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Cut Off
A topical tale of one teen's addiction to the Cyber World - and the Northern adventure that saved his life.Fourteen-year-old Indio McCracken enjoys meteoric stardom as a guitar prodigy after his father posts a video of him playing. Things quickly go sour when Indio's fame fuels his father's dream of raising the world's next Segovia. Robbed of a normal childhood and already feeling alienated by his mixed Guatemalan-Canadian heritage, Indio desperately seeks escape online by creating a virtual identity, an obsession that almost kills him. Facing school expulsion ? or worse ? unless he kicks his Internet habit, Indio is shipped off to a teen addictions rehab center in the wilds of northern Canada where the adventure of a lifetime awaits him.
We all depend on computers, smartphones, or other handheld devices for sharing information, keeping in touch, and entertaining ourselves. But what happens when our normal interaction with these useful tools crosses the line into addiction?
Award-winning author Jamie Bastedo explores the roots of one "screenager's" passions and pitfalls in this timely tale of oppression, addiction, and deliverance.
We all depend on computers, smartphones, or other handheld devices for sharing information, keeping in touch, and entertaining ourselves. But what happens when our normal interaction with these useful tools crosses the line into addiction?
Award-winning author Jamie Bastedo explores the roots of one "screenager's" passions and pitfalls in this timely tale of oppression, addiction, and deliverance.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2015
3 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Bastedo
16 books7 followersAs a professional ecologist, outdoor educator, nature tour guide, radio broadcaster, video script writer, actor and children’s entertainer, Jamie Bastedo has been involved in many projects that bridge the realms of science, art and culture. His ability to weave these realms together in creative, street-friendly formats was recognized recently when he received the national Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion (one of only five given each year) and the Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee Medal.
As for Jamie's knowledge of bears, he has published numerous popular articles, book chapters and one major novel about bears and has first-hand experience working with bear biologists in various arctic habitats. The inspiration for this project arose while doing research and creative writing for a Canadian Museum of Nature exhibit on Arctic climate change aimed at adolescent and teenage audiences.
As for Jamie's knowledge of bears, he has published numerous popular articles, book chapters and one major novel about bears and has first-hand experience working with bear biologists in various arctic habitats. The inspiration for this project arose while doing research and creative writing for a Canadian Museum of Nature exhibit on Arctic climate change aimed at adolescent and teenage audiences.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 23, 2017
Goodreads Synopsis:
Fourteen-year-old Indio McCracken enjoys instant stardom after his father posts a video of him playing the guitar. Things quickly go sour when Indio’s fame fuels his father’s dream of raising the world’s next Segovia. Robbed of a normal childhood, Indio desperately seeks escape online, creating an obsession that almost kills him. Facing school expulsion—or worse—Indio is shipped off to an addictions rehab center in the wilds of northern Canada where the adventure of a lifetime awaits him.
We all depend on digital devices, but what happens when our normal interaction with these useful tools crosses the line into addiction?
Award-winning author Jamie Bastedo explores the roots of one “screenager’s” passions and pitfalls in this timely tale of oppression, addiction, and deliverance.
My Review:
I really enjoyed this book. It had been on my currently reading list for a couple weeks before I actually started it, because I kept thinking "Nawh I better read this one first" but I'm so glad I finally jumped into it. An easy read but a heart wrenching story, Indio or Ian McCracken is a child prodigy. Starting his journey with guitar at the age of four, he became the fastest guitar player in the world at age fourteen. The next few years of his life are devastating. His father, who runs gold mines in Guatemala, is not the best father. He keeps Indio on lock down and even beats his legs with blunt objects until they bruise and later scar if he doesn't get the song exactly right during practice. After uploading a video of him playing at a local concert, he quickly goes viral. He only gets to go to school about two days a week, spending at least five hours a day practicing. There's riots going on outside his house because of the work his father is doing, destroying the environment and the people that live in those areas because of the mines. The family is forced to abandon their work and their home, shutting down the mine and moving to Calgary, AB, my hometown and current place of living. There after a long depressive episode, he's able to reclaim himself as Ian, and although he has a hard time keeping motivation up and actually going to school, he's quickly immersed into the world wide web, something he's had no experience with in the past. He starts up two blogs, one for Indrio, and one for Ian, and runs them religiously. The internet is quickly taking over his life and he finds it hard to concentrate on anything else. He's missing school, he's losing track of time, and worst of all hes majorly depressed when he's not online. He feels alienated and the only thing that makes him feel better is blogging. He develops an addiction that almost kills him, it's taking over his life and putting him in danger. His parents force him one day to go to a rehab camp, and that's when things really start changing for him. I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into when I first started it, but I really enjoyed reading it. The main character develops so much, especially throughout the last half of the book, growing from a young and sheltered thirteen year old boy to a strong sixteen year old who really knows what he wants from life and isn't afraid to grab it. He gets himself in some trouble along the way, but he figures himself out and that's always what matters the most, and is really the best ending. Definitely check it out if you get the chance.
