The Academy

As a young adult novel, The Academy explores a prevalent issue among teenagers: the struggle with gossip, bullying, and rumors. Through its fictional Zip Zap app, a symbolic representation of the power that comes with knowledge, the novel examines gossip in the social media age. As the app gives students the power to post anonymously, respond, and vote for their favorite posts, it is a microcosm of the idea of drama and gossip through social media.

Instead of just affecting students, the novel emphasizes the dangers of secrecy and rumors in its depiction of Zip Zap, as the app affects everyone: students, staff, and teachers. As each new post is made, the shifting narration allows the reader to see the impact that it has on everyone involved. Charley is forced into isolation after everyone believes that she is responsible for revealing Davi’s eating disorder. For Cordelia, even a simple post about the impact that students’ looks have on their admission causes her to question her process and her value to the school. The internal conflicts that are examined within each of these characters show the extreme impact that these secrets and rumors have on them. For example, both Taylor and Dub struggle with their feelings for each other, especially in the wake of Cinnamon’s death.