Originally reviewed on The Hardcover Lover




Before I really begin my review, I should state that this book is technically a part of the Charlie Joe Jackson series, but it is technically a spin-off novel. From what I understand, Charlie has been serving as the narrator, but this time, his friend, Katie Friedman, narrates and tells readers a story of her own. There is even a little introduction at the beginning of the book for readers ( me) who have never read the other books in this series, but it also serves as a refresher for readers who have read other books in the series.

I'm probably one of the very last people on Earth who still hasn't upgraded to a smartphone. Because of this, I had a hard time imagining how hard it would be to give up my phone for a week because I really don't use it. Then I started thinking about my other devices - laptop, iPod, and Kindle Fire - I use to do many of the things that people use smartphones for. Yeah... it would probably be hard.

Katie Friedman Gives Up Texting is a well-thought-out and delightfully wonderful middle grade novel that explores the problems kids (and probably adults) face when our eyes are constantly glued to a screen. I admired Tommy Greenwald's decision to write this book because it needed to be written. It's no lie that kids spend way too much time connected with each other through phones instead of in real life. Sometimes people just need to unplug to connect, and Greenwald's story of Katie and her friends (both new and old) is a great example for preteens and younger teenagers.

Greenwald's writing style is simple and perfect for middle grade readers. The chapters in the book vary in length, but most of them are short in length. It is a pretty quick read (at least for me), so I could see kids in the tween crowd reading this in a few days. In the beginning of the book, Greenwald seamlessly includes text messages as part of the dialogue, and I'm sure that would draw in the phone savvy generation of readers that we now have. I also d the illustrations included in the book. They were cute, but they didn't really take away from the reading experience.

Some events and details in this book are completely unbelievable, but they are cute and quirky enough to entertain the tween crowd. Some events are just inspirational, and kids reading this book would be impressed. I found myself smiling, laughing, and even frowning at times because of how marvelously Greenwald shows Katie's emotions.

I did have a few problems with this book. Aside from a few completely unrealistic things going on, I found myself confused at times. The goal in the book is for Katie and ten friends to give up their phones for a week. It just seems too many characters all at once. I had a hard time remembering who was who, and I found myself frustrated because of this. It's cute, but I wish that Greenwald would have taken more time to introduce readers to these characters.

Altogether, Katie Friedman Gives Up Texting is an entertaining middle grade book that also serves as a way to inconspicuously educate young kids about really connecting with their friends and peers. It's enjoyable enough to read in one sitting, and I'm sure that kids will be talking about it and their cell phones after reading it. I'd recommend this book for kids between eleven and fourteen because most kids get their first cell phone in those years but it also teaches the preteen crowd that it's still okay to leave your phone and just be a kid.2015-aaya-a-z-challenge arc booksfortrade ...more2 s Liz Friend978 89

The story: Challenged by her favorite singer to get a group of friends to give up texting for a week (and with an awesome prize dangling in front of her if she succeeds), Katie Friedman does what feels the impossible: she goes phone-free for an entire week--and lives to tell about it!

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; substance abuse G; magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes G; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: Charlie Joe Jackson's best friend, Katie Friedman, is a funny narrator dealing with a very real problem: kids' (and adults') seeming inability to put down their devices and engage in a face-to-face conversation. But here's proof for everyone that it can be done...and with minimum casualties!

Annotation with spoilers: Katie Friedman has been going out with Nareem Ramdal for almost a year, and she's ready to move on (it's middle school, after all!). She's planning to break up with him when he tells her he has concert tickets for her favorite band ever: Plain Jane--plus backstage passes to meet the band, courtesy of his dad, who works with the group in marketing. She decides not to break up with him after all, and both the concert, and meeting Jane Plantero, her favorite singer, are fabulous moments. Jane, who's down on cell phones and how they get in the way of real human interactions, offers Katie a deal: if she can get 10 of her friends to go cell-phone-free for an entire week, she'll bring them all up onstage with her during her next concert. AND they'll sing a song that Katie wrote herself (not that she's done it yet--but she's going to get to work on that right away). Of course, Katie can't tell her friends WHY she's doing a moratorium on phone use--that's the real challenge.

