Unboxing Libby

Cherrywell, Steph. Unboxing Libby
April 1, 2025 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

It's about 2285, and a colony is being established on Mars. In order to test out some of the facilities that are being built, robots have been brought it to simulate a population. These are remaindered companions robots produced by Minerva Corps, and modeled on characters from two programs, AI Cademy and Sky Surfers. Because of this, they come in a set number of models, which can be slightly customized as far as skin tones. The parents of the teen robots are nostalgic based older models of the same characters. We meet Libby (a happy, friendly teen) who has just been turned on and placed with Nora (an artist and sometimes moody character). Libby goes to school and meets other models like herself, as well as Wendy, Roxanne, and other models. There are so many Libbys that they go by nicknames; Libby uses "Max". She notices early on that she is different from the other Libbys, and when she discovers that she can cross boundaries that the other robots can't, she consults with Dr. Bhanjee, an engineer who runs diagnostics on her. Max 's programming is very different, and Dr. Bhanjee needs to find resources to properly diagnose her. In the meantime, Libby befriends Roxanne even though her script says the two aren't friendly, and even modifies her hair and clothing to be closer to the rather mean, trouble making character. Libby finds out that when robots have problems, they are sold or upcycled, but she still presses on with trying to find out who she really is. Her school friends have some problems, and Roxanne is ready to dismantle human society. "Glitter" Libby plans a Halloween party and reveals some things she has uncovered about how the robots interact. There is a scuffle, and the director comes and scans the robots for defects, marking many of the kids with red dots, intending to recyle them. Libby has had her off switch disabled, so is able to lead a revolt. Will the robots be able to evolve to be their authentic selves, and will the planetary government allow them to live in peace?

Strengths: There is a long history of books about robots or living in space, and this Unboxing Libby has an interesting premise. What if Mars were to be inhabited, and what if robots (even junky ones) could override their programming and become independent? Spin this topic with some nostalgia for Bratz or Monster High Dolls with a little bit of American Girl thrown in, and this has some promise. Of course Max is "not like the other Libbys", and is searching for her own identity. The evil Roxanne (who knew that calling everyone "Cupcake" could be so aggressive!) is an interesting foil to the scripted politeness that most of the characters follow. The tech savvy, intellectual Wendies come on strong as well, banding together to make change. There are good details about the housing and societies being planned, and a sneak peek at the administration and people behind the scenes, like Dr. Bhanjee and her family. 
Weaknesses: This had some confusing moments, and I don't think my students will get all of the philosophy and allegory that permeates the pages. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked introspective works like Malinenko's This Appearing House or DeStephano's The Ghost in the Machine, and readers who like friend drama will also enjoy it. With such a peppy cover, I was hoping for something a bit more fun, like Danziger's This Place Has No Atmosphere, a bit more adventurous, like Kraatz's The Moon Platoon or Levy's Seventh Grade vs. the Galaxy, or even a bit more instructive, Holm's The Lion of Mars (which does a great job of discussing interpersonal relationships and international conflicts.)