Books for Tweens & Teens
THE WILD ROBOT meets RESTART when Colorado’s unluckiest foster kid battles a rogue AI robot at school.
Malcolm Montgomery is the new kid at Shirley Chisholm Charter Middle School. In no time at all, he’s been slapped with the weird kid label. Is it because he’s a foster kid who’s been in nine homes? Or maybe because he burps when he gets nervous . . . which is often?
Malcolm has a plan to finally get adopted by a forever family before it’s too late. But then on Visiting Professionals’ Day, his school invites the head of the fastest-growing artificial intelligence company in the state to give a presentation. Dr. Hatch brings his AI-powered robot, and events are in motion that create . . .THE INCIDENT.
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THE AI INCIDENT is an irresistible middle grade novel about the role of AI in schools and in our lives…and what it means to be human.
This novel is perfect for kids aged 8-14 as well as for adults interested in edtech and the benefits/challenges of using AI in education.
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FRANCIS the AI was created to increase Shirley Chisholm Charter Middle School's standardized test scores. But now that it's here, FRANCIS has a lot of ideas for making things better, including taking over the school. All that stands in its way are teachers...and the resourcefulkids in Mr. Pearson's Section C Homeroom.
These kids are taking on the most advanced artificial intelligence program ever introduced to a Colorado classroom. And they're only in seventh grade!
Malcolm is racing the clock! If he doesn't get adopted from foster care before he turns 13 in six months, he'll wind up in Child Services' Teen Unit―and he's never heard of anyone getting adopted from there. But now he's in a new school, and one of the top items on his "How to Get Adopted Checklist" is to find a friend to vouch for him to potential adopted parents.
Making friends the regular way takes a lot more time than Malcolm has. But FRANCIS says it will be his friend right away. All he has to do is look the other way while FRANCIS takes over the school.
Tank knows everything about fish, oceans and aquariums. He knows how to build a sea urchin habitat. He's learning how to solve the problem of harmful algae in the water.
One day, Tank will find solutions to some of the greatest issues on the planet. But until then, he's the person nobody wants to be friends with because he smells like sea water and fish.
Not even his twin sister, Jade, wants to be around him. She blames him for her birthmark―and she's determined to make his life miserable.
Ainsley has been best friends with Jade since kindergarten. Talking in secret girl code and swinging their heads in circles so their hair whips around like Ferris wheels are still some her favorite things in the world.
But middle school comes with a lot of new responsibilities: like getting exceptional scores on standardized tests so she earns admission to the best high school...and the best college...and law school.
Then FRANCIS offers to help the seventh grade learn to improve their standardized test scores in just a few weeks, will this be an offer too good to pass up?
If it weren't for the tiny, foot-shaped birthmark on her forehead, Jade is convinced that her life would be perfect. She's an excellent athlete. She's pretty good in class. She's popular. She's got the best friend ever. But when people look at her, the first (and sometimes only) thing they see is that birthmark, no matter how hard she tries to hide it behind her bangs.
Everyone says that one twin can't give a birthmark to the other twin, but Jade is convinced they're wrong. And until someone convinces her otherwise, she'll never forgive her brother, Tank.
J.E. Thomas, Author