The School for Whatnots

The School for Whatnots
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins, March, 2022
304 pages
Grades 5-8
Science Fiction/Adventure

An unknown narrator relates the story of Max, a rich only-child growing up in the not-so-distant future. In order to protect him and allow him to grow up in a kind and gentle atmosphere, Max's parents have chosen to school him with child-like robots-AKA whatnots-as his classmates. One little girl, Josie, stands out in kindergarten, as she invites him to play in the mud and the two become best friends. As elementary school winds down and Max will enter middle school with real children, who were also previously school with whatnots, Josie hands him a note that reads, "No matter what anyone tells you, I'm real." What follows is a series of discoveries, as Max is finally told the truth about his classmates. Meanwhile, we learn Josie's story as she must live secretly all through elementary school as the only human child surrounded by robots. Upon fifth grade graduation, Josie moves back in with her struggling father to prepare for her next step. What she doesn't expect is that maybe there are more real children than herself posing as robots and maybe Max will find her and they get to the bottom of the mysterious situation together.

Margaret Peterson Haddix, of Among the Hidden Fame, is the "Concept Queen" of middle grade fiction. She has the best ideas and her books are a super-easy sell. As much as I get roped into reading most of her books because they are such fresh ideas, sometimes the execution is not as great as the concept. Kids don't care. They love her books and reach for the next if it is part of a series. Robots are cool and trendy and the thought of all of the kids in your class being robots is an intriguing concept. The book is fast placed and adventurous with a hint of mystery. It starts out believable-and then goes a bit off the rails. All ends well, but it almost has to in books written for this age group. Josie is a likable and lively character that readers will want as their own friend. Max as the poor-rich boy is sympathetic. The mysterious narrator is revealed as the book continues and other surprises are in store for the reader as they turn the pages. Themes such as loneliness, privilege, and the dark side of technology are explored. This story appears to be a stand-alone and is set for a March 2022 release.