Brand New Boy by David Almond, Marta Altés
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536222704
Pages: 320
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Daniel and his friends are ordinary children who attend school in England. They befriend a new student, George, whom they find odd but also fascinating. He can’t answer personal questions but can answer complex math equations and is a soccer wiz on the playground. When they find out he is a robot, they are determined to save him from his evil creators while also showing him what it means to be a real child. Readers will join the characters in grappling with the question of what it means to be a real child. The black and white illustrations scattered throughout the story have great facial expressions and complement the text well. American readers might be challenged by some of the British terms and references, but this is still a good novel for kids who want to try science fiction. Appropriate for grades 4-6.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library