DESPITE THE BUZZ
  • SYNOPSIS
  • THE BOOK
  • DETAILS
  • CHARACTERS
  • AUTHOR
  • Acknowledgements
  • Contact
  • SYNOPSIS
  • THE BOOK
  • DETAILS
  • CHARACTERS
  • AUTHOR
  • Acknowledgements
  • Contact

DESPITE
​THE BUZZ

Who has felt distracted or overwhelmed by today’s technology? All of us. Especially generations X, Y, and Z.
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Despite the Buzz, written by Tamara Miller Davis, is a cautionary tale about the toll technology is taking upon language, learning, body image, time, relationships, privacy, safety, and wellbeing.
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While there is a general emphasis on speedy tech in schools, educators at "Heart High" want to help teens express themselves in other ways. 

​Writing teacher Gabriella Oliver draws attention to the importance of reflection, conscientiousness, and citizenship within today’s digital world. With past-tense preferences, the protagonist sees the need for present-day media literacy and limits. Because the potential in our pockets could be lethal. 

Exploring  Creative  Depths...

Within a backdrop of teenage drama, charged adolescent emotions, identity formation, and contemporary connections, diverse student voices and written viewpoints give context to current controversial subjects, eventually provoking a dramatic turn of events. 
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When an intimate act is shared between students over social media, Miss Oliver is taken by surprise. A plot twist prompts people to reevaluate interactions within the virtual world. The intense incident examines whether people (and choices) are necessarily good or bad. Considering circumstances and consequences, stakes are high for certain characters.

Laced with romance and humor suitable for mature readers 
​and revealing contradictions between internet presence versus real-life experience, this narrative could be categorized as literary, mainstream, and/or women’s fiction.

Book-club type discussions would help build rapport among members from different age groups. The story is of special interest to parents of Generation Z, those with kids growing up now.

A Lasting Journey...

This novel provides insight to those who grew up before and after technological trends became commonplace. But considering she still “sends” letters to her long-deceased mom, will the main character Gabby Oliver embrace today’s norms alongside her nostalgic and encouraged hand-written habits? ​
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​In this real-world story, taking place within a familiar classroom setting (pre-pandemic), nonfiction underscores topics and themes. Relevant and complex questions are asked, proving there are no easy answers. Literary references, research, and scholarly thinking points are incorporated with personal stories and exciting action. Quick-witted and funny at times, dialogue drives the story. Song lyrics also add to the mixed-media experience. Out of respect for the work of others, excerpts are small and accredited.  

This fictional--but believable--account shows the demands upon public school teachers due to class size, special needs considerations, language barriers, gender sensitivity, gun threats, and the challenge of holding students' attention, Despite the Buzz in their pockets. 
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Stay tuned for access to looks behind the book, authorial intentions, and inside info about individual characters.
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​Check out this podcast interview...

On writing, empowerment, and publishing a first book! 
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