INFLUENCED

Two 10th graders become entangled in a social media relationship.

Lainey Johnston is reeling from too many changes: Her parents recently divorced; her twin brother, Aidan, is leaving Connecticut to live with their dad in California; her stepmother is pregnant; and her friends are seemingly growing apart from her. Lainey’s anxiety compounds her feelings of being overwhelmed. Fortunately, she finds a supportive friend and confidante online—Elizabeth “Bliss” Batrowny, a TikTok influencer from New York with cerebral palsy. Optimistic and witty, Bliss is confident enough to pursue what she wants, like her school musical’s lead role, Cinderella. But behind the scenes, as her follower numbers skyrocket and paying sponsors come knocking, Bliss feels trapped by objectifying, prying fans, and her financially struggling parents’ strict management of her content. Her experiences vividly illustrate how social media can perpetuate ableist tropes, such as casting disabled people as inspirations or charity cases. When Bliss cracks under the pressure, Lainey rushes to her aid—and everything changes. Lainey’s and Bliss’ alternating first-person perspectives weave between past and present, building uneasily to a shocking, tension-filled twist. Though somewhat heavy-handed at times, their respective narratives highlight numerous critical issues, including the pitfalls of social media influencing, the psychology of parasocial relationships, disability and financial concerns, and the complicated aftermath of divorce. Lainey and Bliss are white, and there’s racial diversity among the secondary characters.

A gripping cautionary tale.