The Disconnect

by Keren David

Could you last six whole weeks without your phone? Six weeks without sharing photos, without group messages, without being kept in the social‑media loop?

An eccentric entrepreneur has challenged Esther’s year group to do just that, and the winners will walk away with £1,000.

For Esther, whose dad and sister live thousands of miles away in New York, the prize might be her only chance to afford flights for a visit…

But can she really stay disconnected long enough to win?

Genres: Young Adult, School, Contemporary, Short Stories, Family, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

120 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2019

Reviews

[Florence · Rating 3 out of 5]

not good not bad literally nothing to say about it really lol. was bored so read it all in one day as it’s a very short book. guess it’s a good insight to social media but not anything i didn’t already know, the characters were likeable there was simply nothing wrong or right about it, it was simply just ok 🤷‍♀️

[El · Rating 2 out of 5]

A super short book (despite what goodreads says) it was only 120 pages!

Just a very readable book - big text, no hard concepts really. Just a nice story on how giving your phone up for a bit can help in so many ways.

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book we meet Ester and we see how her and her best friend Natalie as well as their crushes Tom and River as well as the rest of their school all partake in a challenge to ditch their phones and earn themselves a thousand pounds!



Only the woman behind the idea may be using the project to make teens rely even more on technology rather than doing less like they try.



After finding new hobbies and use of her time as well as being the victim of a mugging due to a phone argument it makes her feel more free than feeling paranoid people don't like her approve her clothes etc...



This book is relevant to now in a time when it seems people always have to be on their phone apps doing something this book highlights just how damaging they can be but also how nothing is as it seems a lot of the time too.

[Lilian library · Rating 2 out of 5]

So i had to read this book for my english class and also write summaries for every chapter.
It was a super super interesting book i didn’t even thought i could like it…
But at the end i even cried💀😭 Embarrassing i know but the topic of this book is so real and touching!!
There were some scenes that didnt make any sense….
not my usual genre but 2.75 stars

[Karen Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could you survive without your phone for 6 weeks? I think many people would say no, as their influence and use has become something we take for granted. In this story (specifically targeting reluctant readers, who may well be overly-attached to their own phone) that is the challenge set to a group of year 11 students.
Esther is keen to try it, but worries what she’ll miss out on. Aside from the usual fears over social media, Esther has to deal with the fact that her phone is her lifeline to her sister and father who live in New York.
A quick read that won’t tax many, but will certainly get people talking.

[Rose Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good one for teenagers to read , makes them think about technology and mobile phones and using them - can they really go without for 6 weeks.....

[Ludmila · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn't the worst of short books i've ever read. Truly a good story with a clear beginning and end✨️

[ridag · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe they got a bad review because they stole Palestinian food and call it Israeli

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, quick read, that will give you a lot to think about.

I love the concept, asking a group of Year 11 students to give up their smart phones for 6 weeks, for £1000. I am far from a Year 11 student, but I know that I have serious attachment issues to my own phone, so I felt for the characters.
The students are given old school mobile phones that can only call and text, and they are allowed to use computers...just no smart phones. Could I do it? I am honestly not sure, but this book kind of makes me want to try.

Another reason I like this book, it's a Barrington Stoke publication. Barrington Stoke publish books for reluctant and dyslexic readers, so the book is printed with a dyslexic friendly font, on dyslexic friendly paper. I can remember when books for 'dyslexic readers' looked like 'books for dyslexic readers' and no-one in their right mind would want to pick one up...as someone who openly admits to judging books by their covers, that's not the case anymore.
The new wave of Barrington Stoke titles look just like any other book, often a bit thinner, and with a yellow tinge to the paper, but the covers stand alongside any book on the library or book shop shelf.
I deal mainly with schools and the feedback we have had about these books is overwhelming...kids who are so excited that they can read a book! They just can't get enough of them.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting story about an experiment that asks year 11 students to give up their phones for 6 weeks for the chance of winning a cash prize. Just the thought of doing so personally made me go quite cold to be honest! Main protagonist Esther agrees to have a go but it's even more difficult for her to keep to as her dad and sister live in New York and her only way of keeping in contact with them is via regular Skype calls. The book has much to say about young people's reliance on being always online and the bullying that can arise from this but it does also give positive uses of technology, using maps for navigation e.g , I would definitely miss this feature on my smartphone. The tale very much centres on relationships, between family members and friends, and manages to suggest healthier use of social media etc within a great story without being preachy or judgmental. An excellent, contemporary read for digitally obsessed teens.

