There's a fine line between safety and invasion of privacy in Averil Offline, a thought-provoking middle-grade mystery by Amy Noelle Parks (Summer of Brave).
Twelve-year old Averil loves to code, but that doesn't mean she loves all technology. Her "nemesis" is a reclusive coder named Rider Woollyback, inventor of the Ruby Slippers app that Averil's parents insist she and her older sister keep on their phones. With Ruby Slippers, Averil's mom knows the instant she steps off her usual route to school or wanders into the woods to sketch on her way home. Averil doesn't like to lie, but she needs privacy, so she and her friends have found subtle ways to slip the app's all-seeing eye. But when word gets out that an impending update will allow parents to remotely turn on camera and audio at any time, Averil and classmate Max decide to seek out Rider Woollyback and convince him to cancel the update before it's too late.
Averil Offline is a rapid and powerful exploration of privacy and consent and what people are willing to give up in the name of safety. The parents in Averil's world love that Ruby Slippers gives constant updates on their child's whereabouts; Averil wonders if it's worth it if the app leads to kids feeling like they're not trusted. When does safety become overprotection? When does letting a child make a mistake become letting them be in harm's way? Surprisingly funny, insightful, and sharp, Averil Offline thoroughly entertains as it opens the door for important conversations. --Kyla Paterno, freelance reviewer