Tamara Miller Davis is a long-time Ojai Valley resident and teacher, who published a gripping novel last year about the uses and abuses of social media, told through the lens of a Reflective Writing Class with a group of bright, engaged and very online high school juniors. The teacher, Gabriela Oliver, takes us through her first year at a new school, getting to know the kids through their essays and encouraging them to step back from their devices and think about the larger purposes of their lives. Described as a "cautionary tale about tech's toll" the book also takes us inside the demands placed on teachers' times, the frailty of struggling families, and an immersion in online culture. There is also a spicy romance with a fellow teacher, and a past trauma and loss that Gabby Oliver deals with daily. The shocking twist toward the end of the book brings all the lessons and dangers home in a vivid, compelling way.
Besides the book, Davis also talks about being a firefighter's wife during the Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslides, raising young children on the cusp of their teen years, and the work that awaits a published writer after their book comes out.
"Despite the Buzz" uses a lot of research about online use and its effects on society. Here's a few links to provide background information and further resources.
https://despitethebuzz.com
https://venturacounty.momcollective.com/author/tamaramillerdavis/
Wait Until 8th: https://www.waituntil8th.org/
Screenagers: www.screenagersmovie.com
Center for Humane Technology: humanetech.com
Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsense.org
Firefighting - Mental Health Resources:
Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness: https://iversonfaa.org/
Fully Involved Life: https://www.fullyinvolvedlife.com
