Unplugged



Last updated Saturday, April 4, 2026

Author: Gordon Korman
Date of Publication: 2021
ISBN: 0062798898
Grade Level: 5th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Apr. 2026

Synopsis: As the son of the world's most famous tech billionaire, spoiled Jett Baranov has always gotten what he wanted. So when his father's private jet drops him in the middle of the Arkansas wilderness, at a place called the Oasis, Jett can't believe it. He's forced to hand over his cell phone, eat grainy veggie patties, and participate in wholesome activities with the other kids, who he has absolutely no interest in hanging out with.

As the weeks go on, Jett starts to get used to the unplugged life and even bonds with the other kids over their discovery of a baby-lizard-turned-pet, Needles. But he can't help noticing that the adults at the Oasis are acting really strange.

Jett is determined to get to the bottom of things, but can he convince everybody that he is no longer just a spoiled brat who is making trouble?

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Jett is the 12-year-old son of a Tech Billionaire. As punishment for his latest very serious prank, he has been sent to “Wellness” camp in remote Arkansas for six weeks and is expected to be “unplugged” for that time (meaning NO ACCESS to technology of any kind).

READERS: If there is a map or globe in the room, see if you can point out the San Francisco Bay area and Arkansas on it.
•  Have you ever tried to be “unplugged”? What were you doing at the time (camping, special activity)? Why did you do it? How did you feel?
•  Have you ever gone on a sleep-away camp or any day camp where you were unplugged? What was it like? Did you like it? Did it have a theme: ecology, art, cowboy)?

Vocabulary:
•  unplugged: To be disconnected from the world of electronic gadgets and be unreachable by those means.
•  Silicon Valley: a region in Northern California along the west shore of the San Francisco Bay, that stretches from San Jose to San Francisco, that is a major center for high-tech manufacturing and numerous web-based corporations.
•  wellness: the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal through diet, exercise and good mental health.
•  meditation: clearing your mind of all thought, or focusing on one thought, both done in an effort to achieve calmness, relaxation, and a greater understanding of life.
•  vegetarian: a person who follows a diet that does not include any meat products like beef or fish but may include dairy and eggs.
•  vegan: a person who follows and very strict form of vegetarianism and does not eat any animal products but only plant products.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What do you think about Jett as a person and his behavior? Is he the kind of kid you might what to have as a friend? If he wasn’t an extremely rich kid, do you think anyone would want to be his friend?
•  Are you or have you ever tried to be a vegetarian? What is it like? Has your family ever tried having a day without meat during any meal (Meatless Monday)? How did you like it?
•  Have you ever eaten a “veggie burger”? What did you think?
•  There is a drawing of “Needles” on the over of the book. The kids think it’s a baby lizard that wandered into camp some-how. What do you think it is?

READERS: The kids will want to finish to book to find out. Needles and how it got to the camp is an important element to the story and why Jett thinks something “funny” is going on.

Craft ideas:
•  Wednesday, April 22nd is Earth Day. Draw a poster or flyer that has an Earth Day theme.
•  Discuss amongst yourselves: If you were to go away a camp with a theme, what would it be? Space, sports, artist’s or think of your own theme. What would you do? Include a list of different activities.

Special activities:
•  Do the Word Search

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!