This author has long been on my TBR list, so was glad to get the advance copy to listen to. I now have first hand experience reading a book of his and can confidently continue to recommend to those looking for recommendations at the library. The story is told from a variety of viewpoints, which took a little while to keep track of who was who, but once I was keeping the characters straight, was a great way to get a variety of perspectives on the adventures that unfold. Gordon Korman did a great job of keeping the suspense of figuring out exactly how you'd get to the end that you may have some suspicion on, but enough loose ends that you really can't be certain. There was a mix of real places and companies mentioned, and some completely made up, but loosely based on real ones, that made it feel like it was the telling of a true story. The main character may have been a bit extreme, but that's what makes a good story.

I ended up DNFing this audio book. To me the voice was emotionless. Especially when reading middle grade I want a really animated story, and t hat was not this. I made it about 30% of the way through and decided to call it quits.

I've been a fan of Gordon Korman's books since I discovered the 39 Clues. I loved them. I've enjoyed other of his books since the 39 Clues series. Even though I'm past the age for the main demographics this book is geared towards, I still enjoy reading them. The characters are fun and their dry humor can pull a laugh from me.

The cover of this book is fabulous! I saw it and instantly wanted to know what this book was about. Reading the synopsis further clinched my desire to dive into this one. It was quite entertaining and kept me company while I listened and did work around my home. Get ready to meet an eclectic cast of characters. Teenagers and up. Jett is our main character, who has gotten himself into a few too many scraps and problems. His dad is done and without Jett knowing, sends him to The Oasis. Where Jett gets to try to tap into a world of mindfulness without any comforts or distractions of technology or any outside resources. Good luck Jett! He instantly meets several different characters who are also at The Oasis. Some of them by choice because of their parents taking the whole family, and others not quite by choice but by life.

Jett's commentary is pretty funny. He doesn't make the best impressions but soon there are a couple things that draw the other characters close to his age together. This mysterious lizard. Sneaking out of the compound. Snickers. And a little subterfuge. The other characters get to throw in their thoughts as well, as the POV changes. I loved getting more little bits and pieces of all of their stories as these clues led to the ending and some possible friendships.

Definitely a book I think several middle-grade readers will really enjoy and those readers who are still kids at heart.

Content: Clean

I received an audiobook copy from the publisher, Harper Audio (Balzer + Bray), via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Unplugged (Audiobook)
By: Gordon Korman

As the son of the world’s most famous tech billionaire, spoiled Jett Baranov has always gotten what he wanted. So, when his father’s private jet drops him in the middle of a place called the Oasis, Jett can’t believe it. He’s forced to hand over his cell phone, eat grainy veggie patties, and participate in wholesome activities with the other kids whom he has absolutely no interest in hanging out with.
As the weeks go on, Jett starts to get used to the unplugged life and even bonds with the other kids over their discovery of a baby-lizard-turned-pet, Needles. But he can’t help noticing that the adults at the Oasis are acting really strange. Could it be all those suspicious “meditation” sessions?
Jett is determined to get to the bottom of things, but can he convince the other kids that he is no longer just a spoiled brat making trouble?

A hilarious middle grade novel about a group of kids forced to “unplug” at a wellness camp—where they instead find intrigue, adventure, and a whole lot of chaos.
The cover of this book is what drew me in. I also liked the idea of this book. There were so many different avenues this book could have gone. While I like the mystery part of it, I did not love the characters. There was not much of a background story to many of the characters until the end of the book. I wanted to know why and what the other kids did to be put in a place like this. I felt the book was not quite sure what it wanted to be- a mystery? A story of friendship? A story of parenting?

All in all, the audiobook was okay. I cannot comment on the narrator’s voice or the variations of the characters voices since the voice for this audiobook was created with a synthetic voice for early review.

****Disclaimer: Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for giving me a free ARC in exchange for an honest review of the audiobook.

The story might be fine, but I didn't finish listening to this because the narrator's voice just didn't work for me.

It was a cute read. Some events were unbelievable for a 12 year old, but it makes it kinda fun. There were elements of friendship and mystery so a good middle grade read. Nice to read something that wasn't so heavy.

This was a cute read. I liked the friendships, the mystery, and it had a good pace. Jett starts out as a bratty twelve year old who's forced to attend a technology and meat free retreat. He pushes back and tries to make life miserable for the other attendees until he finds a lizard that he names Needles. The secret pet brings Jett together with Tyrell, Grace, and Brooklyn. The group become friends and start to enjoy their time.

The mystery was a bit silly, but I liked seeing Jett investigate and the climax of it all was exciting. It also lent some drama to the story and I was happy with the changes Jett went through. He's at an age where he starts deciding what kind of person he's going to be and I think he made some good steps in the right direction.

The automated voice that read the audiobook was okay, but it was a bit difficult telling the different characters apart. I'm sure once there's a human narrator that problem will go away.

I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

#FirstLine - Matt says I could see the majestic beauty of the American Southeast if I’d bother to glance out the window.

Korman has a way he writes that captures your attention and ignites your imagination simultaneously. I loved this book so much. YA readers are going to love Unplugged, whether you listen to it or read it. I had the pleasure to do both and enjoyed both reading experience very much. This book has everything...an original story, adventure, suspense, mystery, great characters and a plot that moves quickly. I thought the various perspectives added depth to the story. You were able to enjoy the story from multiple points of view, which made it so fun to read. I adored the humor and dialogue too. It was spot on. Kids and adults alike will love this book. I highly recommend this amazing action story!

This is a cute middle grade novel. A group of children, each with their own eccentricities, spend the summer at a health and wellness camp. With their electronics confiscated, they must make their own fun. They're is nothing very deep and meaningful here, but it will provide a few hours of hilarious adventure for your middle grade reader. It's a fun read with plenty of laughs and kids to the rescue.

