• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Since moving hundreds of miles to a new school, Daria has become increasingly dependent on her cell phone.

Texts, Facebook and phone calls are her only connection to her friends in Calgary, and Daria needs to know everything that is going on at home to feel connected to her old life. Her cell phone habit looks a lot like addiction to her mother and to her new friend Cleo. Daria dismisses the idea of technology addiction as foolish until her habit puts a life in danger.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

Lois Peterson wrote short stories and articles for adults for twenty years before turning to writing for kids. She was bornin England and has lived in Iraq, France and the United States. Recently retired from her job as a librarian, she now lives in Surrey, British Columbia, where she writes, reads and teaches creative writing to adults, teens and children. Lois is the author of several books for children and youth, including Beyond Repair in the Orca Currents series.

Lois Peterson's profile page

"This high interest, low vocabulary book is written for a generation that is used to being 'plugged in.'...Didactic without being preachy, Peterson will connect with her audience without losing them for judging one of the central means her audience uses to communicate."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Young teens will identify with the dependence on technology to remain connected in this book written for reluctant readers. The high interest, timely subject will be make for lively discussion for middle school readers."

Library Media Connection

"[Orca Currents] cover up-to-the-minute topics in a fast-paced, captivating style...These are smart books that will hold the interest of reluctant middle school readers and would be a good purchase for all libraries...In Disconnect Peterson offers complex characterizations and a rich plot."

VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) Magazine

"An effective, up-to-the-minute look at a very real problem that will resonate with the vast majority of teens in love with their communication gadgets and social media."

Booklist

"Interesting and enagaging. Including themes of moving to a new city, flirting with boys, and general teenage anxiety, Peterson makes this more than a single-issue story."

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