NOTE: We teamed up with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for this Unboxing Libby Giveaway. All opinions are our own; we were under no obligation to give a positive review. Giveaway prize provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Set in the distant future, Unboxing Libby by Steph Cherrywell is the sci-fi story you never knew you needed. Humans have perfected AI and robotics and are on the verge of colonizing Mars. Before sending humans to populate the planet, they’re sending AI-powered robots as a trial to work out the kinks of the idyllic communities before humans settle in, including the A.I.Cademy Girls, tween social companions designed after a popular TV series.
The A.I.Cademy Girls are programmed with unique memories and personalities that make them feel real, each with their own vibe and style for kids to choose as their perfect best friend. Noras are artistic while Wendys are smart. Libbys are bubbly and sweet – or at least they’re supposed to be, until Max comes along.
📝MAX’S ESSAY: Author Steph Cherrywell gives readers an exclusive peek into Max’s mind & the cracks starting to show in her perfectly programmed feelings. Read it HERE!
Libby “Max” Maxwell isn’t perfect, even though she’s programmed to be. She’s frustrated and angry instead of cheerful, breaking the rules set for her community, and she’s not really sure why. As Max questions everything about what’s happening to her and tries to figure out who she wants to be, she also discovers that there’s more going on behind the scenes with Minerva Social Computing, the creators behind the humanoid robots. Even though she’s supposed to be a perfect Libby, it’s the things that make her uniquely Max that might just save her and her friends from a terrible fate.
Unboxing Libby
AI meets American Girl Dolls in this quirky novel about a group of preteen androids who have been cast aside and have to make their own way in the world.
Max isn’t always sweet and bubbly. That wouldn’t be an issue except for the fact that she’s programmed to be. “Max” isn’t even her real name. She’s a Libby– one of the most popular A.I.Cademy Girl social robots, which top the sales charts for girls ages eight to twelve. They look almost human and there’s a companion to fit every personality. Wendys are smart. Robins are sporty. Noras are artistic. And Libbys? As the box they come in says: Always chipper, cheerful, and sweet, Libby(TM) makes the perfect friend.
But despite her packaging and her programmed memories, Max is feeling the opposite of perfect. The only thing she wants to know is why. But this question uncovers bigger answers than she bargained for – like the shocking fate of the other A.I.Cademy Girls, and what the founders of their idyllic community are really hiding. Max may not be the perfect Libby, but she’ll have to embrace what makes her uniquely Max to save herself and her friends before they’re all sent to the junkyard.
Unboxing Libby
AUTHOR: Steph Cherrywell
PUBLISHER: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
DATE: April 1, 2025
Unboxing Libby is funny, relatable, and impossible to put down. These girls might be robots, but they’re facing a lot of the same friendship hiccups and identity struggles as actual middle schoolers, and the splash of unsettling sci-fi elements and a mystery to unravel will keep you reading long past your bedtime.
Want a copy of this exciting sci-fi story? We teamed up with our friends at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for a giveaway. Ready to enter? Grab your favorite adult and have them enter below for your chance to WIN!
Unboxing Libby Giveaway:
WHAT DO I WIN?:
TWO (2) lucky winners will receive a hardcover copy of Unboxing Libby by Steph Cherrywell, generously provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
HOW DO I ENTER?:
Grab a parent or guardian and have them fill out the form below by April 18, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.
Giveaway runs from 04/04/25 at 05:00 pm ET through 04/18/25 at 11:59 pm. Open to US residents ONLY. Be sure to read the fully detailed rules HERE before entering.
NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED.
You must be 18 or older to enter. Please, only ONE entry per person. If selected as a winner, we will provide your parent/guardian with an affidavit to confirm that you are a valid winner who has permission to win. They will be REQUIRED to sign and return the affidavit to YAYOMG! to claim your prize. Prizes will NOT be mailed out without signed parental consent.
📚BEYOND THE PAGES: Take a peek inside Max’s mind with an exclusive peek at an essay about her summer vacation HERE!