Thanks for reading! Check out this review and more at my blog.
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
Fourteen-year-old Indio McCracken enjoys instant stardom after his father posts a video of him playing the guitar. Things quickly go sour when Indio’s fame fuels his father’s dream of raising the world’s next Segovia. Robbed of a normal childhood, Indio desperately seeks escape online, creating an obsession that almost kills him. Facing school expulsion—or worse—Indio is shipped off to an addictions rehab center in the wilds of northern Canada where the adventure of a lifetime awaits him.
We all depend on digital devices, but what happens when our normal interaction with these useful tools crosses the line into addiction?
Award-winning author Jamie Bastedo explores the roots of one “screenager’s” passions and pitfalls in this timely tale of oppression, addiction, and deliverance.
My Review:
I really enjoyed this book. It had been on my currently reading list for a couple weeks before I actually started it, because I kept thinking "Nawh I better read this one first" but I'm so glad I finally jumped into it. An easy read but a heart wrenching story, Indio or Ian McCracken is a child prodigy. Starting his journey with guitar at the age of four, he became the fastest guitar player in the world at age fourteen. The next few years of his life are devastating. His father, who runs gold mines in Guatemala, is not the best father. He keeps Indio on lock down and even beats his legs with blunt objects until they bruise and later scar if he doesn't get the song exactly right during practice. After uploading a video of him playing at a local concert, he quickly goes viral. He only gets to go to school about two days a week, spending at least five hours a day practicing. There's riots going on outside his house because of the work his father is doing, destroying the environment and the people that live in those areas because of the mines. The family is forced to abandon their work and their home, shutting down the mine and moving to Calgary, AB, my hometown and current place of living. There after a long depressive episode, he's able to reclaim himself as Ian, and although he has a hard time keeping motivation up and actually going to school, he's quickly immersed into the world wide web, something he's had no experience with in the past. He starts up two blogs, one for Indrio, and one for Ian, and runs them religiously. The internet is quickly taking over his life and he finds it hard to concentrate on anything else. He's missing school, he's losing track of time, and worst of all hes majorly depressed when he's not online. He feels alienated and the only thing that makes him feel better is blogging. He develops an addiction that almost kills him, it's taking over his life and putting him in danger. His parents force him one day to go to a rehab camp, and that's when things really start changing for him. I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into when I first started it, but I really enjoyed reading it. The main character develops so much, especially throughout the last half of the book, growing from a young and sheltered thirteen year old boy to a strong sixteen year old who really knows what he wants from life and isn't afraid to grab it. He gets himself in some trouble along the way, but he figures himself out and that's always what matters the most, and is really the best ending. Definitely check it out if you get the chance.
Thanks for reading! Check out this review and more at my blog.
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
January 28, 2022
I needed a reprieve from a slew of heavier books and this is just what the doctor ordered. Written by a local author to me, I've been meaning to read one of his novels for years. I do think the story was underdeveloped, however it is a YA book so that might be perfect. Gave me another perspective on device addiction, especially for the teens I work with.
January 27, 2017
A Red Dot Mature book. Important theme about addiction to the internet and social media. Nothing a kayak down the river won't fix...
September 29, 2022
I actually really enjoyed this book!! I read it in less than a week it helped that the chapters were short too.
