The Superteacher Project - by Gordon Korman (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

From Gordon Korman, the bestselling author of Restart and The Unteachables, comes a hilarious new story about a mysterious new teacher who turns out to be an AI robot from a secret experimental program.

Oliver Zahn, spitball champion and self-declared rule-wrecker of Brightling Middle School, is not a fan of his new homeroom teacher, Mr. Aidact. The guy is sort of stiff, never cracks a smile, and refers to them as "pupils." The worst part is he catches Oliver before he can pull any of his signature pranks! It's time for Oliver and his best friend, Nathan, to show the new teacher who's boss.

But as the weeks go by, they start to realize that Mr. Aidact is not what they expected. He has an uncanny ability to remember song lyrics or trivia. When the girls' field hockey team needs a new coach, he suddenly turns out to be an expert. He never complains when other teachers unload work on him--even when it's lunchroom duty and overseeing detention. Against all odds, Mr. Aidact starts to become the most popular teacher at Brightling.

Still, Oliver and Nathan know that something is fishy. They're determined to get to the bottom of the mystery: What's the deal with Mr. Aidact?

Review Quotes

"A keenly rendered, fast-paced read." - Publishers Weekly

Praise for THE UNTEACHABLES: "Korman infuses such humanity into this tightly controlled ensemble piece and so deftly skewers school politics and classroom management eccentricities that middle-schoolers will recognize and appreciate both the absurdities and the frustrations." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Praise for OPERATION DO-OVER: "Korman brings smart plotting to an absorbing time travel narrative that examines the long-term impact of actions....Given [the] opportunity for a do-over, [Mason] seeks to right wrongs as well as try new things, leading to a climax in which both he and readers see what, if anything, has changed. Full of warmth and middle-grade humor." - Publishers Weekly

"Watching Mason learn from mistakes and explore new aspects of himself (especially with a 17-year-old consciousness trapped in a preteen body) is vicariously satisfying, and the sheer fascination of his predicament will keep readers turning pages, anxious to find out if he succeeds." - Kirkus Reviews

Praise for UNPLUGGED: "A provocative take on the redemptive power of friends and pets." - ALA Booklist (starred review)

"This fast-paced, funny friendship story will delight realistic fiction readers and fans of Korman's work." - School Library Journal

Praise for NOTORIOUS: "Korman is reliably at the head of the pack in middle-grade quirkiness, and his fans will be well pleased with this fresh title." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Korman brings his usual humor and heart to this well-plotted mystery... that sensitively explores themes of friendship and family." - Publishers Weekly

"Just plain fun from start to finish, this story will appeal to Korman's many fans and others who enjoy humorous fiction." - School Library Journal

"A school story with a twist, told with humor, insight, and empathy." - Kirkus Reviews

"In this funny and provocative outing...Korman, as usual, takes the side of the kids. Relayed by multiple narrators, the tale offers both different perspectives on effective teaching methods and food for thought about the notion of "personhood."

Praise for The Superteacher Project: nominee for the 2025-2026 South Carolina Book Awards - 2025-2026 South Carolina Book Awards