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My Teacher is an Android
Dark Space #1
Is your substitute teacher... human?
Kayla Baines is pretty sure Mr. Asher isn’t. He doesn’t blink. He moves like he’s gliding. And somehow, he knows everything about her class before anyone says a word. At first, Kayla thinks she’s imagining things. But then the pop quizzes start grading themselves, kids begin acting strange, and permission slips appear out of nowhere with her mom’s signature.
Something is seriously wrong.
With the help of her best friend Jaden and a mysterious girl named Rowan, Kayla discovers a secret underground lab, a network of android educators, and a terrifying plan to replace people—one perfect copy at a time. Trapped in a high-tech experiment, the three kids must figure out who they can trust, who’s already been replaced... and how to shut everything down before it's too late.
Perfect for fans of Goosebumps, Animorphs, and Stranger Things, My Teacher Is an Android is a creepy, fast-paced sci-fi horror adventure full of twists, tech, and the kind of teacher you’ll never forget.
Is your substitute teacher... human?
Kayla Baines is pretty sure Mr. Asher isn’t. He doesn’t blink. He moves like he’s gliding. And somehow, he knows everything about her class before anyone says a word. At first, Kayla thinks she’s imagining things. But then the pop quizzes start grading themselves, kids begin acting strange, and permission slips appear out of nowhere with her mom’s signature.
Something is seriously wrong.
With the help of her best friend Jaden and a mysterious girl named Rowan, Kayla discovers a secret underground lab, a network of android educators, and a terrifying plan to replace people—one perfect copy at a time. Trapped in a high-tech experiment, the three kids must figure out who they can trust, who’s already been replaced... and how to shut everything down before it's too late.
Perfect for fans of Goosebumps, Animorphs, and Stranger Things, My Teacher Is an Android is a creepy, fast-paced sci-fi horror adventure full of twists, tech, and the kind of teacher you’ll never forget.
126 pages, Paperback
Published May 20, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 14, 2025
Book Review: My Teacher Is an Android (Dark Space) by Ell Orvell
Ell Orvell’s My Teacher Is an Android is a spine-tingling, twist-filled sci-fi thriller for middle grade readers that perfectly blends classic school drama with unsettling, high-tech horror. With a tone that echoes Goosebumps and the eerie mystery of Stranger Things, this book is a wild ride from the very first chapter.
Twelve-year-old Kayla Baines is the kind of relatable, curious heroine readers will instantly root for. When her substitute teacher, Mr. Asher, starts acting way too perfect—and way too robotic—she knows something isn’t right. No blinking. No mistakes. Quizzes that grade themselves. And how does he know everything about the class before anyone says a word? With the help of her loyal best friend Jaden and the enigmatic new girl Rowan, Kayla stumbles into a terrifying conspiracy involving androids, identity theft, and a lab hiding in plain sight.
Orvell crafts a tightly-paced plot with smart dialogue, genuinely creepy moments, and a clever mystery that keeps readers guessing. The tension steadily rises as the trio investigates who’s human, who’s been replaced, and how far the android network has spread. The book tackles themes of trust, control, and identity in a way that’s accessible yet thrilling, keeping readers hooked while subtly raising big questions about technology and autonomy.
The setting—a seemingly normal school with an ominous secret—adds to the suspense, and the final act delivers a satisfying climax with enough loose ends to leave room for a sequel (fingers crossed!).
Final Verdict:
Fast, fun, and freaky in all the right ways, My Teacher Is an Android is a must-read for kids who love mystery, science fiction, and just the right amount of creepy. Ell Orvell hits all the right notes for a middle grade horror-sci-fi mashup that feels fresh, modern, and totally unforgettable. Teachers may never look the same again…
Ell Orvell’s My Teacher Is an Android is a spine-tingling, twist-filled sci-fi thriller for middle grade readers that perfectly blends classic school drama with unsettling, high-tech horror. With a tone that echoes Goosebumps and the eerie mystery of Stranger Things, this book is a wild ride from the very first chapter.
Twelve-year-old Kayla Baines is the kind of relatable, curious heroine readers will instantly root for. When her substitute teacher, Mr. Asher, starts acting way too perfect—and way too robotic—she knows something isn’t right. No blinking. No mistakes. Quizzes that grade themselves. And how does he know everything about the class before anyone says a word? With the help of her loyal best friend Jaden and the enigmatic new girl Rowan, Kayla stumbles into a terrifying conspiracy involving androids, identity theft, and a lab hiding in plain sight.