4 stars! Super cute idea! Kids are sent to a camp to "unplug" from technology and of course hilarity ensues. Would highly recommend for young readers, upper elementary or lower middle school.

A pleasant book for listening. There's enough going on to keep the listener entertained but not so involved that if you miss bits here and there you lose track of what's going on. There are a few awkwardly pronounced or emphasized words, but overall pretty engaging. The plot is fairly straightforward at the start but actually goes pretty quickly off the rails into a crazy set of conspiracies and shenanigans. A little bit nonsense but mostly entertaining.

I listened to this one as a quick and fun reading escape from school work. It was just what I needed. It was funny and concise. I appreciated Gordon Korman's sense of humor and timing. In the middle of the Corona pandemic, all my students have been plugged into online learning. This story is about being unplugged at a wellness retreat. I bet that some of my students would find the irony of this and others would jump at the chance to go to a retreat like this.
Things aren't as euphoric and idealistic as it should be at a wellness retreat. Something underhanded and foul is lurking behind the yoga, mediation, outdoors activity and no technology rules. You will just have to read the story and see if you can solve the mystery of what is lurking on the tofu. This story will have you on pins and Needles.
Quick and fun middle grade mystery.
See you later, alligator.

Jett Baranov is a rich kid who is used to always getting his own way and not following rules. When he gets sent to the Oasis, a hippy-dippy retreat canter full of meditating vegetarians, he loses his electronics and is determined to hate every moment of his time there. When some of the other kids discover a baby lizard, Jett joins them in caring for it. Hanging out with the kids and taking care of Needles the lizard turns Jett's attitude around. Still, something seems fishy at the Oasis and Jett starts investigating. He uncovers a few secrets along the way. This is a cute story with a good lesson for middle-grade readers.

I have always enjoyed Gordon Korman's books that I have read with my kiddos. This one is no exception to that except that I had to listen to this one on my own because my kids are busy these days. I still enjoyed it non the less.

Jett is a young guy that has been sent away with a handler, Matt. They are going to the Oasis, a meditation retreat that focuses on healthy living. Jett's father is a wealthy man and the the founder of Fuego industries, who invented all manner of technology upon which people have become dependent. Jett is no exception to being dependent on his phone. He isn't sure what he is going to do without it for the duration of his stay at Oasis.

There are other kids and adults there with Jett and Matt, Jett just doesn't want to have anything to do with anybody and actually is very disruptive during meditation and goes into where the phone and devices are stored and steals his phone back to call his father. When his father hears him, he has no sympathy on Jett and knows that he has to have broken the rules if he is on his phone.

Days continue to go on and Jett decides that he is going to have to try and make the best out of his stay at the Oasis. When he become interested in a little lizard that Grace has found, Jett seems to make it his soul purpose to take care of the lizard and make sure that he is ok. Jett also notices that the adults that are in the area seem to be hiding something. He can't quiet figure it out but he is determined to.

Will Jett be able to find out what the adults are hiding? Will he survive his time at the Oasis or have withdraws from his electronic devices so bad that he gets into more trouble? You will have to listen to or read this book to find out! Well written and will keep your attention until the very end!

I voluntarily listened to and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book to listen to.

This book came just in time. My own 12 year old was being very entitled. He was in the car with me when I started listening to this. It wasn't long and he was offering to do chores so he could listen to this book while he worked. We both really enjoyed the twists and turns, the surprises, and character growth. It was a great! Very entertaining book. I can attest to it's ability to draw in and engage kids, at least my reluctant reader tween boy. Thank you! I have already purchased more of this authors works for my kid.

A new, fun story from author Gordon Korman! Be prepared to forge friendships with a new gang. We're headed towards a health-and-wellness camp in Arkansas. Veggies abound. Meditation awaits. And some mysterious things, that don't quite add up, lurk. The climax had me waiting with bated breath to find out the ending!

Oh, and I think I fell in love with Needles, just a bit! (That's the kids' secret little "pet", as shown on the front cover.)

Would make a great summertime read!

I enjoy Gordon Korman's style of writing, I have my son hooked on his books as well now. He keeps revisiting this one. It is a great read aloud that engages the students immediately and keeps their interest.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
As I come closer to 50 I seem to get more nostalgic about my youth. As an early teen I read all the Gordon Korman books i could and loved Bruno and Boots. One factor that made me such a fan, and the reason I requested this title was the subversive humor Korman used throughout his writing.

Although there are clever scenes and dialogue in this title it did not quite give my heart a glow and my tummy a chuckle that his other books did. I would recommend this title as a good jumping on point to discover some of his other works.

I listened to Unplugged as my first Netgalley review. I have to say the story held several lessons for me. Gordon Korman gives many reasons why being Unplugged is something needed in our society today but also why technology is beneficial. Jett has many things that make him a spoiled brat but overall he has a good heart. I enjoyed listening and was excited when some mystery was added to the story to make it intriguing. I think this story would be a great read aloud for younger kids and older kids will get into the story as well. I am going to look for more books by Gordon Korman to read with my daughter.

Jett Baranov is completely aware that he can get away with anything short of murder, being a Silicon Valley billionaire's son. After one incident too many, his dad ships him off to Oasis, a wellness camp in rural Arkansas. The worst part about it? No electronics of any kind are permitted. While he intends to decimate Oasis by whatever means necessary, he finds himself among a group of other kids his age, secretly raising a baby alligator they dub Needles, for his prickly teeth. As the gang works together caring for their forbidden reptile, Jett and friends find there is more going on at Oasis than meets the eyes of the unsuspecting adults... Fans of Carl Hiaasen are sure to love Unplugged, an uproarious novel full of clever and crafty kids with brave and daring personality.