in this age group and am constantly concerned about my child’s online safety and effects of social media on his mental health. Loved how @kellyyang incorporated these issues with her characters Lina, Carla, and Finn. Thank you for giving us this wonderfully relevant book in today’s society.
Read
May 8, 2025There’s didactic and then there’s … this book. The message IS the book and there is zero uncertainty about what Yang is trying to get across to the upper elementary crowd and their parents: phones and social media are powerful and can certainly do more harm than good if not approached cautiously and responsibly. Best for grades 3-5 but some 6th and 7th graders might really appreciate the themes of puberty and not quite being ready for romantic relationships.
Source: Sora audio via WSDLC
Source: Sora audio via WSDLC
February 27, 2024
4 stars
In this latest installment from the gifted and prolific Kelly Yang, readers get to hang out again (because this is the second in a series) with Lina and company. This time, they all have an especially important and timely lesson to share about social media.
Lina, the m.c., has settled into her immediate family and friend group by the time readers catch up with her at the start of her second book. She's growing up, and her body is a constant reminder of this. When the book begins, Lina is hyper focused on the rapid changes she's experiencing, and the uncertainty that's part of puberty really gets exacerbated by something else particular to this generation: social media and resulting cyberbullying. What begins as Lina's mom's attempt to drum up some added bath bomb business turns into a full-scale meltdown for Lina and her friends. These kids cannot control themselves when it comes to checking their phones, posting and interacting on social media, and making a slew of bad and dangerous related decisions. Their struggle is intense and constant.
As usual, Yang evolves her characters organically throughout the book, and the relationships are an absolute highlight. Lina and her sister, Lina and her grandmother, and Lina and her best friend are just some of those that serve as healthy models for readers of all ages. The central motif could not be more timely or important. Yang really dives into the whys and hows of social media, and I particularly enjoyed the scientific approach one of the teachers takes with her students. What did feel uncharacteristically challenging for me - as far as Yang's books are concerned (and I've read literally all of them) - is that this book runs a little too didactic. At times, I found myself too aware of the lessons and less involved in the characters, and that's not a typical experience for me with this writer. I noticed this, too, in some choppy plotting (i.e., Lina's hyper awareness of certain parts of her body moves into a full focus on social media and then a quick and semi clumsy return to that initial focus just before the closing).
While I had minor gripes here, they are outweighed by fantastic characters and of-the-moment material. I am an incoming super fan of this author and am always looking forward to what she will write (and Mia, Lina, and others will do) next!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
In this latest installment from the gifted and prolific Kelly Yang, readers get to hang out again (because this is the second in a series) with Lina and company. This time, they all have an especially important and timely lesson to share about social media.
Lina, the m.c., has settled into her immediate family and friend group by the time readers catch up with her at the start of her second book. She's growing up, and her body is a constant reminder of this. When the book begins, Lina is hyper focused on the rapid changes she's experiencing, and the uncertainty that's part of puberty really gets exacerbated by something else particular to this generation: social media and resulting cyberbullying. What begins as Lina's mom's attempt to drum up some added bath bomb business turns into a full-scale meltdown for Lina and her friends. These kids cannot control themselves when it comes to checking their phones, posting and interacting on social media, and making a slew of bad and dangerous related decisions. Their struggle is intense and constant.
As usual, Yang evolves her characters organically throughout the book, and the relationships are an absolute highlight. Lina and her sister, Lina and her grandmother, and Lina and her best friend are just some of those that serve as healthy models for readers of all ages. The central motif could not be more timely or important. Yang really dives into the whys and hows of social media, and I particularly enjoyed the scientific approach one of the teachers takes with her students. What did feel uncharacteristically challenging for me - as far as Yang's books are concerned (and I've read literally all of them) - is that this book runs a little too didactic. At times, I found myself too aware of the lessons and less involved in the characters, and that's not a typical experience for me with this writer. I noticed this, too, in some choppy plotting (i.e., Lina's hyper awareness of certain parts of her body moves into a full focus on social media and then a quick and semi clumsy return to that initial focus just before the closing).
