Finally Heard

Gr 4-6–Lina Gao of Finally Seen is back in Yang’s latest novel, learning to find her voice amid new technology and pubescent self-esteem struggles. Lina’s mom is hoping to grow her small bath bomb business with the help of a social media influencer—until she discovers the cost. Encouraged by her daughters, Mrs. Gao creates her own simple, heartfelt video, which quickly garners a wave of positive attention. Lina, despite feeling uncomfortable in her changing body, flexes her creative muscles and, with the help of her best buds, begins creating social media promotion videos for her mom and other struggling small businesses. Things are going great until Lina’s mom hands over her phone (and unfettered social media access) to Lina permanently. Yang’s novel posits the Internet as the great equalizer, in ways both good and bad. On the plus side, it allows small businesses to spread the word about their products freely, and one’s creative visions can be realized with a few taps on a screen. Conversely, kids and grown-ups alike struggle with misinformation, trolls, insecurity, addiction, and scams. In addition to offering plenty of food for thought in her characters’ choices, Yang smartly employs Lina’s teacher as a conduit for sharing information about the effects of social media on the brain. The lesson learned is how to make healthier technology choices rather than abstaining from it entirely.