Max and Josie have been friends ever since they first met in kindergarten. Max hosts a party to kick off his summer vacation at the end of his fifth-grade year. When Josie leaves the party, she whispers something to him about "whatnot rules." The next day he finds a note that reads, "No matter what anyone else tells you, I'm real." When Max tries to contact her, Josie's phone has been disconnected. Max has to find out where Josie has gone and what she meant when she whispered about whatnots. The book is told from the duel perspectives of Max and Josie, and it turns out that Josie has been fighting to see him again too.
This is a book that defies genre, blurring the lines between contemporary realistic fiction, mystery, and science fiction. Although this story excels as a mystery, it is also about friendship, how humans treat each other, and the impact of socioeconomic disparities on education and life outcomes. If you enjoyed Haddix's other novels, you should definitely pick up School for Whatnots.
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