While I had minor gripes here, they are outweighed by fantastic characters and of-the-moment material. I am an incoming super fan of this author and am always looking forward to what she will write (and Mia, Lina, and others will do) next!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Read
August 5, 2024I was reading this with my 9 year old and didn’t finish it. They felt that it was an unrealistic portrayal of technology use in elementary school and I agreed. Ultimately it was sort of painful to read out loud and not that much was happening. It’s fine for books to have a moral but this one was hitting us over the head, at the expense of the story.
We both adore Kelly Yang and the Front Desk series, so we wanted to stick with this, but ultimately I decided that while the intention and the accompanying conversations about technology were super important and all things that I agreed with, the book just missed the mark. We were sad to put it down in the #DNF pile.
We both adore Kelly Yang and the Front Desk series, so we wanted to stick with this, but ultimately I decided that while the intention and the accompanying conversations about technology were super important and all things that I agreed with, the book just missed the mark. We were sad to put it down in the #DNF pile.
March 17, 2024
In this book, if I had Social Media I would end up like most of the kids in my school depressed, looks at self image badly, anxious, and be horrible. Because I’m not on Social Media I have a clear mind about myself, I’m not depressed or anxious. In this book, without Social Media is better for Lina and her family. I think no one should be on Social Media. It is better to talk and share about stuff in person than online. Be like Lina and her mom and see what Social Media does to you and then leave it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2023
“I want a world in which we’re kind to each other online, all the time.”
📱
Welcome back to ten-year-old Lina Gao’s world from Finally Seen where we now find Lina exploring the world of social media after her mom starts using it to promote their bath bomb business. When her mom and sister’s videos both go viral, Lina decides she wants in on the fun too, despite her recent insecurities about her changing body. When Lina’s mom gives her her old cell phone, it opens Lina to a whole new world of social media, FOMO and cyberbullying she didn’t know existed. As she dives deeper into her social media addiction, it starts to bleed into her personal and school life too.
📱
I’m so glad I read this MG book during #antibullyingweek and #bullypreventionmonth because oh my goodness. Kelly hit the nail on the head with this one. Lina is an older elementary school student, but so many of the behaviors she experienced, my middle schoolers go through too. They need to see the repercussions of this now rather than later when it’s already turned into an addiction because it is one if students are given free rein to be on any site they want to. Kelly gives great advice from her characters, as well as sources in the back with startling statistics. This novel also explores themes of puberty, friendship, trust, classism and crushes in true Kelly Yang fashion. What an amazing title unlike any I’ve read before for middle grade students. This title releases February 27! Preorder it now!
CW: cyberbullying, bullying, disordered eating, body image issues, misinformation, anxiety, catfishing
📱
Welcome back to ten-year-old Lina Gao’s world from Finally Seen where we now find Lina exploring the world of social media after her mom starts using it to promote their bath bomb business. When her mom and sister’s videos both go viral, Lina decides she wants in on the fun too, despite her recent insecurities about her changing body. When Lina’s mom gives her her old cell phone, it opens Lina to a whole new world of social media, FOMO and cyberbullying she didn’t know existed. As she dives deeper into her social media addiction, it starts to bleed into her personal and school life too.
📱
I’m so glad I read this MG book during #antibullyingweek and #bullypreventionmonth because oh my goodness. Kelly hit the nail on the head with this one. Lina is an older elementary school student, but so many of the behaviors she experienced, my middle schoolers go through too. They need to see the repercussions of this now rather than later when it’s already turned into an addiction because it is one if students are given free rein to be on any site they want to. Kelly gives great advice from her characters, as well as sources in the back with startling statistics. This novel also explores themes of puberty, friendship, trust, classism and crushes in true Kelly Yang fashion. What an amazing title unlike any I’ve read before for middle grade students. This title releases February 27! Preorder it now!
CW: cyberbullying, bullying, disordered eating, body image issues, misinformation, anxiety, catfishing
December 20, 2024
4.5/5 stars
Finally Heard is the middle grade sequel to Finally Seen.
