Publisher Description

A world where social rank rules and your status setsyour inevitable course in life - sound familiar? Just imagine if it was allcontrolled by an app! In Averee's world, the usual trials of making your wayinto adulthood come with the added stress of Ranked, a ubiquitous andall-knowing tech innovation that awards you points for socially acceptablebehavior and takes them away when you don't conform. It seems fun enough atfirst, but it becomes much more than a game when Averee's rank suddenly dropsovernight. Now she's getting hassled at school, blocked from her favoriterestaurants, and her mom is out of a job.

Luckily for our hero, she has Zoe - abottom-ranked BFF - whose open disdain for all things Ranked makes her theperfect accomplice on what's about to be the heist of the century: they'restaging a raid on the app's corporate HQ to set things right and itsspokesperson, the virtual popstar Pretty Kitty, is in their sights. WithAveree's crush Luke in tow, these friends are in way over their heads andthey're about to learn that the "right" they're fighting for may beon a global scale.

AVEREE is one averagegirl's mission through a world of near-future tech to take back control of herlife, in a fun philosophical adventure!

Review

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL -- Gr 7 Up-Phillips (HarleyQuinn, Butcher of Paris) and Johnson (Batman: Black and White) havecreated a Black Mirror-esque world where the app Ranked uses computer algorithmsto score every citizen on popularity and social standing. Those with high ranksenjoy life to the fullest, while those who don't score as well find it difficultto obtain employment, entertainment, or even friends. High schooler Averee reapsthe benefits of her family's good fortune until their rank suddenly plummets.After Averee experiences how the other half lives, she, her friend Zoe, and hercrush Luke resolve to find and talk to PrettyKitty, the green-haired, catear-wearing, adorable Ranked spokesperson. As they learn more about the app'snefarious machinations, however, the teens realize that they must end it forgood. The plot moves quickly, carried by engaging, dynamic characters; Avereeand Zoe's relationship becomes complicated as Averee accuses her friend, who'slong been skeptical of Ranked, of secretly bringing Averee's family's rank down.The dramatic, realistic art is fantastic, with vivid coloring and details thatbring to life a seemingly beautiful world whose dark side is slowly revealed.Averee and Zoe are Asian, while Luke is white. VERDICT Though fans ofspeculative tales in the vein of Black Mirror will appreciate this one, so willanyone who loves friendship stories, such as Faith Erin Hicks's One Year atEllsmere. A good entry point for those unfamiliar with comics,too.

Review Text

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL -- Gr 7 Up-Phillips ( HarleyQuinn, Butcher of Paris ) and Johnson ( Batman: Black and White ) havecreated a Black Mirror-esque world where the app Ranked uses computer algorithmsto score every citizen on popularity and social standing. Those with high ranksenjoy life to the fullest, while those who don't score as well find it difficultto obtain employment, entertainment, or even friends. High schooler Averee reapsthe benefits of her family's good fortune until their rank suddenly plummets.After Averee experiences how the other half lives, she, her friend Zoe, and hercrush Luke resolve to find and talk to PrettyKitty, the green-haired, catear-wearing, adorable Ranked spokesperson. As they learn more about the app'snefarious machinations, however, the teens realize that they must end it forgood. The plot moves quickly, carried by engaging, dynamic characters; Avereeand Zoe's relationship becomes complicated as Averee accuses her friend, who'slong been skeptical of Ranked, of secretly bringing Averee's family's rank down.The dramatic, realistic art is fantastic, with vivid coloring and details thatbring to life a seemingly beautiful world whose dark side is slowly revealed.Averee and Zoe are Asian, while Luke is white. VERDICT Though fans ofspeculative tales in the vein of Black Mirror will appreciate this one, so willanyone who loves friendship stories, such as Faith Erin Hicks's One Year atEllsmere. A good entry point for those unfamiliar with comics,too.

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