Katie is finally convinced to do it when a text meant for Charlie Joe Jackson (saying that she really doesn't Nareem any more) accidentally ends up going to Nareem, who's understandably hurt by it. Realizing that texting is really complicating her life, Katie goes on the wagon, and for various reason, ten other kids sign up to do it too.

During the course of the week, the non-phone kids find themselves being called the Cavemen (cuz they've gone back to the day when no one had a phone), while the kids who hang on to their (notably, Charlie Joe Jackson) get called the Phonies. In the course of conversations, both sides of the debate get brought up; then, just one day short of the end, there's a revolt among the Cavemen, who all decide they want their phones back. Yelling, Katie kind of shames them all into completing their deal, but by now, she's ashamed of herself for acting that way.

Katie tells former enemy Eliza (now a friend, through the miracle of No Technology) about her deal with Jane, and how bummed she is that the ten of them won't be going to Jane's next concert. By way of the notes Katie passes through Nareem and his father (a business associate of Jane's) Eliza lets Jane know what really happened, and at the end of the story, as Katie performs a solo at the school talent show without her band (a subplot is being resolved here, where the girls in her band, who are much less dedicated to music than she is, decide to break up the band so Katie can go solo), she is joined onstage by Jane Plantero, which is a pretty sweet end to the evening, and to the experiment as well. Katie decides that it's okay to live with technology, as long as you're careful about it...a conclusion it wouldn't hurt quite a few grown-ups to reach!contemporary-fiction humorous-fiction1 Nam348

I am one of those people who is not addicted to my phone, but so many people do have this addiction. I don't text much or use any social media, unless you include Goodreads... Therefore, I cannot relate to the addictions that they suffer from. This does not mean that I don't understand it. Kids are growing up with these devices glued to their hands as soon as they are able to play a game on their parent's phone. It's all too much, and it was wonderful to read about taking life back from technology. Technology is great, but as with anything, it can be overdone. I think a lot of kids and adults a could do with learning a little something from Katie. Reconnect with those who matter to you, and stop living in a virtual world. Use technology to enhance life, not to live it. Kenneth2

This is a fun read that addresses technology addiction without being too or simplistic. Author Tommy Greenwald creates a great story that begins with an all-too-common occurrence. Sending a text to the wrong person. As the characters deal with the fallout of the mistext, Greenwald shows them to be tweens who are surprisingly open and forthcoming in their face-to-face communication.he book isn't designed to get kids to give up tech, but it will make them think twice before getting addicted to tech.
Amelia178 1 follower

I d this book because it was about kids my age who couldn't stop using there phones. I can definitely relate to this which is why I d reading this book. Katie Friedman then gets 10 friends to give up their phones. I d reading the process. You saw the flaws and the good things that came out of their little experiment! Suzanne Dix1,429 61

Totally enjoyable! A great middle school read about how all-consuming texting and smartphone usage can be. Tommy Greenwald had created a whole cast of memorable characters.

Grades 4 and up.friendship laugh-out-loud realistic ...more Elisabeth Hays44 2

Not my cup of tea, but it had a good storyline and presents the pros and cons of phones. I'm not sure if come of the dialogue is truly how tweens talk but I'm sure it's how they would act and react.realistic-fiction Error34 1 follower

This one is honestly kinda... Boring? I don't know. I the message but really this is my least favorite. 6.5/10 Jennifer Gallman123 2

No matter what our age, we all need a reminder to put down our electronic devices and just enjoy some honest, face-to-face communication. It seems that we are on our devices 24 hours a day. In school, it's a constant struggle with my high school students to gain their attention long enough to teach a lesson, and as soon as I'm done, they've picked up their phones. Even as an adult, I can say that I'm on my phone way too much, and after reading this book, I'm working on cutting back.

Katie Friedman is in middle school, and that comes with a lot of awkward territory. Her best friend is Charlie Joe Jackson (and you may have read Greenwald's other books featuring Charlie Joe), and her boyfriend is Nareem, the sweetest guy you could ever meet. But there's a problem: Katie really isn't "into" Nareem anymore. Finally deciding to break up with him, Nareem quickly interrupts and tells her that he has backstage passes to the upcoming Plain Jane concert, which happens to be Katie's favorite band. Deciding to hold off until after the concert, Katie puts the breakup on hold.

