Elissa Brent Weissman is an award-winning author of novels for young readers including The Length of a String and The Renegade Reporters. Her debut picture book, Hanukkah Upside Down, illustrated by Omer Hoffmann, was a Sydney Taylor Book Award Honoree. Best known for the popular Nerd Camp series, she and her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, the Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR's "Here and Now," and more. Originally from Long Island, New York, Elissa spent many years in Baltimore City, where she taught creative writing to young people and adults. She currently lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with her husband and their two children, whose lives she tries very hard to keep offline.

★ "[A] thoughtful, gripping, and heart-wrenching exploration of the perils of social media and fraught friendships . . . Deeply rooted in modern middle-school culture, resonant with the online experiences of so many tweens, and paced perfectly, this is a must-read for every kid who has dreamed of being an influencer and a great discussion starter about privacy and sharing online." --Booklist, starred review

"Alternating chapters narrated by each girl feature crisp dialogue and real emotion, bringing these two likable protagonists to life. Weissman presents her message in a balanced, clear-eyed, and thought-provoking way; readers will be rooting for Hadley and Willow, who read white, to find normality, peace, and connection. A timely and provocative exploration of the impact of social media on teens, families, and society." --Kirkus

Publisher: Dial Books

Pub date: 2026-05-19

Length: 336 pages