[Miss Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I'm never going to measure my worth in likes again." An interesting story assessing the benefits of less social media time from teenagers' perspectives. It touches on bullying, FOMO, addiction, identity theft, unreliable sources, and the role of entrepreneurs. In a way, being disconnected allows the protagonist to reassess her values and her friendships. There are more gains than losses; however, she still misses out on the money.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It made me think about all the time I spend on my phone and whether or not I could be without it - similar to how the main characters have to be. I’m still not 100% sure of the motives behind the lady/company who sets the challenge, even after finishing the book so I’m not sure if that means it was well written or if I missed something.

[Chantelle Hazelden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review to come on the blog nearer publication date

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

so readable and really interesting

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Exploring the impact that social media and smart phones have on teenagers lives. Could you cope without your smart phone for 6 weeks?

[Janika Puolitaival · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is your life on your phone? Easy to read book about being offline for six weeks, I liked how author described thougts of main characters. Starting with selfie problems.

[Tabrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but still a powerfully compelling story. It actually made me rethink how much I use my phone and social media. And I feel it will be just as engaging to reluctant young readers.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept is great, but a bit short and it needed greater depth to round out the characters and the whole process.

[Tayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could you give your phone up for six weeks?
This shows just how much we rely on social media and our phones for everyday life. And it’s sad.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short read. Entertaining.

[Melina · Rating 1 out of 5]

typical school book but the writing style….

[Sophie Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esther's year group have been challenged by a mobile phone mogul to live without a mobile phone for 6 weeks. If they manage to do this they will be given a cash prize and the opportunity to work with a brilliant entrepreneur. Esther, not entirely sure she's up for the challenge, ends up participating as her best friend makes her. Over the course of 6 weeks, Esther learns to connect with people in an organic way and by being disconnected she is able to reconnect in a way she never knew she could.

Things I liked:
- I liked the premise of this book. As someone who did not grow up with mobile phones, it's easy to switch off and remember the good ol' days. But it's interesting to think what it must be like for those who have never known anything else and we have become very dependant on them for everything.
- I liked Esther's backstory and life. I liked how her family represented a modern-day family and how it might feel to have family all over the world. I also liked the description of the cafe - I wanna eat there!
- I liked how Esther learnt how small actions can have big consequences and how she and Natalie were able to reconnect and have a proper conversation about where they both were in life. This moment was lovely and unexpected. I half expected Natalie to not see the error of her ways so this was nice.

Things I didn't like:
- I really like Barrington Stoke books as they offer great stories to those who may struggle with reading or struggle to enjoy it. However, on this occasion, I do think 'The Disconnect' deserved a bigger story. The characters felt like footnotes of the real ones David had cooked up and the story itself started slow and then raced at a fast pace to its conclusion. It felt rushed and underwritten. This story definitely had legs on it to run a bit longer and sadly I think the shorter length did stop it from being amazing.

The Disconnect is a nice little read which is easy to digest for those who may not enjoy reading. The story speaks to something which is important for young people to think about and the smaller storylines throughout build a nice world and make you like Esther. However, due to its size, the ending felt rushed and the slow burn of the beginning went up in a quick blaze at the end. It was a good read but the quick ending and snapshot of characters made it slightly lacklustre.

[whatbooknext · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like her friends at high school, Esther Levin cannot image being without her phone. It is essential to everydayThe Disconnect Book Review Cover life. Finding her way to a party (GPS), time – to meet one of her friends, her torch at night, or the essential things like how to do stuff (YouTube), and what everyone is doing, wearing, buying or liking.

When a tech billionaire visits their school offering one thousand pounds to anyone who can be without their smart phone for six weeks, Esther is tempted. It is for a study about social media addiction.

When her friends agree to do it too, she hands in her phone along with dozens of others students. They are all given a simple text/call phone in its place. All Esther can think of is the money. Not for clothes and shoes like her friends, but for air tickets to New York to see her dad and her big sister and tiny nephew. She misses them like crazy.

It’s not long before Esther notices the changes in herself, her ‘friends’ and others around her. Not having a smart phone within reach 24/7 is liberating in some ways and confusing in others. Other students are dropping out of the challenge, but Esther really needs that money.



The Disconnect is a great read. Could we survive without our smart phones? Many topics are tackled in this convincing story including fake news, fake friends, data collecting and sharing, blended families and the power of social media for businesses – both good and bad.

