Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Poignant, powerful dystopian tale about friendship and tech.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE SECOND LIFE OF SNAP begins when Snap (Secure Network Android Processor) is given to Zuzu's father by the company that just laid him off from work. Snap is programmed to be a guardian, well, really more of a babysitter, to Zuzu to make sure she stays out of trouble while her father is away from home all day. Zuzu resents Snap, and remembers how her teacher, Ms. Dagney, warns her students not to trust any robots, ever. When Zuzu's friend Elias manages to connect his tablet to Snap's CPU, something changes in Snap, and Zuzu starts to feel that there's more to him than just circuits and wires. Her affection for Snap grows into what feels like real friendship, and when a big storm hits, Snap puts himself in danger to make sure everyone in their community is safe. It starts to seem like they can't do without Snap, but without a charger, how long will his battery last and what will happen to him if it runs down to zero?
Is It Any Good?
This engaging, moving, and suspenseful dystopian tale deftly explores bonds of friendship, loyalty, and technology. With The Second Life of Snap, author Erin Entrada Kelly keeps up her winning streak of compelling stories with realistic, relatable characters (even robot Snap!) in intriguing, suspenseful situations. The story is poignant, exciting, and laced with warm humor. The near-future setting feels familiar enough to draw in even readers who haven't read much (or haven't enjoyed) sci-fi or dystopian stories. Kelly's skilled writing style slips in definitions for advanced vocabulary words in natural, conversational, and sometimes even funny ways, helping kids understand unfamiliar concepts while staying engaged with the story. There's lots of important food for thought for big kids and tweens about technology, its uses, and the importance of community.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about technology in The Second Life of Snap. How does the Lockwood company use technology? How do Zuzu and friends do without much access to technology? How do you think our society can make the best of advances in tech?
How do the characters show their loyalty to and empathy for one another? Why are they so important in Zuzu's world?
Before you read this, did you know much about artificial intelligence? What did you learn about it? Has the story changed the way you think about it?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Dystopia , Friendship , Robots
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Greenwillow Books
- Publication date : May 12, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 176
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : June 8, 2026
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