Common Sense Media Review
By Lucinda Dyer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Uneven mystery explores the dark side of social media.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
RETRO begins with two best friends, Luna and Samantha, shopping at a local mall. When Samantha lets Luna take the fall for the items she's stolen, Luna retaliates by posting a video of a drunken Samantha trashing other students at their high school on a social media platform called Limbo. Luna has second thoughts and deletes the video, but it's too late and Samantha attempts suicide. While Samantha does recover, Limbo doesn't take down the trolls attacking Samantha. When Luna reaches out to Limbo, she gets a surprising response — Limbo is coming to El Dorado High with something called a Retro Challenge as away to help the student body "heal." The winner of the challenge will receive a full ride scholarship to college, something Luna desperately needs. But to win, students have to give up (with certain exceptions) all technology made after 2000. The contestants include students who are outsiders like Luna and even Alex, one of the "Goldens," the most popular kids in school. It's not long before Luna finds herself not only making unexpected new friends but also developing a surprising romantic relationship with Alex. At first the contest seems fun, dressing in vintage clothes and listening to music on a Walkman. But Limbo is filming all of the contestants and then posting those videos. Videos none of the techless teens can see, so they have no idea Limbo is turning some of the contestants into media celebrities with students like Luna racking up thousands of followers. Then some of Luna's friends don't just get eliminated from the contest, they begin to disappear -- and Luna fears she may be next.
Is It Any Good?
After a brisk and compelling beginning, the story noticeably slows down and only gets moving again as it nears what readers may find is a let down of a conclusion. Readers who are fans of all things Retro (non-smart technology, vintage clothes, and rock classics) should enjoy seeing how the characters successfully navigate a tech-filled world. And all readers can benefit from the important lessons the characters learn by disconnecting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Retro highlights the dark side of social media. Do you think social media platforms do enough to protect someone who's being bullied or harassed?
Luna, Alex, Mini, Darrell, and Kilo make unlikely teammates. Have you ever been part of a team that learned to work together despite your differences?
What 21st century devices and social media platforms could you give up for a year? Which ones would you never ever give up?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : January 24, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 386
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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