FINALLY HEARD

Fifth grader Lina Gao grapples with social media and puberty in this follow-up to Finally Seen (2023).

A few months after the events of the previous book, Lina’s mother’s bath bomb business is stalling, so she records a heartfelt social media marketing video. It immediately goes viral, inspiring Lina to overcome her self-consciousness about her changing body to post online videos supporting the business, too. When her mother abruptly gives Lina her old phone, she finally feels included at school, diving headfirst into the world of texting and posting on social media. But along with the initial highs of connection, Lina experiences practically every negative impact of internet use, including misinformation, trolling, a craving for views, envy, FOMO, and body shame. After phone use by Lina and her classmates becomes more disruptive, their teacher explains the science behind what they’re experiencing, sharing information about dopamine, oxytocin, algorithms, and the online disinhibition effect. Things come to a head when Lina enters a flame war on Discord and gets accused of cyberbullying just as best friend Carla discovers she’s been catfished. While Yang clearly has an important message to deliver, and readers will learn a lot about the dangers of the internet and social media, her depiction of fifth graders’ out-of-control phone use and the focus on teachable episodes cataloging online harms leave little room for organic storytelling and character development.

This highly anticipated sequel delivers less heart and more education.