Fuzzy

Reach for this book when your child feels like they are being reduced to a grade or a test score, or when they are struggling with the rigid 'logic' of school rules. It is a perfect choice for kids who feel a bit out of step with institutional expectations and need to see that their humanity and empathy are more important than data points. Set in a near-future middle school, the story follows Max and her new friend Fuzzy, a robot being 'raised' to navigate the school's high-stakes testing environment. As they uncover a system designed to prioritize scores over students, they learn what it truly means to think for oneself. It is a humorous, fast-paced science fiction story that validates a child's sense of justice and their need for authentic connection in a high-pressure world.