Katie meets the lead singer, Jane, and becomes even more enthralled with the idea of becoming a musician. Jane instructs the audience to put down the cell phones and just learn how to communicate to each other. Later, Katie is texting Charlie and Nareem at the same time and accidentally texts Nareem that she really doesn't him anymore. Realizing what she's done, Katie vows to stop using her phone and computer for a week. Making a deal with Jane, Katie needs to get ten other students to do this as well, and this experiment starts a war between the "Phonies" and the "Cavemen."

We can probably all say that we've mistakenly sent a text or at least said something negative about someone else through text, and Katie's message really hits home with me as an adult. I read this book in about two hours, but not because it's an easy read. I really enjoyed the fast-paced plot and seeing what the outcome of Katie's ordeal would be.

In Breakfast Club style, Greenwald brings together a group of students that wouldn't normally talk to each other. Illustrating what can happen when kids aren't so absorbed with the next popular app or funny video, Greenwald sends a message to technology users of all ages. Put down the phone, maybe not for a week, but for a dinner, for a conversation, for a day. I enjoyed Coovert's illustrations as well and thought they were appropriate for the age group.

We've all had that Katie moment where we smack our head with hand and say "oops," but learning how to correct that mistake is what is important here. Even if you hurt someone, building trust and forgiveness is what will move a friendship forward. What a message for tweens, teens, and adults. www.comingatya.com Jenna350 21

After Katie accidentally sends a text meant for her friend Charlie Joe to her boyfriend and hears Jane, the lead singer of her favorite band, taking an anti-cell phone stance, she decides to give up her phone. When Jane hears about it (she conveniently knows Katie’s boyfriend’s father and is from Katie’s hometown), she offers an incentive: if Katie and ten friends can last a week without their phones, they get backstage passes to her next concert. The catch is Katie can’t tell her friends about that part — that would be too easy.

On some levels I can’t relate to Katie at all. I don’t even have a cell phone, so I’m not texting my friends instead of talking to them (when they’re right next to me!) or ignoring the people I’m out for dinner with in favor of posting on Facebook or Twitter. But I do have an iPad and I’m probably a little too attached to it when I’m home, especially now that I’m playing Game of War so much. The device doesn’t matter. It’s whatever is a distraction from the world around you; it could even be a book.

I enjoyed the range of reactions from the parents, from skepticism to one mother’s near panic at the thought of not being able to get in touch with her son at any minute. I wonder how she thinks her parents coped raising her in a mostly pre-cell phone world. The kids have a variety of reactions as well. Most agree to give it a try, but some don’t last long and take their phones back. This causes a divide between the two groups of kids and things get pretty heated. In the end, they all — especially Katie — learn something about communication and about friendship.

Katie is a character in the Charlie Joe Jackson series, which I have not read. I probably will pick it up because I d the book and the characters. Charlie Joe appears in this book, and I’m looking forward to a few glimpses of Katie in the Charlie Joe books, as well as getting to know more about Charlie Joe.2015 library middle-grade Heidi128 7

Katie Friedman whose best friends with Charlie Joe Jackson is a typical middle schooler; texting, posting, and Instagraming which consumes a lot of her time. She comes to the realization how much of her time she spends texting when one afternoon she wants to actually talk about an important decision with her friends and instead everyone is texting or using their phones.

It isn't until Katie accidentally sends a text message intended for Charlie Joe Jackson but to her boyfriend Nareem that it produces disastrous consequences. Katie then decides to use her remorse and writes a new song as part of a challenge for her favorite musician Jane from the band Plain Jane.

If Katie can convince 10 friends to join her and give up their phones for a week, Jane will give them all backstage passes to a show and even bring them up on stage where Jane will play Katie's new song. The real kicker is that Katie can't tell her friends about the deal, or playing Katie's song, or inviting them on stage.

