The Superteacher Project
by
Gordon Korman
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
HarperCollins
Imprint
Balzer + Bray
ISBN
9780063032798
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
Ungifted meets The Unteachables in this hilarious new novel by bestselling author Gordon Korman about a mysterious new teacher who turns out to be an AI robot from a secret experimental program.
Oliver Zahn, spitball champion and self-declared rule-wrecker of Brightling Middle School, is not a fan of his new homeroom teacher, Mr. Aidact. The guy is sort of stiff, never cracks a smile, and refers to them as “pupils.” The worst part is, he catches Oliver before he can pull any of his signature pranks! It’s time for Oliver and his best friend, Nathan, to show the new teacher who’s boss.
But as the weeks go by, they start to realize that Mr. Aidact is not what they expected. He has an uncanny ability to remember song lyrics or trivia. When the girls’ field hockey team needs a new coach, he suddenly turns out to be an expert. He never complains when other teachers unload work on him—even when it’s lunchroom duty and overseeing detention. Against all odds, Mr. Aidact starts to become the most popular teacher at Brightling.
Still, Oliver and Nathan know that something is fishy. They’re determined to get to the bottom of the mystery: What’s the deal with Mr. Aidact?
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
Details
Format
Page Count
304
Trim Size
8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Dewey
F
AR
5.2: points 9
Genre
Fic
Scholastic Reading Counts
0
JLG Release
Mar 2023
Book Genres
Humor, Science Fiction
Topics
Middle schools. Robots. Artificial intelligence (AI). Humorous stories. Pranks. Students and teachers. Friendship. Field hockey.
Standard MARC Records
Download Standard MARC Records
Cover Art
Download Cover Art
Praise & Reviews
Praise & Reviews
School Library Journal
School Library Journal
Library Journal
Gr 4–6—Oliver, self-proclaimed "number one rule-wrecker," spitballs new teacher Mr. Aidact on the first day of seventh grade. But when Aidact catches the projectile between his thumb and forefinger, it's clear this rookie is no ordinary teacher. Aidact's popularity quickly grows to hero status: teachers dump unwanted assignments on him, and students are enthralled by his vast knowledge and enthusiasm. What is the secret of Aidact's success? Why does he never eat or drink, and why is his student teacher much older than he is? Korman plants clues readers will notice quickly, so only Oliver and the students are shocked when Aidact is revealed to be a robot and his student teacher is a Department of Education engineer assigned to monitor this experimental project. The reveal creates an uproar, compelling the entire school to consider what makes a teacher great—and what it means to be truly human. The controversy also gives Korman opportunity to comment on government, artificial intelligence, and the limitless potential of students. This novel has Korman's trademark humor, fast pace, alternating points of view, and raucous climax. All convey his message with masterful ease: the best teachers don't allow themselves to become robotic. They know that students respond to teachers who are willing to show they're a little bit like them—or to teachers who simply like them. VERDICT Through his understanding of what makes middle schoolers tick, Korman writes the books kids love to read and teachers ought to read.—Marybeth Kozikowski
Grades 5-8
High Interest Middle Plus
For Grades 5-8
These exciting, age-appropriate fiction and nonfiction titles will appeal to even the most reluctant middle-school readers. With that kind of appeal, the 12 books in this category will rarely sit on the shelf.
14 books per Year
$284.62 per Year
Interests
Clean Books,Chapter Books/Novels,Diversity,Fiction,Graphic Novels,Reluctant Readers,Transitional Readers,Thriller/Horror/Mystery,Funny/Humorous,Realistic Fiction
Grades 5-8
High Interest Middle Plus
14 books per Year
$284.62 per Year