It follows 5th grader Lina as she tries to navigate the world of social media. It also deals with her reaching puberty early.
It was nice getting to see Lina and her friends and family again. I really like these characters. It's amazing to see how Lina has gotten used to being in the US (in book 1 she arrives from China).
This book deals with such important and relevant topics. It is shocking to think that cyber-bullying and social media is such a factor for children.
This is a must read for any older elementary school or middle grader. And it's eye-opening for adults as well. After reading this I can see that I definitely need a social media detox.
Finally Heard is the middle grade sequel to Finally Seen.
It follows 5th grader Lina as she tries to navigate the world of social media. It also deals with her reaching puberty early.
It was nice getting to see Lina and her friends and family again. I really like these characters. It's amazing to see how Lina has gotten used to being in the US (in book 1 she arrives from China).
This book deals with such important and relevant topics. It is shocking to think that cyber-bullying and social media is such a factor for children.
This is a must read for any older elementary school or middle grader. And it's eye-opening for adults as well. After reading this I can see that I definitely need a social media detox.
Read
April 2, 2024
Trigger & Content Warnings
Anxiety & disordered eating
Minor cyberbullying
Anxiety & disordered eating
Minor cyberbullying
February 1, 2024
Lina, from Finally Seen, continues to battle the social hierarchy at Winfield Elementary and Kelly Yang uses this playing field to focus on the potential for harm social media and the Internet have on kids and their parents. Main characters still include Lina and her best friends Carla and Finn plus Jessica, the student who joined with her mom in getting Lina’s favorite book/author banned from the school library. Lina’s mom and sister are key players as is favorite teacher, Mrs Carter. The bath bomb business started by the women in the Gao family that seemed to be the answer to the never ending struggle to earn enough cash to pay the bills is floundering and Mom begins an Instagram account to post videos and boost sales. “Modern Mama” is born, sales take off, and Mrs Gao begins to lose herself in producing more and more content, checking her likes, and responding to the negative comments. Lina inherits mom’s old phone and is immediately sucked into the world of chat rooms and videos that flood her feed based on her searches for things related to her changing body which leads to increased feelings of body negativity and obsession with what everyone is or might be saying about her. Mrs. Carter and the school counselor host a Social Media Awareness parent/student evening, cyberbullying and online predators are revealed resulting in damaged relationships. Ultimately, Lina’s family begins to implement limits and changes to their Internet and social media usage and positive change occurs between all of the featured friends and families. Outstanding messages of Internet safety, effects of too much screen time with emphasis on the negative influence of social media, as well as wise lessons on handling conflict face to face rather than through text or chat rooms. Yang keeps her book free of profanity, sexual content and violence and characters represent a wide variety of family configurations, economic strata and ethnic backgrounds. Pair with Sydney Dunlap’s It Happened on Saturday and while more focused on gaming and much more light-hearted, Gordon Korman’s Slacker and Level 13.
Content note: Part of Lina’s body image negativity stems from her fears surrounding puberty and the accompanying breast development and the subject arises frequently. Buying her first bra is a significant event and, by the end of the book, she is viewing the natural changes in a more positive light.
Thanks for the eARC, NetGalley.
Content note: Part of Lina’s body image negativity stems from her fears surrounding puberty and the accompanying breast development and the subject arises frequently. Buying her first bra is a significant event and, by the end of the book, she is viewing the natural changes in a more positive light.
Thanks for the eARC, NetGalley.
July 19, 2024
Kelly Yang is a master of the middle grades novel and this story is no exception. The book tackles the introduction of social media into the middle grades and the impact it is having on the mental health and self esteem of youth while also explaining the science behind it. The story is heart warming relatable and most of all fun! It shows the impact good educators can have when they are willing to adapt their teaching to the needs and interests of their students, the importance of real connection and important conversations between friends and parents and children and the real dangers and consequences that exist. It even includes a chapter at the end of the book with the actual research and science behind social media/screen addiction. This book is so important, a must read for tweens and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
October 26, 2024
My favorite author Kelly Yang!! All of her books are so amazing (my favorite is her stand alone “New From Here”) This book did not disappoint! Though I was pretty surprised how big of an issue social media was for people as young as 5th grade! When I was in 5th grade no one was ever trying to sneak on their phone in class, or had one.