Orvell crafts a tightly-paced plot with smart dialogue, genuinely creepy moments, and a clever mystery that keeps readers guessing. The tension steadily rises as the trio investigates who’s human, who’s been replaced, and how far the android network has spread. The book tackles themes of trust, control, and identity in a way that’s accessible yet thrilling, keeping readers hooked while subtly raising big questions about technology and autonomy.
The setting—a seemingly normal school with an ominous secret—adds to the suspense, and the final act delivers a satisfying climax with enough loose ends to leave room for a sequel (fingers crossed!).
Final Verdict:
Fast, fun, and freaky in all the right ways, My Teacher Is an Android is a must-read for kids who love mystery, science fiction, and just the right amount of creepy. Ell Orvell hits all the right notes for a middle grade horror-sci-fi mashup that feels fresh, modern, and totally unforgettable. Teachers may never look the same again…
June 18, 2025
This story is surprisingly scary! I say surprisingly, because I chose it expecting a humorous, slightly chilling, middle grade read focusing on a subject that interests me. Whoa! I got all that, but I also got my always-present paranoia ramped up, and I got an aspect I always admire in both Horror and Science Fiction genres: implacability! What a flavor of "take over the world," "Resistance is futile!" I am left with the resonance from that classic 1950's SF film, "The Day the Earth Stood Still." Okay, the invaders were far more obvious in the film; here in the story they're more like in the novel THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1959), by which I mean the "others" are almost identical to humans, and if an observer wasn't paying attention to lack of body language, blinking, or inflection, might not be noticed as anything "different."
I don't mean to say this story is "too" scary for middle graders nowadays. After all, they don't mind "Five Nights at Freddy's," as I do (smile). After a long lifetime of devouring Science Fiction and Horror, I tend to pick up clues and run rampant in all sorts of directions. Despite the chills ["democracy is inefficient," intones the eponymous Android], I totally enjoyed this well-written, thoughtful and thought-provoking, engrossing, novel, and anticipate reading more from this author.
I don't mean to say this story is "too" scary for middle graders nowadays. After all, they don't mind "Five Nights at Freddy's," as I do (smile). After a long lifetime of devouring Science Fiction and Horror, I tend to pick up clues and run rampant in all sorts of directions. Despite the chills ["democracy is inefficient," intones the eponymous Android], I totally enjoyed this well-written, thoughtful and thought-provoking, engrossing, novel, and anticipate reading more from this author.
June 19, 2025
This Teacher Needs a Reboot
Okay, so I thought my sixth-grade teacher was weird because she wore socks with sandals, but at least she wasn’t a literal android! 😂 My Teacher Is an Android is wild—in the best way. I tore through this book like Kayla tearing open the mystery behind Mr. Asher’s creepy, gliding walk. Robots, secret labs, and kids saving the world? Yes, please! If you’ve ever side-eyed your substitute teacher and thought, Hmm… something’s not right, this book will absolutely confirm your suspicions. Total page-turner with major Goosebumps vibes. 🤖✨
Okay, so I thought my sixth-grade teacher was weird because she wore socks with sandals, but at least she wasn’t a literal android! 😂 My Teacher Is an Android is wild—in the best way. I tore through this book like Kayla tearing open the mystery behind Mr. Asher’s creepy, gliding walk. Robots, secret labs, and kids saving the world? Yes, please! If you’ve ever side-eyed your substitute teacher and thought, Hmm… something’s not right, this book will absolutely confirm your suspicions. Total page-turner with major Goosebumps vibes. 🤖✨
June 23, 2025
My Teacher Is an Android is a suspenseful, fast-paced middle grade sci-fi mystery that hooked me from the first chapter. Kayla's curiosity and courage drive a thrilling story where kids must outsmart robots and uncover a creepy conspiracy right under their noses. The mix of eerie moments, secret labs, and brave friendships kept me turning the pages late into the night. I especially enjoyed how the story balanced just the right amount of scary with a sense of adventure—perfect for readers who like their chills with a side of fun.
July 22, 2025
My Teacher is an Android is a great sci-fi mystery thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. Right from the first page, it grabbed my attention. I loved that it was set in a school, with the characters noticing something strange with their teacher. Its a quick read but still felt complete right up until the end. Definitely a must-read for fans of young adult sci-fi.
June 23, 2025
Straight A’s in Spooky
This book had me side-eyeing every teacher with perfect posture—My Teacher Is an Android is a wild ride of creepy-cool chaos, secret labs, and middle school mayhem, and I was obsessed from page one!
This book had me side-eyeing every teacher with perfect posture—My Teacher Is an Android is a wild ride of creepy-cool chaos, secret labs, and middle school mayhem, and I was obsessed from page one!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews