Don't Read the Comments
on Goodreads (3,937)
What’s inside...
Divya Sharma, a popular streaming gamer known as D1V, uses her online presence in the game Reclaim the Sun to support her struggling single mom. Aaron Jericho spends his time writing games and playing Reclaim the Sun to escape his mother's expectations. When Divya and Aaron accidentally meet in the game, they team up to explore new worlds and face online trolls from the Vox Populi. The harassment escalates to real-world threats, endangering their dreams and lives. Divya is determined to fight back and protect everything she cares about.
Age
13-17
Length
352 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Divya Sharma
Aaron Jericho
Discussion points
What do you think about the main characters, Divya and Aaron, and how they handled online harassment?
How do you feel about the role of social media and online gaming in the story? What impact does it have on the characters?
What would you do if you were in Divya’s situation and faced with online trolls?
How do the friendships in the book help the characters overcome their challenges?
What lessons can we learn about empathy and support from the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own views on the importance of respectful online behavior and ask your child to express their thoughts.
Encourage your child to compare the online interactions in the book with real-life scenarios they might encounter, fostering critical thinking about their digital footprint.
Discuss the strength derived from supportive relationships in the book, prompting your child to reflect on their personal support systems.
Highlight the resilience shown by the characters, discussing how one can respond positively to adversity, both online and offline.
Use the themes of the book to reinforce the importance of empathy and understanding towards others, discussing how these values can be applied in everyday life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The book 'Don't Read the Comments' delves into the online lives of teens, presenting challenges they face, including cyberbullying. By showing the impact of online words and actions, it teaches empathy.
Real-World Application: Children learn to consider the feelings of others before speaking or acting, especially in digital spaces, fostering a more respectful and empathetic online community.
Example Lesson: Importance of Online Privacy
Explanation: Characters in the story experience privacy invasions which illustrate the consequences of not protecting personal information.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to maintain privacy settings on their digital devices and think critically about the information they share online.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: The protagonists face significant challenges but find ways to cope and stand up for themselves, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persevere through their own challenges, whether online or offline, and understand that seeking help from trusted individuals is a strength, not a weakness.
Example Lesson: Cultural Awareness and Diversity
Explanation: The book features a diverse cast of characters, promoting inclusivity and broadening readers' cultural understanding.
Real-World Application: This fosters an appreciation for diversity in children, encouraging them to embrace and learn from different cultural backgrounds in their own communities.
Example Lesson: Responsibility in Digital Spaces
Explanation: Through its narrative, the book teaches that freedom in digital spaces comes with the responsibility to be considerate and kind.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be responsible digital citizens, contributing positively to online communities and standing against cyberbullying.