Publishers Weekly
10/10/2022
Fifth grader Ezra Miller, who uses humor to connect with others, learns the pitfalls of social media and technology in Feldman’s topical debut. Ezra often feels invisible within his family and friend group, but when he receives a smartphone for his 10th birthday—as one of the last in his grade to get one—he believes that his newfound feeling of coolness will thrust him into the spotlight. His initial excitement over connecting with others gives way to social media popularity after Ezra posts a picture of a chicken nugget that looks like a butt. Emboldened by this sudden notoriety, Ezra starts posting photos of various other objects, each resembling a tush. But his pursuit of fame starts to impact his relationships with family and friends, and when a photo Ezra took of his own backside begins circulating, a visit from a detective foreshadows legal consequences. The novel’s tone abruptly pivots between slapstick humor and strident moralizing, making for an uneven read. Nevertheless, Ezra’s droll first-person narration, desire to be liked, and evolving maturity deftly render this a humorous and self-reflective tale. Characters read as white. Ages 8–12. (Nov.)
Foreword Reviews
The book nails middle school humor with its delight in matters of the body as well as the unending quest for popularity and its evolution with social media…With charm, the book exemplifies the pull between childhood and the impending teenage years that typifies the life of a tween…Smart and funny, Ezra Exposed illustrates just how dangerous the push for popularity can be—particularly when it is paired with the internet and butts.”
educator Donna Melter
I wish this were a book that didn’t need to be written. But internet safety is a real issue, and kids need to know the legal and social ramifications of their actions, and this is an age-appropriate way to introduce and explain this to kids.”
New York Times bestselling author Leslie Margolis
Author Amy Feldman has pulled off quite a magic trick: she hides a gentle educational warning in a wildly entertaining, fast-paced, and funny debut. Readers will fall in love with Ezra and his hilarity, but above all, they will relate to his mistakes. Essential reading for any kid about to own a phone for the first time—and for their parents.”
6th grade teacher Mandy G.
This was a great book for upper elementary and middle school kids. It is a quick read that kids can really relate to…I hope to read this as a read-aloud with my class and help them understand how important it is to be careful what you post online.”
author of The Only Girl in School Natalie Standiford
Ezra Exposed pulls off a magic trick: it’s an entertaining, hilariously funny story about a serious and difficult issue, told with compassion in a pitch-perfect middle-grade voice. This book will open the eyes of young readers and their parents, while also offering guidance and reassurance.”
Allison Dollar
This is an amazing book. It lays out what can happen with the internet. Ezra is a kid that most kids can relate to—not perfect, but not a bad kid. He makes a little mistake, and it slowly grows into a big problem. It will show the kids what happens if they forget what goes on the internet stays on the internet. This will work much better than a dozen lectures.”
library media specialist Christine Rosa
This story is entertaining and educational at the same time. I couldn’t put it down! It is on the top of my must-buy list for my middle school students.”
bestselling author of the Groovy Girls series Robin Epstein
Ezra Miller is the chicken-nugget-butt we need right now! Ezra Exposed introduces us to an unforgettable character who accidentally finds fame and shame through his Instagram account. Amy Feldman’s writing is funny, relatable, and informative. And if you have kids who like to take pics on their phones, it's also crucial.”
7th grade teacher Caitlin Dalton
This book is highly accessible for a late elementary school audience…This book would be a great talking point for parents with their children about so many learning moments. These include internet safety, peer pressure, puberty, and work ethic.”
New York Times bestselling Disney author Suzanne Francis
Sweet, silly Ezra and his butt-joke-loving, approval-seeking antics make for a hilarious read, but it’s the serious digital citizenship lesson that parents and educators will applaud. I’m putting this in front of my kids now!”
Kirkus Reviews
2022-09-14
A fifth grader learns about cellphone and internet safety the hard way.
Ezra finally gets the phone he’s been dreaming of. He immediately takes a picture of a chicken nugget that looks like a butt and posts it to his Instagram account along with all kinds of objects that resemble butts. The trouble really starts when he takes a picture of his own butt to try to prove a bully wrong. This is an age-appropriate introduction to the legal and social dangers of underage internet use and—though the term is not used—sexting. Ezra ends up facing consequences for distributing lewd images of a minor, even though that minor is him. However, though the story starts off engaging, it becomes didactic, ultimately lacking excitement. Girls are often regarded as annoyances or lesser (Ezra describes his classmate Lilly as “the best I could have for a girl partner”). Ezra’s sister also jokes about a butterfly landing on a woman’s “tushy” (“She was wearing yoga pants so she could probably feel it land”). Ezra and his family are cued White.
Preachy though potentially a teaching tool on internet safety. (afterword) (Fiction. 9-12)
