Brand New Boy

From the boundless imagination of David Almond comes a thought-provoking question packaged in a lively illustrated chapter book: what if a robot went to school?

When a new boy joins their class, everyone thinks he’s . . . odd. George doesn’t behave like other kids. He doesn’t think like other kids. But he’s great at football and snacking, and that’s what matters to Dan and Maxie and their friends, who resolve to make George feel welcome.

Over time, they learn that he’s just like them in most ways, except one: George is a robot, part of an ambitious new experiment, with sinister people bent on destroying him. When George’s lab pulls him out of school, can his new friends recover him—and set him free?

Told in David Almond’s signature rollicking narrative style, this poignant tale explores what it means to be human—and will inspire children to think and giggle in equal measure.

About the Author

David Almond grew up in a large family in northeastern England and says, “The place and the people have given me many of my stories.” His first novel for children, Skellig, was a Michael L. Printz Honor Book and an ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book and appeared on many Best Book of the Year lists. He wrote My Name Is Mina, the prequel to Skellig. His novel Kit’s Wilderness won the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. David Almond is a recipient of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award. He lives in England.