October 7, 2016
I think that this book is good. But I think they could have added a little more details to make it more interesting. There are some parts that I didn’t understand so I think they should make things sound better and more understandable. But it was a good book at the same time because it sounded like a real life story. I felt like I could imagine what was happening in the story
March 1, 2018
Received a copy of this book to critique for the Yukon College Northern Review, found here: http://journals.sfu.ca/nr/index.php/nr
The short version is that this book wasn't just bad. It was infuriating.
A big part of that is because it starts off so promising, filled with tense drama and big ideas. The first 90 pages or so, when Indio is still in Columbia, brings up a wide variety of compelling Issues: child prodigies, abuse, exploitation of children by their parents, exploitation of South American countries by northern colonial powers, class division, environmental devastation, and the unsure cultural struggles faced by mixed race children. It's all fascinating set up for a really good book..... that gets immediately dumped in Part 2 when Indio and his family move back to Canada.
Then, and only then, does the book reveal it's true Issue, the one it wants to send a message about: Internet Addiction.
And it is so very very stupid.
Let's get one thing out of the way: INTERNET ADDICTION IS NOT A THING. It is literally a joke diagnosis someone made up to mock the DSM. There *is* such a thing as unhealthy internet use or internet compulsion, but it is a SYMPTOM of larger problems, not a disease on its own. And it does not in any way resemble chemical addictions, such as to alcohol or drugs, nor does it manifest in a way that could be treated with DETOX of all things.
Sad thing is, the book even backs this up: all of those big, dramatic issues I mentioned before are literally only in the book as backstory to Indio's addiction. This poor kid has so many problems, having been abused by his father his entire life on top of trauma after trauma that gets heaped on him. And yet, the book wants us to believe that his only REAL problem is his internet use.
Except that the internet use is only negative by a) exaggerating the heck out of things to the point where it's completely unbelievable or b) painting his positive online interactions -- like connecting wth other abused children and his real, IRL classmates -- the way "Reefer Madness" depicted a marijuana joint.
And then, in part 3, when he's finally sent away to the detox camp, the methods they use to "cure" him are so disgustingly similar to the isolation and abuse he was subjected to by his father in part 1 that it comes across as less "The beauty of nature and hard work will ~heal you~" and more "If we abuse you in the woods and say it's for your own good, that makes it okay." Oh, except for the one lesson about how keeping a private journal is more fulfilling than a blog because you're "Not writing for anyone else, just you" because that's not condescending at all.
This has dissolved into rambling, but tl;dr? This book is a mess and it's insulting and I hate hate hate it. If I could give it zero stars I would.
The short version is that this book wasn't just bad. It was infuriating.
A big part of that is because it starts off so promising, filled with tense drama and big ideas. The first 90 pages or so, when Indio is still in Columbia, brings up a wide variety of compelling Issues: child prodigies, abuse, exploitation of children by their parents, exploitation of South American countries by northern colonial powers, class division, environmental devastation, and the unsure cultural struggles faced by mixed race children. It's all fascinating set up for a really good book..... that gets immediately dumped in Part 2 when Indio and his family move back to Canada.
Then, and only then, does the book reveal it's true Issue, the one it wants to send a message about: Internet Addiction.
And it is so very very stupid.
Let's get one thing out of the way: INTERNET ADDICTION IS NOT A THING. It is literally a joke diagnosis someone made up to mock the DSM. There *is* such a thing as unhealthy internet use or internet compulsion, but it is a SYMPTOM of larger problems, not a disease on its own. And it does not in any way resemble chemical addictions, such as to alcohol or drugs, nor does it manifest in a way that could be treated with DETOX of all things.
Sad thing is, the book even backs this up: all of those big, dramatic issues I mentioned before are literally only in the book as backstory to Indio's addiction. This poor kid has so many problems, having been abused by his father his entire life on top of trauma after trauma that gets heaped on him. And yet, the book wants us to believe that his only REAL problem is his internet use.
Except that the internet use is only negative by a) exaggerating the heck out of things to the point where it's completely unbelievable or b) painting his positive online interactions -- like connecting wth other abused children and his real, IRL classmates -- the way "Reefer Madness" depicted a marijuana joint.