Author – Keren David

Reading Age 8 – Interest Age Teen

[Björn H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Esthers skola antar utmaningen "Koppla ner"; de ska vara utan smartphones i sex veckor. Prispengar hägrar i slutändan, pengar som Esther vill använda för att åka till New York och hälsa på sin pappa. Frågan är om alla verkligen kommer att hålla sig till de uppsatta reglerna? Och varför startas tävlingen där alla ska vara utan mobiltelefon av en företagare som gjort sin förmögenhet på just mobiltelefoner?

Koppla ner är en väldigt kort bok, bara ca 120 sidor med rätt stor text. Prosan är lätt att läsa och följa. Mina invändningar är egentligen mot historien. Den känns lite för tillrättalagd. Esther förstår väldigt fort att det här med att vara utan smartphone öppnar upp andra möjligheter, argumenten kommer direkt. Händelser och möten sker också ibland på ett något onaturligt sett. Positivt är då att språket är helt okej och historien lätt att följa.

I denna tid då diskussionerna hela tiden går om telefonerna tar över våra liv och förstör allting eller inte är det här ändå en okej bok att diskutera utifrån. Och det är gott så.

[Sine Nomine · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book's description makes it sound like an engaging read for teenagers, promising important themes related to modern-day issues. Unfortunately, that's where the appeal ends. Once you begin reading, it becomes clear that the topic is neither fully explored nor meaningfully developed. The author keeps the discussion superficial and instead focuses disproportionately on promoting her personal background and unrelated food references, which feel forced and disconnected from the central theme.

Teen readers are unlikely to relate to or be interested in these tangents, making the book feel even more disengaging. Additionally, the main topic remains underdeveloped, and the characters lack depth—we only get to know them at a surface level. The writing style is also weak, offering little linguistic value for students in a classroom setting. It does not support the development of proper or refined language skills.

While the topic had real potential, the author failed to realize it. Overall, the book felt like a waste of time and money.

[Elisa Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had to read this book for English class, thus my first thought was like: god not this kind of thing again. Adults always want us to read things we already know.
But I was surprised of how much I liked it in the end
It’s a beautiful story, underlining the problems and obstacles of Gen Z. It’s criticising in an intellectual way our ways of using phones or the internet in general. While reading this book many things became more clear to me; how addicting phones are and how normal it is for us to have them every day.
I love Esther’s character and mostly her development through the book. The Disconnect helped her realise in how much drama she was stuck in. We all kind of need this Disconnect. We’d probably feel better afterwards.
A beautiful written book made for the younger audience out there. I can only recommend this book to you! Go and read it, I promise it’s worth it!

[Annika Samuelsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esther går första året på gymnasiet. En morgon kommer hon till skolan och hela hennes årskurs ska samlas i skolans aulan. De får en utmaning av en mobilmogul, en kvinna som tidigare har gått på skolan. De ska "koppla ner", de ska vara utan sina smarta telefoner i 6 veckor. De som klarar det kommer få vara med i en referensgrupp för att ta fram nästa generation mobiler men de kommer också vinna tio tusen kronor.

Det är pengarna som Esther gärna vill ha. För dem skulle hon kunna åka och hälsa på sin pappa och sin syster i USA. Hur svårt kan det vara att vara utan sin telefon i 6 veckor? Ester bestämmer sig, med viss övertalning från bästa kompisen Natalie, att anta utmaningen.

[hel_sun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for school and in the beginning I thought it would be a book saying that phones are bad for you. But after knowing Esther a bit better and being a few pages into the story it get's better. You get to know how and why Esther feels about letting her phone go. You accompany Esther on her journey. I especially liked the ending. I maybe wouldn't have picked it out without the "force" from school. But I think that for some it might be a good book to think about their own phone habits or even addiction.

[Eipoe Phyu · Rating 2 out of 5]

just a simple short book I picked up at the library to read during my boat ride. Just 120 pages!

Esther, a 16-year old who went through a school program where she had to give up her mobile phone for 6 weeks.

I liked that the book highlighted challenges without the use of the internet, as well as the benefits from taking a break from social mediq.

The book didn’t really go into depth about her struggles with her dad and sister living far away from her as well as her self consciousness of her self-image

Overall, just something to pick up since I got bored. 🫶

- E

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a few years old now but in view of the recent social media ban for U16 in Australia and discussion here of following in their footsteps, this UK Barrington Stoke teen title is quite topical. Could you survive six weeks without your smart phone/device and access to social media? The good and the bad of social media, fake news, connections and divisions amongst friends and family are all part of this short but quite powerful read.