Unplugged: Ella Gets Her Family Back Laura Pedersen Illustrated by Penny Weber Hardcover, $16.95, ISBN 978-0-88448-337-3 9 x 10, 32 pages, color illustrations Children; Grades 2-6

Skipping Stones Honor Award, 2013

Mom's Choice Gold Award, 2012

"Laura Pedersen's Unplugged is a delightful book about the importance of face-to-face family time. Parents today need to model a balanced approach to technology use, but our children, like Ella in this timely story, know how essential it is to have a chance to talk, play games, and eat together."
—Anne K. Fishel, Ph.D., co-author of "The Digital Family," PsychologyToday.com, and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School

"Being tethered to our screens 24/7 is of huge societal concern to children, families and teachers. It seems insolvable but it isn't! In an inspired and inspiring example of 'taking on challenges,' Laura Pedersen's Unplugged shows how a child comes up with a solution that gives her and her family what our studies show they want most—time to be together and have fun."
—Ellen Galinsky, President, Families and Work Institute, and author of Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills That Every Child Needs

"Busy families may forget the value of just spending time together—a chance to talk, connect, play games, and enjoy one other. Laura Pedersen's Unplugged shows how easily a family can be derailed from that special time together and suggests a solution that is a good fit for everyone."
—Eileen Doyle, Vice President of Program, Girl Scouts of the USA

Ella is really frustrated. Lately it seems like the whole family has forgotten how to be together. Instead of playing Hangman and making waffles, everyone is talking on cell phones, playing video games, and using the computer. What’s a girl to do?

When Ella finally makes her move, it gets everyone's attention. At first there is some confusion—could Ella just want a cell phone of her own? But Ella makes clear that what she really wants is her family back. Will they all agree that it's time to make some changes? And what word do you think Ella will use the next time she plays Hangman with her brother Carlos? This is a lively book about the issue of managing technology so that it can become more family friendly.

Laura Pedersen was the youngest columnist for the New York Times. Prior to that she was the youngest person to have a seat on the floor of the American Stock Exchange and wrote her first book, Play Money, about that experience. President Clinton honored Laura as one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans, and she has gone on to write award-winning short stories, nonfiction, plays and novels. She has appeared on shows such as CNN, Oprah, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Primetime, and David Letterman. Laura has performed stand-up comedy and writes for several well-known comedians. This is her first children's book. Laura lives in New York City and teaches at the Booker T. Washington Learning Center in East Harlem. Her website is www.laurapedersenbooks.com

Penny Weber has worked as a mural painter, greeting-card illustrator, and portrait artist. Her children's books include One of Us, On My Way To School, Amazingly Wonderful Things, and Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness. Penny lives on Long Island in New York with her husband and three children and their cat Tiger. Her website is www.pennyweberart.com

TEACHERS TAKE NOTE click here