I like how Kelly Yang incorporates fun aspects to story lines but uses issues in the real world without making books feel too intense! The ending was so good with Lina standing up for herself and all of her classmates opening up about the mean things they had been saying online. Overall super sweet book that I really enjoyed reading!
Can’t wait for Front Desk Book 6 coming in June!!
Also, one of my favorite parts has to be when the mom starts filming in IKEA😂😂😂 That was pretty hilarious especially when she falls asleep in the bath tub!s
I like how Kelly Yang incorporates fun aspects to story lines but uses issues in the real world without making books feel too intense! The ending was so good with Lina standing up for herself and all of her classmates opening up about the mean things they had been saying online. Overall super sweet book that I really enjoyed reading!
Can’t wait for Front Desk Book 6 coming in June!!
Also, one of my favorite parts has to be when the mom starts filming in IKEA😂😂😂 That was pretty hilarious especially when she falls asleep in the bath tub!s
January 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Lina wants to help her mom find success in her small business, and when they make a video on instagram, they are shocked to see it go viral! That joy is addictive, so they continue to chase it, helping other small businesses to make videos, while Lina has her own discovery of the highs and lows of social media.
Though I didn't enjoy this one as much as the book before it ("Finally Seen"), I think it's a powerful story to communicate the dangers of social media and WHY it is the way that it is - the appeal, the influence, and the addiction. Lina is a main character you root for, and I just wanted the best for her throughout this whole story.
Lina wants to help her mom find success in her small business, and when they make a video on instagram, they are shocked to see it go viral! That joy is addictive, so they continue to chase it, helping other small businesses to make videos, while Lina has her own discovery of the highs and lows of social media.
Though I didn't enjoy this one as much as the book before it ("Finally Seen"), I think it's a powerful story to communicate the dangers of social media and WHY it is the way that it is - the appeal, the influence, and the addiction. Lina is a main character you root for, and I just wanted the best for her throughout this whole story.
November 28, 2023
Kelly Yang has done it again. I think I love Lena just as much as I love Mia and that's saying something. Here, I was so stressed for Lena as she learned about the pitfalls of social media and how it affected her. Loved Ms. Carter and how she tried to guide both the parents and students in a personal and non judgmental way. We all need Ms. Carters in our lives. I would say more Lena and more Mia. But, really, I want more Kelly.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are her own.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are her own.
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October 18, 2024This book shows the parent addiction to phones and social media as much as kids. I wish the characters were 6th or 7th grade instead of 5th because I think it will be a harder sell to get this book in the hands of middle school kids who are the ones who need a message like this more. The fear of missing out reflection when Lena looks around social media for the first time is very true and a mental health testament. Hopefully most teachers and schools have more control in elementary school over student cell phones than in this book.
Notes: Chinese immigrant. Puberty.
Notes: Chinese immigrant. Puberty.
January 14, 2024
Finally Heard is the next in the series about Lina Gao. Lina is growing up and her body is starting to change. Her mom decides to make a video for social media to boost her bath bomb sales. Lina starts making videos to help her mom and then her mother’s friends. Lina ‘s mother decides to giver her a phone to help making the videos. Lina quickly gets sucked into all things social media and can’t stop, until everything goes wrong.
Kelly Yang has done again. This book shows many sides of students being on social media and many of the hazards. You feel for Lina has she goes through puberty, and her struggles being on social media. I hope that the audience this book is intended for really listen to its message.
Kelly Yang has done again. This book shows many sides of students being on social media and many of the hazards. You feel for Lina has she goes through puberty, and her struggles being on social media. I hope that the audience this book is intended for really listen to its message.
January 26, 2024
I received this book as an ARC from a Simon & Schuster Webinar giveaway.
