The School For Whatnots Review

It's been a while since I read a Margaret Peterson Haddix book. The last one I read was the last book of the Shadow Children series in the first half of this year.

The School for Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix is about Max, a rich 10 year old boy whose rich family wants him to grow up with the best life possible. So his parents sign a contract for him to go to school with whatnots. Whatnots are very humanoid robots that look like real children, but they are all super well behaved and polite. Max does not know that he went to school with a bunch of humanoid robots, until he receives a strange note from his best friend from school, a girl named Josie. Josie herself has her own secret, too. She is actually a real human. Her family is very poor but her father agreed to let her sign up for the high-class whatnot school as it guarantees great education--which could be a key to a financially better future--as long as Josie pretends to be a robot. 

Anyway, Josie's note to Max reads: "No matter what anyone tells you, I am real". Max does not understand what this means at first, but then he and Josie and a bunch of new friends later on find out the truth and ulterior motives about the Whatnot Corporation.

This was a very enjoyable read! The solving of the mystery was very fascinating, and there were a lot of discussions on privilege, class, the ethics on using androids and AI for everyday tasks, and loneliness and community. 

I did give it 4 stars though. The story did get a little confusing at times (especially at the three quarter mark), and I thought the ending was kind of rushed. Other than that, it was a very fun read! 

Do you like books about AI and robots? Do you have a favorite?