Acclaimed author Lance Rubin makes his middle grade debut with a hilariously terrifying, terrifyingly hilarious story of a boy who gets more than he bargained for when he creates an A.I. best friend.
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.
“A funny, kid-perfect glimpse into a near-future that’s probably already here.”
— Gordon Korman, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Unteachables
“Zed’s first-person narration balances humor with introspection, capturing many of the nuances of early adolescence. The novel deftly critiques tech dependency without veering into didacticism, instead posing complex questions in a relatable, age-appropriate framework. A compelling, character-driven narrative that is both a cautionary tale and a celebration of human connection, the story may spark meaningful conversations about AI, identity, and what it means to connect in an increasingly automated world.”
“Rubin skillfully balances humor, suspense, and emotional insights into the angst and isolation of adolescence, especially in a world where technology is always a tap away. A fast-paced plot, quirky characters, and timely themes address friendship and identity in the digital age.”
“Humor dominates Rubin’s dystopian cautionary tale, softening the novel’s
reminders of the dangers of technology overuse, and more specifically, the risks of allowing big companies to dominate our everyday lives. A timely purchase for all middle grade collections with a reassuring message kids need to hear—there’s life beyond your screen.”
“Rubin reflects and magnifies contemporary readers’ experiences navigating the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence in their everyday lives. At the heart of this fast-paced adventure is Zed’s desire to connect with others; his drive to establish and maintain genuine friendships makes this an enjoyable and profound cautionary tale.”
“Inviting consideration of what it really means to live without privacy, Rubin doesn’t hold back about what our near-future IT and AI overlords have in store for us and how much closer and more real friendships can be when the phones are put away.”
“This imaginative and achingly well-observed novel cleverly speculates about how tech companies could profit from the anxiety around middle school friendships. Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend is hilarious, insightful, and more than a little scary.”
“A propulsive friendship thriller, a funny, connective character story, and a warning about the future all rolled into one—Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend is a book you can’t put down and can’t stop thinking about once it’s over. My heart is still racing from this captivating, clever, and deeply human book.”
Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend
Zed Moonstein is terrible at making friends.
For the most part, though, that’s not such a big deal, because Zed has Rishti, his best friend and the only one he needs. They’re into the same stuff, they laugh at the same weird jokes, and they love living in MonoTown, the home of MonoLyth, the raddest tech company in the world. Even better, Zed’s mom works at MonoLyth, which means they get early access to all the newest devices and apps.
But since middle school started, things have been . . . trickier. Rishti and Zed are in all different classes, and worse, she’s made a new, cooler friend that Zed can’t seem to compete with. Zed feels left behind, forgotten in a drawer like last year’s MonoPhone.
That’s when Zed comes across something on his mom’s work computer: a top secret new app called MonoFriend. Soon, Zed is chatting with “Matt.” Matt is funny, he’s smart, and he knows Zed better than anyone else, even Rishti.
Maybe, Zed thinks, an A.I. best friend can be just as “real” as any other.
Unfortunately, he’s about to discover that he’s more right than he knows.