Wow! I felt this book was powerful and eyeopening. At first I was a little bored by all the kids constantly on their phones and social media and thought it was overdone, especially during class, then I realized that this is the new normal & a battle our teachers/schools face on a daily basis. This book provides so much perspective on what social media does to our youth, it’s a book that parents and kids need to read. It provides insight into how your words and actions can impact others and how social media can play a part in those choices. I also loved how Kelly Yang made the main character (Lina) come to life with the changes that she was going through and the struggles she was facing as a growing girl…I could relate with this character as I felt many of these same feelings when I was her age. I feel that many tweens will be able to relate to Lina and hopefully it will make them know that they are not alone with these feelings and insecurities. This book is also a reminder for all of us to be kind because you never know what another person is going through. I have already told my daughter that I would like her to read this book and I will be adding it to my school library.
Wow! I felt this book was powerful and eyeopening. At first I was a little bored by all the kids constantly on their phones and social media and thought it was overdone, especially during class, then I realized that this is the new normal & a battle our teachers/schools face on a daily basis. This book provides so much perspective on what social media does to our youth, it’s a book that parents and kids need to read. It provides insight into how your words and actions can impact others and how social media can play a part in those choices. I also loved how Kelly Yang made the main character (Lina) come to life with the changes that she was going through and the struggles she was facing as a growing girl…I could relate with this character as I felt many of these same feelings when I was her age. I feel that many tweens will be able to relate to Lina and hopefully it will make them know that they are not alone with these feelings and insecurities. This book is also a reminder for all of us to be kind because you never know what another person is going through. I have already told my daughter that I would like her to read this book and I will be adding it to my school library.
March 27, 2024
5 stars. Mom wants to promote the bath bomb business in social media
Lina’s changing body
Mrs. Carter’s talk about boredom allowing the brain to wander and make connections and not always be on your phone
Love all the MG book mentions
Getting boobs and pimples and worrying about comments
Toothpaste on zits
Shake it off with her gma on FaceTime
Excellent research using experiences from own family and the sources in the back matter
Lina’s changing body
Mrs. Carter’s talk about boredom allowing the brain to wander and make connections and not always be on your phone
Love all the MG book mentions
Getting boobs and pimples and worrying about comments
Toothpaste on zits
Shake it off with her gma on FaceTime
Excellent research using experiences from own family and the sources in the back matter
Read
June 13, 2024Dear Grownups, if you want a watered down version of the nastiness teens experience on social media, read this. Know that what kids in real life are doing to each other is probably ten times worse than what happens in this book.
Because of this difficult topic, I don't know if I can rate this. While I did not enjoy it, I know it has many important messages for middle grade students and parents. I think since I'm a middle school teacher, I'm just too close to the central drama of the book.
Because of this difficult topic, I don't know if I can rate this. While I did not enjoy it, I know it has many important messages for middle grade students and parents. I think since I'm a middle school teacher, I'm just too close to the central drama of the book.
April 20, 2024
There’s nothing better than curling up with a book by Kelly Yang. Yet again she has absolutely smashed it. I loved how many relevant and appropriate topics she touched in this book. It is scary that the users of social media are getting younger and younger. I think this is an amazing one to have in the library for year 6!
November 19, 2024
Yang continues to astound me. This is the 6th book of hers I have read. Her ability to write compelling stories time and time again while also addressing important and relevant issues is unmatched. As an English middle school teacher, I beg my students to pick up something by Yang knowing her stories have the power to see them and also open their eyes.
May 21, 2024
I don't write reviews, but this book is amazing! I want every student to read it and read a good perspective about social media and phone usage in elementary students! I absolutely recommend this to anyone and everyone!
August 2, 2024
Loved it! I really liked the characters. It was a book about what you can learn on social media and how it can impact you. I just really thought the stuff Lina went through can be relatable to what other kids could had experience.
August 28, 2024
Yet another winner from Kelly Yang. I really don't know how she does it!
March 10, 2024
This book is a wealth of information/reminders for kids and adults!
February 13, 2025
I loved this book and enjoyed every part of it! Like all of Kelly Yang’s books, I couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out what happened next. 🤗
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