Do your kids chat online? This acclaimed novel's engaging, first-person narrative draws readers in, and also builds awareness about internet safety.
Maxine and Leah used to have so much fun chatting with boys online. Their other friends were jealous of their new relationships, and their parents were oblivious to the love notes being emailed back and forth. So what if Max and Leah lied about their ages and where they lived ... it was just a website ... just for fun. But when Leah disappeared, Max realized that they weren't the only ones telling lies online.
Through her daily journal entries, Max shares the horrible feeling of betrayal, the crushing loss of Leah, and the struggle to move on after all that has happened.
A list of internet safety tips for readers (and parents and teachers) is included in the final pages of the book.
Extras:
Curriculum Links for Dear Jo: the Story of Losing Leah and Searching for Hope
Read a sample chapter from the book
Students voting in the New York State Reading Association's Charlotte Award interview author, Christina Kilbourne
TeensReadToo.com interviews Christina Kilbourne
Free Teachers' Guide / Lesson Plan
Accelerated Reader Quiz from Renaissance Learning
Additional Formats:
“The novel has a strong message but it doesn’t interfere with the storytelling. Maxine is well developed with the unsure voice of a preteen ... compelling ... experiences mirror those of many girls caught up in their own online 'love.'” – School Library Journal, July 2007
“... a terrific, readable plot and is also able to deal sensitively with a current and serious social problem ... combines mystery, adventure and high emotion while educating young readers at the same time. Kilbourne has provided a public service as well as a great young adult novel ... should be in every classroom and every library in the country!” – CM: Canadian Review of Materials, April 2007
“This little book goes a long way towards showing how real is the danger that internet predators pose and how easily one can become ensnared ... Rated E for Excellent.” – Resource Links, June 2007
“... an all too real account of the dangers that lurk inside Internet chat rooms ...” – The Globe and Mail, April 2007
“Kilbourne
has constructed an excellent, topically mature, novel that every
child with Internet access should read … This book is a must have
for every public library and school library, and for anyone wanting
to inform children about the surprising dangers of the Internet. It
is powerful without being preachy.” – Children's Literature,
2007
“Kilbourne tenderly explores a difficult subject in a novel that culminates in healing.” – Montreal Review of Books, Spring 2007
“We are currently doing a read aloud in our classroom of Dear Jo – this book deals with internet safety and awareness of the dangers that exist online. I have been so happy at how well the students have received this story, and it has generated many thoughtful and important discussions. I will be buying a copy for our classroom use, as the students all want to read it again.” – Cheryl Anderson, Grade 7 Teacher (SK)
“The author captures the world of adolescents and her writing provoked much discussion in our classroom and around the staff room table ... Dear Jo has been described as the favourite novel of many students in my class and has not only allowed me the opportunity as a teacher to discuss the many elements and traits of reading and writing, but also the means to discuss internet safety and keeping safe from predators. Students wanted to talk about the impact of one missing person can have on numerous families, communities, schools, etc. and share their feelings about what they hear on the news and read in the paper. I highly recommend Dear Jo for the classroom and will continue to use it in my classroom library and read alouds.” – Anne Dempsey, Grade 6 Teacher, St. Stephen Middle School (NB)
“This is one of the most important books I have read this year and has been included on my 'books which belong on any bookcase' list. If your tween or teen only reads one book this year, Dear Jo should be the one.” – The Literary Word, Aug. 2007
“... a riveting story ... both parents and children should read together.” – Kitchener-Waterloo Record, June 2007
“... compelling and intriguing and focuses on an issue that most of us do not think of as serious. Christina Kilbourne writes a novel that will leave anyone who discovers it speechless.” – teensreadtoo.com
“... a great book to have available in every library and to recommend to teens and pre-teens who spend a lot of time on the internet.” – Semicolon, Nov. 2007
“Max’s voice rings authentic and true ... an important book that every teen, young adult and parent should read.” – Windsor Life, April 2007
“Every word is well-chosen ... I could see myself in Maxine’s position ...” – One80 Youth Media
“While this novel is prescribed for tweens, as social worker and parent, I strongly recommend it for teens and parents as well. It reads quickly and keeps you spellbound to the very end.” – Diane O’Hara, Registered Social Worker
“... current, important, and insightful ... A gripping story, suitable even for the youngest tweens ... will keep young readers turning pages and make them more savvy about the internet.” – Martin Avery, author and educator
“Through the eyes of Maxine, we learn what it's like to be naive, trusting and brave when you grow up in the world of technology.” – Alison Turnbull, Vice Principal, Huntsville High School (Ontario)
“... an interesting look at survivor’s guilt and depression, and stayed on the edge of my seat until the book’s conclusion.” – yabookscentral.com
“A must-read ... powerful look at the dangers of on-line chatting. This is a novel that I expect will be flying off the shelf. I believe this would also be important for parents to read.” – Jane on Books (book review blog), May 2009
“One thing I really thought was important and it was brought up in the book was that you should never give out any real info about yourself … This is a great book that all young adults should read.” – Cindy's Love for Books (book review blog), June 2009
"... has an action driven plot line told through a reflective
diary format. Kilbourne’s characters are well-developed ... would open possible discussion of online relationships
and risks and would allow for predicting and making connections." – What Counts! (book
review blog), July, 2009
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Winner, British Columbia Young Readers' Choice Red Cedar Award (2009 – 2010)
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Winner, Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards – Snow Willow Award (2009 – 2010)
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Winner, Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award (2009)
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Shortlisted, New York State Reading Association's Charlotte Award
(2009 – 2010, NY State readers' choice)
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Selected, Canadian Children’s Book Centre's “Best Books for Kids & Teens” (Starred selection, 2008)
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Winner, Best Novel, “Get the Lead Out” Ontario Literary Awards (2007)
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Selected, Ontario Library Association's “Best Bets for 2007”
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Selected, Resource Links: The Year's Best (2007)
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Selected, Approved List of Learning Resources: Nova Scotia
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Featured in One80, free monthly newspaper for teens, distributed in the greater Toronto area (250k readers)
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Author interviewed on "The Daytime Show" on Rogers TV (York Region)
