Adorable sci-fi middle grade read with real world implications. The pace in this was medium, but felt fast. I blew right through this book I was enjoying it so much. The concept is fantastic and integrates a good dystopian type narrative with messages about equality (or lack thereof) with regard to wealth, privilege, and opportunity.

The construction of the narrative is great. There is a mix of story with interjections by the "narrator". This was so cute and clever and I loved how it played into the plot.

There is bound to be controversy with regard to the analogy presented through the narrative, but I think it's important to view this through a middle grade lens. There are definitely imperfections in the construction (which I think is the case with most novels), but as a whole it provides a hopeful approach that things in society could someday get better. This is important for middle grade readers, though viewing it through an adult lens can make the social implications seem a bit too simplified.

In general, I feel like The School for Whatnots presents a great jumping off point for conversations regarding privilege. Middle grade readers are adept enough to begin understanding the way the world works and how life isn't always fair. Many of them likely have personal experience. Giving them a book to start understanding situations beyond their own lens or as a conversation piece for how to make the world better is important.

Margaret Peterson Haddix's inclusion of Josie as a character was crucial and I think she was handled well. Josie had insights that reveal some of the more important underlying emotional issues and the complexities of the decisions that the parents in the story are being forced to make.

A good, thought-provoking read that will be important to follow up with discussion for younger readers.