Katie and her friends end up enjoying the "real communication" that happens when they put their phones away but also miss the benefits of cell phones. They do discover meaningful things about themselves and each other throughout the week.

Readers will discover that there is communication beyond their electronics and no matter how you communicate, honesty and connecting meaningful with one another is the most important thing.

The illustrations capture the wit and mishaps and triumphs of Katie. Fans of the Charlie Joe Jackson series will enjoy getting to know Katie and Charlie Joe's friendship better. Another amusing book for fans and for readers who to read fun books.cell-phones humor juv-fiction ...more Susie1,736 22

Hilarious but insightful. I have listened to all 4 of the Charlie Joe Jackson books, but this one wasn't available in audio yet. Somehow, I could still "hear" this one and the voices as I read it.

Did I find myself checking my email as I watched TV, used Facebook and twitter and read the book? Yes. (That did make the book last a little longer.)

From the beginning of the book, when Katie says, ""it would have been easier just to text Charlie Joe, so we could have had a real conversation" to the end when the characters actually do communicate better in person, there's a lot to think about here. I worry about kids and adults becoming too addicted to their electronics. It is not just children, teens, and young adults.

My family used to participate (kicking and screaming) in "TV-Turnoff Week" (which has now become Screen-Free Week) We experienced many of the changes the characters in the book do.

Certainly, some of the events in the book are a little improbable, but they're not outlandish, just funny. Many of the best lines are still Charlie Joe's. I that the counselor and teacher are portrayed in a favorable light, and Katie's parents are very reasonable. Jake's mom may be a little over the top, but that helps make a point.

I would question leaving 11 phones in an unlocked locker for a week, and why does Katie say song lyrics have to rhyme?

I can't wait to share this with students after break. Barbara13.6k 289

Inspired by her favorite singer, Jane Plantero, to give up texting for a brief period, Katie Friedman draws even more inspiration for doing so when she sends a text meant for her friend Charlie Joe Jackson to someone else and hurts the feelings of the unintended recipient. As she tries to enlist her other classmates in going cellphone free, all sorts of problems ensue, including parents who can't cope with being unable to communicate with their children constantly, and honest, face-to-face conversations that are perhaps a little too honest for Katie's taste. In this sixth title in the series, the author tackles the issue of perhaps being too connected for our own good in a humorous but pointed way, even making it clear that it can be hard to be creative when someone is too busy responding to text messages. As is the case with all of the books in this series, the voice is clear, confident, and authentic, insuring that middle grade readers will gravitate to the book, which sounds as though it could have been written by one of them. I can think of no higher a compliment than that. Who knows? The book and Katie's cellphone-free experiment just might prompt other youngsters to see how long they can go without theirs.character-building community compassion ...more Paula825 6

Fans of the Charlie Joe Jackson series will embrace this title that features his good friend Katie Freidman. Katie’s in a jam because she accidentally sent a break-up text to her boyfriend. After meeting her idol, musician Jane Plantero, and telling her about the mix-up, Jane, a self-described anti-techie, tells Katie that if she and ten of her friends will give up cell phones for one week, Jane will sing Katie’s song at her next concert and give tickets and backstage passes to Katie and her friends. As they plod through the next seven days phoneless, Katie and her friends discover much about themselves. There is a way to communicate beyond electronics, and face-to-face conversations are sometimes more effective and satisfying. The text is not preachy and shows a balance between the two: the kids realize that both forms of communication have their own distinct advantages. Middle grade readers will be able to relate to the issues and the characters, though the plot is somewhat forced. There are a few black-and-white cartoons scattered through the book. The title is a good choice for social commentary discussions and would be a good choice for reading aloud as well. Andrea10 1 follower

Original Summary: Katie is a young girl in middle school with the thumbs of a cheetah. She is constantly typing away, even when she is supposed to be. It isn't until the day that a text goes wrong that she understands the dangers of her cell phone. Katie and a few of her friends decide to give up their phones for a whole week! Katie and her friends learn more about each other than they ever would have via text and that sometimes we need to disconnect in order to connect.

