Influential

Product Information

I think this author did a great job with handling this really sensitive overarching topic while also sharing an important story of love and community. As a reader and a librarian is extremely important that we explore social media and the toxicity it can have to teenagers and their mental health and wellbeing. The only reason I didn’t rate Influential five stars was because I thought the ending was a bit… cringey 😬 It kind of felt like everything was resolved a bit too easily/quickly.

His hate messages are threatening, and he threatens Almond with even more… Amara Sage‘s debut title is raw and unflinching. Yourself and Bob are much cherished in our booky world and I personally really appreciate everything that you do. Also can we give it up to the cover designer of this book because it is absolutely stunning and that person that created it needs a rise and that rainbow holographic foil, stunning! They would also only drop off a case of books and leave us to run it – it was so lovely to have you on hand to chat to the children and recommend them books, as well as the small (but appreciated!Influential,” written by Sage Amara, is an engaging and thought-provoking book that dives deep into the perils of internet fame and its impact on mental health. It’s topical Insta vs reality check in, made it so readable and relatable and I’m a several age spans away from YA readers. I didn’t expect to completely fall in love with a story about the ins and outs of social media, but here I am, neck-deep into not only the mere photos people post on the internet, but also the devastating impact it can have on others—and that’s exactly what Almond Brown’s story reveals. We also have a burgeoning relationship with Almond and Joss from her therapy group - I felt like they fell in love too instantly for it to be truly realistic but it was cute.

Another thing that this book deals with really well is the premature sexualisation of women bodies and subtle misogyny that women deal with everyday. Working in a school or even as a bookstagrammer we focus far too much on what looks good that we don’t see what is happening behind the photo. With snappy pacing and an intriguing plot, the book can be devoured within a few hours, leaving a lasting impression.Mel and Sid are determined to do this together, but they soon discover that pregnancy is totally different for boys and girls. Facebook sets this cookie to show relevant advertisements to users by tracking user behaviour across the web, on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin. But I’m typing this with the sea in front of me whilst I’m on holiday, relaxing and just feeling refreshed I can say that I am so much better and I look forward to writing more on my blog. Too scared to voice what she wants, not wanting to let down her own mother, things get pushed and suppressed, and nothing positive ever comes out of that. I think this took a really good look at teen mental health through the lens of social media and influencing.

I think this book is a really solid and strong debut novel and I would recommend this book to any one who has grow up with the internet and the pressure that creates. Influential" casts a strong and unrelenting light on the influencer industry, intersections of the mommy blogger/child influencer genre, beauty and teen use of social media. Another part of this book that I didn't really feel like we needed was the romance like I am not bothered about the fact that there was a romance between Almond and Joss because I just didn't think it needed to be a thing, it didn't add anything to the story but it also didn't take anything away from the story but I did think they were cute but I just didn't care. I think the themes within this book were approached with a lot of care, and it didn’t glamourise social media fame but rather flipped that on its head.There are some really complex characters - from Almond, to Heather, a straight-talking, golden hearted plus size girl who refuses to fit into the mold, to Imogen, another influencer with a perky Barbie-like exterior who is crumbling beneath the pressure of a mother she is never good enough for, to Joss - the caring, gentle, funny love interest we all dream of finding in our own lives. And the ending made me very happy, especially with Immy and how they were still there fo her after all she's done. Maybe I didn't experience online hate, but I was bullied for many years of my life, so I couldn't help thinking of myself and what I felt back then. The beginning felt incredibly slow, then suddenly, midway through, some twists and turns happened, but towards the end, it became dull again.