And then, in part 3, when he's finally sent away to the detox camp, the methods they use to "cure" him are so disgustingly similar to the isolation and abuse he was subjected to by his father in part 1 that it comes across as less "The beauty of nature and hard work will ~heal you~" and more "If we abuse you in the woods and say it's for your own good, that makes it okay." Oh, except for the one lesson about how keeping a private journal is more fulfilling than a blog because you're "Not writing for anyone else, just you" because that's not condescending at all.
This has dissolved into rambling, but tl;dr? This book is a mess and it's insulting and I hate hate hate it. If I could give it zero stars I would.
May 25, 2016
The book, Cut Off by Jamie Bastedo is a realistic fiction book set in modern times. It keeps you guessing on what is going to happen next, and is very well written. It is easy to follow, yet still deals with complex issues like addiction and bullying. This book is about a boy named Indio who struggles with many issues, and has to try and find himself again in the wilderness of Northern Canada.
Indio was born in Guatemala. His mother is of Mayan descent, and his father is Scottish. His father owns a gold mine that is very successful. From an early age Indio has had a gift with the guitar. His father one day posts a video of him playing guitar. From then on, his father locks Indio in the house and forces him to practice. As a result Indio turns to the internet to remove him from his daily life. This quickly turns into an addiction, and moving to Canada creates a whole new list of problems for Indio including depression. Things finally come to a breaking point, and Indio is sent to a remote camp in Canada to work out his problems. He finds out that it will all get worse before it gets better.
This book would be good for anyone, other than very young kids because it contains some cursing and some disturbing scenes. Other than that this book is very well written and has a good plot. This book would be most interesting to people who like real life stories about teens struggling with issues. Many come up in this book including addiction, bullying, depression, and acceptance. This novel made me think more about people I see everyday, and what issues they may face away from what I can see. Overall, it is a moderately long book, but I found it to be a page turner. It is a book that most people should enjoy.
Indio was born in Guatemala. His mother is of Mayan descent, and his father is Scottish. His father owns a gold mine that is very successful. From an early age Indio has had a gift with the guitar. His father one day posts a video of him playing guitar. From then on, his father locks Indio in the house and forces him to practice. As a result Indio turns to the internet to remove him from his daily life. This quickly turns into an addiction, and moving to Canada creates a whole new list of problems for Indio including depression. Things finally come to a breaking point, and Indio is sent to a remote camp in Canada to work out his problems. He finds out that it will all get worse before it gets better.
This book would be good for anyone, other than very young kids because it contains some cursing and some disturbing scenes. Other than that this book is very well written and has a good plot. This book would be most interesting to people who like real life stories about teens struggling with issues. Many come up in this book including addiction, bullying, depression, and acceptance. This novel made me think more about people I see everyday, and what issues they may face away from what I can see. Overall, it is a moderately long book, but I found it to be a page turner. It is a book that most people should enjoy.
December 9, 2016
Indio McCracken is half Canadian and half Mayan and lives in Guatemala with his Scottish father, Native mother, and red-headed sister. From the outside, it seems as though Indio's life is pretty great. He is lauded as a classical guitar prodigy who, through a video uploaded by his father, becomes an overnight online sensation. However, behind closed doors, the life Indio leads is one of isolation and loneliness; he is a prisoner to his father in the practice space that has been created for him. Unlike his followers and peers, Indio is not awarded the same freedoms of online internet access. Soon, Indio's dream does come true, and he is given the freedom to attend school, where he endlessly blogs about his life and his guitar. Indio quickly becomes addicted to his new online presence, but then his family is forced to move to Canada, away from the life they knew and from his newfound freedom. Indio is distraught and stops playing his guitar and becomes increasingly depressed. When his mother gives him a new iPhone, Indio falls back into his online addiction. Bastedo shows readers how easy it can be to fall into the world of cyber addiction and how difficult it is to draw the line between the real and virtual worlds—without sounding preachy. Overall, the primary and secondary characters are multifaceted and teens will easily connect with Indio.
June 6, 2016
Cut Off
By Jamie Bastedo
1.
