Back Online

by Laura Dower

Madison Finn is back online, and she's spilling all the details on her new friend, old flame, and very unexpected crush

Madison, Aimee, Fiona, and the gang are ready for a new school year, but Madison knows that nothing is ever what you expect--especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Regardless of how prepared she is, the eighth grade is going to bring a bunch of awkward new experiences and some major surprises, including a new love interest--and a very confusing love triangle!

Perfect for fans of the Dork Diaries, Back Online is the newest novel in the hugely popular From the Files of Madison Finn series.

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Laura Dower worked in marketing and editorial in kid’s publishing for many years before taking a big leap to the full-time life of an author. Since 2000, she has penned 90+ books–from picture books to young adult fiction and nonfiction. Along the way, she had two sons and a daughter. Laura and her groovy family of five live in Yonkers, NY.

Reviews

[Cait · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was really fun and nostalgic to jump back into Madison’s world. I used to devour this series! I remember going to the bookstore in elementary and middle school and being so excited to see a new Madison Finn book on the shelves.

I am glad Madison finally made it to eighth grade. It used to drive me crazy reading the books that she never left seventh grade because the books went through a full season cycle like three times (3 summers, falls, winters, and springs). So it was nice to see the story finally continue along.

This story was cute and Madison dealt with a few themes associated with growing up, like new family dynamics, puberty, and being mature enough to move on from the past (I’m thinking of her rekindled friendship with Ivy). But the ending of this book was so abrupt and frustrating, especially with her treatment (or lack of treatment) of Hart. She just refused to talk to him the entire book, despite constant complaining and confusion over their “relationship.” Just talk to him and set it straight, dude! And the story with Dan and Leyli was also left annoyingly open-ended.

This is not a bad story, it’s just frustrating that Laura Dower wrote one final book but did not conclude anything. But it was still nice to take a short trip back to Far Hills.

[Eleni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many feelings right now. I waited nine years for this book to be written (truthfully I never thought you'd ever continue this series until I randomly found out last year), and I was NOT disappointed. In the two hours it took me to read this, I reverted back to my middle school self and loved every minute of it. I can't even articulate all the feelings of nostalgia and, simply put, fangirling I felt when I read this book. I remembered why this book series was so important to me, and how it changed my life.

Thank you for writing this, Laura Dower. Seriously. This book series is the reason I committed to reading. As a literature student now, that means a great deal.

Yours till the banana splits,

EZ A.K.A Eleni

[Yas · Rating 5 out of 5]

and when she’s back online, then what?

[Ren]

I loved these when I was a kid so I kinda wanted to see what happens after the series. And although I enjoyed this (trying to put myself in a 12-year-old mindset), it feels a bit pointless. Why write a whole series about Maddie pining for Hart, only to destroy it all in one book, years later? Maybe there was supposed to be more books after this one, like a reboot? It felt a bit abrupt and rushed, even though there were good themes in there. The last of the original series was more complete and this one just left a lot of cliffhangers.

[Anna]

I LOVED these books as a kid so had to read this when I realized there was a new one. The technology and slang didn't really align with the year this is supposed to be in, but was fun to take a trip down memory lane. Now all I want is an adult Madison Finn book where she uses instagram.

[Saad Sayyed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Instant DNF when I changed my genre tastes. It happened that I used to like this series, but now I've moved on to fantasy and sci-fi.

Not that I hated it; But I wouldn't recommend it either.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back Online

by Laura Dower

Open Road Integrated Media

Open Road Media Teen & Tween
Children’s Fiction

Pub Date 09 Aug 2016

I was given a copy of Back Online through the publisher and their partnership with Netgalley in exchange for my honest review which is as follows:

After an awesome Summer including a trip to Japan and a road trip with her Dad Madison is facing disappointment. In June and July her boyfriend emails her everyday but by October she hasn’t heard a peep from him in a couple of months.

Finally Madison here’s from him but she’s upset because he contacted her friends first.

When Madison goes to spend a couple of days with her Dad, she feels like she is nothing but an inconvenience to him. She loves her Step Mom but her Father is stressed, overwhelmed and starts taking it out on her.

Back Online is about an eighth grade girls struggles and triumphs. It’s about discovering who she is and who she wants to be.

I give Back Online five out of five stars.

Happy Reading.

[Kourtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story about Madison Finn and her friends entering 8th grade. This was my first Madison Finn story (turns out there are 22 other stories I have missed out on!) and it brought me back to that time when you were just figuring out your feelings for the opposite sex, and making and breaking friendships. A new girl, Layli, moves to town and befriends Madison's group of friends. I keep getting the feeling that Layli may turn out to be a frenemy at some point. There were some serious stories told about families, with her mom that works a lot, and her dad and step-mom who have some life changing news.

I will be trying to find the earlier books to catch up on Madison's life - and the story leaves itself wide open for a few different storylines for future books. Based on this book alone, I would let my daughter read this when she is age appropriate!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is rather an average story about an average girl in a fictional suburbia where the most worries she has are if her dog will get well, and who she should be crushing on.

Nothing wrong with that. And this might appeal to the intended audience, which is middle-school girls. I used to love the Beverly Cleary books, and this reminds me a bit of those, where average things happen, and that is life, and that is the book.

I guess I am spoiled, and want more. But this is the 24th in the series, so, it must be successful, and must be working for someone. Well written. Just nothing really happens.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Mila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen! Listen!
I used to read these books when I was younger and I kept going back to them because they felt like hugs and they made me laugh out loud all the time!! And I just freaking loved them!
Reading this book was going back to all those happy and warm feelings <3 granted, I'm not 11 anymore and I can't obviously relate in the way that I did before... but still, I enjoyed it immensely! The characters are still as endearing as ever and Maddie still makes me happy/sad/worry with her.
My only complain is the ending! I want more! Also, what is happening to Phin?!?! I swear to god if anything happens to that dog I will hunt the author down!

Anyways... great book! :)

[Cas H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back online is a cute story of a middle school girl who moves towns and then starts a new school in her 8th-grade year. She makes friends with a group of girls and ends up liking a couple of boys in the process. It sounds like an average book, however, it is well written and worth reading.
This is my first book in the series, and I think my 6th-grade girl would love it.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review.

[Tiffany Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cliffhanger!!! Will there be more? 😭😭😭