Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Engaging friends' story centers on science of social media.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In FINALLY HEARD, young Lina and her sister make some simple videos to post online to help their Chinese immigrant mom promote her struggling new business. When Lina starts to see the events she wasn't invited to, the houses fancier than her own, and especially the comments in her classmates' group chat, she starts spinning. Soon she thinks the only way to solve the problem is to do the same things right back. But things get ugly, and Lina is faced with some tough decisions about what to say out loud in her very real school life instead of an online world she can hide in.
Is It Any Good?
Lina's angst about her life is palpable and relatable, and showing the science behind those feelings allows readers a level of patience with themselves and others when dealing with social situations. Her reaction to puberty and her changing body in Finally Heard is intertwined with her family's socioeconomic status and the bombardment of feelings about her classmates' online lives, and Lina's sense that things are out of her control will resonate with young readers. The explanation of social media, the facts of the science that triggers behaviors and emotions, and the way Lina and her family communicate with each other gives a good foundation for readers to think about their own approach to online lives. Knowing that these reactions are based in science gives an explanation but not an excuse: kids see that there's a reason they react in certain ways, but they are still held responsible for those reactions. The pages of research and resources at the end of the book are a valuable addition to an engaging read.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how they interact online, and if they've felt the way Lina does in Finally Heard. How do you feel when you hear about something fun other people did that you weren't a part of?
What can you do to have a more positive online experience? What should you avoid doing?
What do you think of social media? Is it good, bad, complicated, or something else?
Being honest and having integrity -- doing the right thing, even when no one is watching -- are important to friendships and family relationships in this book. Why is it so important to tell the truth and do the right thing when it comes to people you care about?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Integrity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : February 27, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 352
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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