5 higher level thinking questions:
1. What are the pros and cons of having a cell phone/ smart phone?
2. Do you think that Katie would have given up her cell phone if it wasn't for her deal with Jane?
3. Do you agree with Jake's reasoning when he took his phone back early?
4. Do you think you would be able to go a whole week or longer without your cell phone? why or why not?
5. Do you think it was wrong of Katie to ask her friends to give up their phones for the week for her own personal reasons?

APA Citation:
Greenwald, T. (2015). Katie friedman gives up texting!: And lives to tell about it. New York, NY: Faber And Faber.
children-s-lit Lisa2,350 13

Everyone in middle school are always on their phones, texting, tweeting, watching you tubes. No one connects any more. When Katie’s boyfriend Nareem invites her to a Plain Jane Concert (Katie’s favorite band), Jane stops the show to ask everyone to put away their phones and just enjoy the concert. Is texting out of control? It sure seems it. When Katie sends a text to Nareem that was meant for Charlie Joe, that seems to be the last straw. Katie gives up texting, but a challenge from Jane to get 10 friends to also give up their phones for a week gets practically the whole school involved. But not everyone thinks giving up phones is a good idea.

Greenwald makes a statement about the way kids use their devices. (Not talking face to face, saying things you’d never say out loud, talking about other people - causing drama) Parent/Teacher perspectives and the use of social media are all addressed. This fun book is an essential part of the Charlie Joe Jackson series. Timely and fun.

Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT CourtenayAuthor 1 book3

Interesting to me what resonates. I picked this up to see what all the rage was about texting (I'm an adult, old school) and while I personally will not cave to cell phones and texting myself, I understand the important role it plays for many people. I have a 10-year-old who will soon be facing these same communications pressures when she goes to middle school next year. I thought Greenwald handled the topic of communication and how use of texting and cell phones can backfire, but also showed how they're handy, in such a way that middle school kids will get, appreciate, and love. Surprisingly, I had an emotional reaction to this one that required a 5-star review. Well done, well done. NYC Reads 365223 39

"Here is a book every young teen can relate to! Kids hanging out together and texting each other at the same time. Katie wants to break up with her boyfriend until she finds out he wants to invite her to see her favorite band The Plain Janes. The band leader ask them all to put their devices away, to make eye contact, to connect, to make music. It gives Katie an idea: for her and her friends to to give up their cell phones for a week and start a band. Well, as you must imagine, it just ain't that easy."familiar-realistic-life fiction grade-6 ...more Nickie1,152 3

Won an autographed copy from the author =D

Great message about how much we have become disconnected from people. Technology is making people less social and less sensitive to others. Really enjoyed the whole set up. Good book for your middle schooler to read while grounded from their cell phone possibly...august-2015-2016 my-bookcase Brenda Kahn3,719 57

The Charlie Joe Jackson fun continues only this time, CJJ steps back and his pal Katie Friedman takes the stage. While some of the plot requires a bit of belief suspension (happily complied), Greenwald continues to craft deft, humorous child-centric stories that reflect the glory and foibles of the tween years in the 21st century. This installment should be welcomed by fans.2014-reading cell-phones humorous ...more Tracie1,957

The story revolves around Katie and ten friends giving up their cell phones for a week. The week has ups and downs; in some ways it is way cooler than it seems and in some ways it is worse than they imagined. In the end, they have all learned something about communicating - maybe.
This could be a good discussion book about communicating and cell phone use.
j Annajune544 2

Fun book, good teaching moments for kids with all this technology in their lives: don't let it control you. I laughed because I read this all in one sitting but did have to stop a couple of times to reply to a text. :)kids Stacy268436

Super solid and exploring a topic kids will totally relate to. My library is filled every morning with kids, heads down, "interacting" through their phones. Greenwald has the MS voice down. illustrated-novel tween Dylan Kirsch17 2

Pure Funny. (: Dylan Kirsch17 2

As always, THE BEST Tommy. Kwa-Si H1 review

This book Is a Great book!!! Elizabeth131 Want to read

technology column, April, 20162015 novel technology Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens2,791 60

Could YOU last a week without your favorite technology?!?!childrens-books humor realistic Rishab43

About how phones have taken over this world of young kids Michelle467 21 Read

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