The School for Whatnots

By: Margaret Peterson Haddix

Narrated by: Lillie Ricciardi

From master of suspense author Margaret Peterson Haddix comes another page-turning stand-alone adventure perfect for fans of Cog and Bad Magic.

No matter what anyone tells you, I’m real.

That’s what the note says that Max finds under his keyboard.

He knows that his best friend, Josie, wrote it. He’d know her handwriting anywhere. But why she wrote it—and what it means—remains a mystery.

Ever since they met in kindergarten, Max and Josie have been inseparable. Until the summer after fifth grade, when Josie disappears, leaving only a note, and whispering something about “whatnot rules.”

But why would Max ever think that Josie wasn’t real? And what are whatnots?

As Max sets to uncover what happened to Josie—and what she is or isn’t—little does he know that she’s fighting to find him again, too. But there are forces trying to keep Max and Josie from ever seeing each other again. Because Josie wasn’t supposed to be real.

This middle grade thriller from Margaret Peterson Haddix delves into the power of privilege, the importance of true friendship, and the question of humanity and identity. Because when anyone could be a whatnot, what makes a person a real friend—or real at all?

©2022 Margaret Peterson Haddix (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

the mystery

I love how this story played out, it's just a wonderful book that I 100% recommend! :)

Very good book

Very enjoyable and somewhat mysterious. Was thinking about the story the whole time. Interesting and suspenseful, a great story.

Started out interesting, but got sappy and preachy

I liked this story at first, but it got sappy at the end. I think the author lost direction with what she was trying to say, at least that's how it felt.

Rich kid sent to a school to be educated side by side with a bunch of androids. He gets very attached to one in particular, and goes looking for her when she disappears. Halfway through author introduces new characters that have these important parts that came out of nowhere. It made me groan. Story also went sideways as well. It's a meh.

Might be, 4 if it was not for the narration

The story was OK. Pretty good. In fact. Some questions. The narrator aside was a little bit juvenile. Maybe this is written for 12-year-olds. I’m not sure. But it was like those annoying mystery TV shows where they show you the scene again & again to make sure you get it. To make sure you’re connecting all the dots. Also the characters were 10 and 12 yet voices were like they were five or six year olds. The dialogue seemed juvenile and not age appropriate for the character. A little bit heavy-handed as well. Again, a cute story that had a few annoying aspects that brought the score down for me.

Wonderful book

All I can say is I loved this book it was such a good story. The performance was so good the person reading the book did an amazing job. I recommend this book to the young and old because I thank it cud be enjoyed by all ages.

Loved!!

This was a wonderful book! Perfect for third fourth and fifth grade-I can’t wait to use it as a read aloud. She hit it out of the park! It was so enjoyable. I wanted to keep reading. I loved the characters and how she rewards the reader throughout the book to keep them reading. I know many of my fourth-graders finished it in a matter of days.

Story had me audibly gasping every few chapters

Don’t be put off by this being a middle grade book. The premise is really interesting (and not contrived), with some really good world building. I immediately found all the characters understandable, if not likeable. It’s surprisingly twisty, making me gasp out loud or go “no!” every few chapters (the last time I reacted outwardly like this, it was the Lunar Chronicles). The climax hit me in the emotions (and it’s a good lesson to have). The narrator is charming on its own, but it’s made much better by the performance of the audiobook reader. There are parts I know became funny or emotional because of how she read it. 10/10 for every aspect of this book and audiobook

a Wow of a FeelGood Story

loved listening to this. entertaining and sweet with a great message. perfect and great narration

Really great middle grades science fiction!

I really enjoyed the narrator aside Chapters. The book had a great theme of the importance of friendship, and I think lots of kiddos could benefit from reading the story. You can't help bit root for Josie throughout.