Unboxing Libby, Steph Cherrywell
Unboxing Libby, Steph Cherrywell
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.49

Unboxing Libby

Author: Steph Cherrywell

Narrator: Grace Rolek

Unabridged: 8 hr 40 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/01/2025


Synopsis

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.

Reviews

Goodreads review by M on December 14, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing this book, with my honest review below. What a great book for those who have nostalgia recalling American Girl Dolls and, of course, its target audience of younger readers. I’d go ahead and say this is a targeted for a boo......more

Goodreads review by Theresa on March 23, 2025

The premise and description of Unboxing Libby immediately brought to mind Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. I didn’t expect to find a masterpiece like Ishiguro’s but the parallels are sometimes there.. in Unboxing Libby we are faced with a world of what I pictured as animatronic American Girl dol......more

Goodreads review by Rachel on March 22, 2025

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review* I wasn't sure what to expect from this book so I was able to sit back and enjoy the story as it unfolded. There are so many themes here that would make for interesting conversations with middle grade readers......more

Goodreads review by Elizabeth on February 09, 2025

This is the first of Steph’s works that I have read and I’m so glad they were able to join us at Fall Forum so I could have the privilege. There was a moment while reading this story that I briefly questioned the middle grades reading level suggestion. The story felt more sophisticated and adult tha......more

Goodreads review by Karen on March 27, 2025

Whoah! Mind blown. I knew I was going to read about robots, but I like to go into a book as blind as possible so that was all I knew. I loved all the incredible themes within and out of the box of Unboxing Libby. I can only imagine that readers will be able to take even more themes as they read and......more


Quotes

"Cherrywell has crafted a riveting sf dramedy, complete with cautionary observations of our modern society, packaged neatly in a sweet (AI) teen’s POV. Between chapters, advertisements describing the book's androids as products adds humor in a smart satirization of marketing, inviting readers to read between the lines. Any fan of friendship stories will adore this tale of a preteen robot finding her true self."—Booklist, starred review

“This charming, feel-good work turns the concept of robots resembling sentient American Girl–style dolls into a heartfelt exploration of self. Cherrywell’s debut thoughtfully delves into themes of self-exploration, bullying, friendship, and individuality…. An endearing story about being true to oneself.”

Kirkus