Famous Anonymous

3.7

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Author(s)

Morgan Baden

Publisher

Pixel+Ink

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

September 09, 2025

ISBN

978-1645952695

Buy This Book

The first book in a new series about neighborhood friends who find sudden fame with a series of viral videos… only no one knows who they really are. Hannah Montana for the TikTok generation.

Four kids from the same neighborhood, lifelong friends, throw on some costumes and make a funny video one night when their parents are out. One of them shares it with the group, another posts it on a TikTok-like social media, and suddenly the video blows up. Which makes the kids famous! Well, famous… and anonymous. Because no one can tell who they really are—and their parents must never find out. But their new fans want more content!

So the four friends go on to make a series of over-the-top videos that vault them into a new world of celebrity and influence. They feel the rush of attention and the power of their own creations, but also struggle to preserve their fame and their anonymity.

These books explore friendship, loyalty, and imagination, all while considering big questions that come up in a social media context, like: How do you protect your true self online? And is it ever really possible to be anonymous?

Editor review

1 review

Uniting young friends

June 21, 2025 (Updated: June 23, 2026)

Overall rating

3.7

Plot

3.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

What worked:
The story is told from the points of view of two pairs of siblings. Sophie and her younger brother Gus live next door to Luke and his younger sister Harper. Each character presents a unique personality with different points of view that are shared in alternating chapters. Luke is neurodivergent and doesn’t like being the focus of attention. In contrast, Harper is obsessed with acting, and her impulsiveness creates the plot’s conflict. Gus spends all of his time with soccer practice, but he wants to explore other interests; he wins a sixth-grade creative writing award that comes with a summer workshop. Finally, Sophie is a cautious character, most concerned about getting in trouble and losing her parents’ trust.
One of Luke and Harper’s mothers is very protective, and the book opens with a list of her rules for the kids staying home alone. Harper already has a secret social media account, and it’s her idea to make a video. All of the kids are worried about viewers identifying them (they have over a million hits), but for different reasons. Luke and Sophie’s reasons are obvious, and Gus and Harper don’t want the complications that fame will bring. They wear costumes and cover their faces in the videos, so they hope that’s enough to remain anonymous. However, readers know a problem will eventually arise when an online viewer says, “Is it just me or is there something SO familiar about this video?”
What didn’t work as well:
The conflict is not especially gripping, as the characters deal with friendship issues. They work well together in the beginning, but the pressure of topping their previous posts affects their priorities.
The final verdict:
The focus on social media will appeal to today’s young readers. Telling the story from distinctly different points of view will also allow them to connect with the characters. I recommend you give this book a shot.