The book Cut Off was as clear as crystal. I could tell what was happening and when and where. I honestly love the author’s writing style because it was very clear and easy to understand the arguments. The directions were a bit confusing but after a while I think I got what was happening. During the book the author balanced the internal character development and external action while keeping the story moving smoothly. Although there were a lot of chapters at the end of each chapter I would always want to read more after each chapter
2.
The book Cut Off was like flowers in the spring. After reading the book I could tell that the characters actions consistent with their strengths and weaknesses very well. With the characters speaking habit I can believe that there could be people who speak like them. An example is “You know the routine. The last Friday of every month all devices stay home … or else” another example is “He’s saying that, out here, you are your own worst enemy.” With the ending of the book I believe that the book flew naturally and flew naturally with the way that I learned the characters.
By Jamie Bastedo
1.
The book Cut Off was as clear as crystal. I could tell what was happening and when and where. I honestly love the author’s writing style because it was very clear and easy to understand the arguments. The directions were a bit confusing but after a while I think I got what was happening. During the book the author balanced the internal character development and external action while keeping the story moving smoothly. Although there were a lot of chapters at the end of each chapter I would always want to read more after each chapter
2.
The book Cut Off was like flowers in the spring. After reading the book I could tell that the characters actions consistent with their strengths and weaknesses very well. With the characters speaking habit I can believe that there could be people who speak like them. An example is “You know the routine. The last Friday of every month all devices stay home … or else” another example is “He’s saying that, out here, you are your own worst enemy.” With the ending of the book I believe that the book flew naturally and flew naturally with the way that I learned the characters.
November 6, 2016
I thought the book was beautifully done; from the way the author had crafted it to the social message conveyed. However, the complete impact of the message didn't hit me until today. After reading it I was like "Sure. We do spend a lot of time on our computers and people do grow an addiction to it but surely I am not that dependent on it. Right?" Well, today my computer had an issue and would not start up. I started to panic. "How am I going to do my hw?": "How am I going to contact my friends" I kept panicking as I realized I was completely cut off(pun not intended). That was when this book really hit home with me as I realized just how reliant I am on my computer. A few hours without it and I was having a breakdown. When my computer finally started working again, I could have fainted with relief. This experience and the book were both real eye-openers showing me just how dependent I am on technology in general.
August 27, 2016
Explores some really interesting issues around identity, culture, cyber-addiction and being a musical prodigy. There's a lot going on as these themes are twisted together through a narrative beginning in Guatemala and moving via Calgary to the Yukon wilderness. It didn't always work for me - I wasn't convinced by the depiction of internet-addiction for example - but the issues the novel raises are important and I'm keen to know what students think. What does definitely work is the pace and adventure of the novel - it's a compelling read.
There's a bit of swearing and some fleeting sexual references which will mean that some students will want to wait and read this in Grade 7 or 8.
There's a bit of swearing and some fleeting sexual references which will mean that some students will want to wait and read this in Grade 7 or 8.
November 21, 2016
This is a wonderful book that tells a familiar story of a young teenager coping with the demands of a over-zealous parent who is landing his own dreams on his son with fervor and occasional violence.
After a brilliant concert, Indio's life begins to change drastically as he escapes into the addictive wrold of online life. Here, the book starts to make its truest statement about the terrible changes that can happen to a young person whose becomes consumed with reaching out instead of reaching in.
A horrible accident sends Indio on another path where he will eventually find, not only his place in the real world, but himself.
I plan to read another Jamie Bastedo book soon.
After a brilliant concert, Indio's life begins to change drastically as he escapes into the addictive wrold of online life. Here, the book starts to make its truest statement about the terrible changes that can happen to a young person whose becomes consumed with reaching out instead of reaching in.
A horrible accident sends Indio on another path where he will eventually find, not only his place in the real world, but himself.
I plan to read another Jamie Bastedo book soon.
December 14, 2015
Riveting, real and thrilling. One of the best books I've read this year!
Read
May 9, 2016Read for the teen book awards. Not a book I would have picked up on my own at all but definitely a good look in to the things teens struggle with that are different in today's society.
September 4, 2016
I think this book is going to get me reading different genres than just fantasy just because I enjoyed this book so much. the way it is crafted is beautiful and it just flows with out any stuttering
April 17, 2017
This book requires patience - the beginning isn't so great but later things get interesting.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews