High school is complicated.
It's even harder when your phone-the one thing that helps you get through the day-is suddenly off-limits.
When a statewide phone ban hits, freshman Loo is forced to navigate high school without his usual escape. No music. No scrolling. No easy reset.
Just real life-moment by moment, choice by choice.
Starting high school is already overwhelming. New classes. New expectations. New social situations. And for Loo, a brain that never seems to slow down. Between awkward conversations, group projects, friendship struggles, and everyday challenges, he begins to realize something important: surviving high school isn't about having the perfect plan-it's about understanding how his brain actually works.
In Powered Off, YOU help decide what happens next.
Every choice shapes Loo's story-what he says, what he avoids, what he tries, and what he learns. Along the way, you'll meet his inner "Brain Crew"-the voices that encourage him to overthink, jump ahead, get distracted, shut down, worry about everything, or keep going when things get tough.
Featuring doodles, text messages, optional brain puzzles, and thinking breaks, the book offers an engaging reading experience that gives readers a chance to pause, reset, and re-engage before continuing the adventure.
With more than 100 possible story paths to explore, each read offers new choices, new perspectives, and new opportunities to discover how small decisions can shape big moments.
Written by an educator and grounded in real classroom experiences, Powered Off offers an authentic and compassionate look at the transition to high school, complete with motivation struggles, social uncertainty, everyday victories, and all the awkward in-between moments.
Perfect for:
- Readers who enjoy interactive, choice-driven stories
- Fans of realistic fiction with humor and heart
- Teens navigating school, stress, friendships, and self-discovery
- Anyone whose brain seems to have a mind of its own
- Parents, educators, counselors, and librarians seeking relatable, engaging fiction for middle and high school readers
Sometimes, powering off is the first step toward understanding yourself.
And that might be the start of something epic. Mostly.
About the Author :
A.L. Marshall is an educator, writer, and parent who spends a lot of time thinking about how different brains work-especially when they don't follow instructions or fit neatly into a box. With more than 20 years of experience working with students across a wide range of learning styles, abilities, and educational settings, A.L. brings an authentic understanding of the challenges young people face as they navigate school, friendships, identity, and growing up.Drawing from years in classrooms, academic coaching, and real conversations with teens, A.L. creates stories that blend humor, heart, and self-discovery with a deep respect for neurodiversity and the many ways people learn, think, and experience the world.When not writing, A.L. is probably singing along (loudly) to a playlist, doodling ideas in the margins during professional learning sessions, or gently reminding themself-like Loo does-that progress doesn't have to be perfect to matter.
Review :
"Marshall has written a book that doesn't just 'talk about' ADHD as a young teen; it lets you live it, breathe it, and navigate it." - Educator, Parent, and Amazon Reviewer
"An honest and profoundly real portrayal of a teenager navigating the high-stakes transition to high school while managing ADHD and anxiety." - Educator, Parent, and Amazon Reviewer
"You did an amazing job of capturing the mental chaos that so many of our kids face." - Educator and Parent
"The short sections and interactive choices are perfect for readers who struggle with attention or dyslexia." - Educator, Parent, and Amazon Reviewer
"Thank you for writing this and for writing it in a format that is non-threatening for ADHD and dyslexic readers." - Educator and Parent
"It is well-written, easy to follow, and deeply heartfelt." - Educator, Parent, and Amazon Reviewer
"Writing well for this audience is harder than it looks." - High School Principal and English Major
"The choice-based format made me want to go back and explore the other story paths." - Fifth-Grade Reader with ADHD
