Schoolbot 9000: A Graphic Novel

by Sam Hepburn

A hilarious—and ominous—new graphic novel series about what happens when one school’s human teachers are replaced by robots

James Gordon is already annoyed by the robots in his life—the drones that look like bugs, the dogbots at the park, his HomeBot babysitter, and now? He’s just found out that Schoolbots are replacing all of his favorite middle school teachers.

James’s teachers have always cared about his feelings and supported his art, but with the news that artificial intelligence is replacing them, James’s life feels like it’s full spiraling into chaos. All the Schoolbots care about is improving students’ test scores and efficiency, and they’ve had some seriously unnerving glitches.

James is determined to fight back but is going to need some help from a very unlikely ally in order to keep these robot teachers from taking over his school.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Fiction, Humor, Childrens, Grief

288 pages, Paperback

Published July 22, 2025

About the author

Sam is a Scottish-Malaysian writer and cartoonist based in England. Schoolbot 9000 is her very first graphic novel. In a previous life, she wrote advertising copy for big brands in consumer goods, finance, tech and more. Writing about tech was a big inspiration for Schoolbot 9000, the story of a young boy whose world spirals into chaos when his favourite teachers are replaced by AI-powered robots. You can see more of Sam's comics and behind the scenes on Instagram @samhepburn

•Praise for Schoolbot 9000•

A ComicsBeat Most Anticipated Summer Title

★ "A tender and approachable work that emphasizes the importance of human ingenuity and community over mechanical efficiency... A timely, hilarious take on the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in everyday life.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A timely tale to inspire rumination on the promise and dangers of AI... SCHOOLBOT and HomeBot, with their mechanical bodies and reflective eyes, frequently steal the show.” —Kirkus

"This timely, engaging, and funny story looks at the intersection of AI and one kid’s daily life...Graphic novel fans will gobble this up and be eager for the next installment. Highly recommended." —School Library Journal

Reviews

[Nadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The only ugliness in art is that without character. Everything else? Absolutely gorgeous.”

I should preface this review by stating that this book is the advance reader copy gifted by Sam Hepburn through a giveaway contest I participated.

Schoolbot 9000 humorously tells a tale of a world where Artificial Intelligence reached its peak and slowly consume its humanness.

This was obviously a childrens book but as I delve deeper into the story I’m filled with appreciation for artists, writers, educators and creators out there. Im grateful that I can indulge myself in their works which reflect their personal ideas, memories, principles, and qualities. This graphic novel included.

Sam Hepburn’s storytelling is simple, entertaining, and meaningful. Simple enough to help kids understand why human creators and educators are important.

Huge thanks to Sam Hepburn for this advance copy.
Can’t wait for the official release in July! :>

[Nicola Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun and cute graphic novel! The story was so much fun!

The cover is so bright and colourful. The artwork oh the front is fun. It's definitely eye-catching and very appropriate for young readers. They will love this.

The novel is written well and flows nicely. The language is definitely at the appropriate level for 9-12 year old readers.

The artwork in the cells is stunning. It's also very bright and colourful. It definitely has a charm.

The characters are fun and fit in well. Kids are definitely going to love Schoolbot and his adventures with James!

I definitely recommend this to you all. It's very suitable for 9-12 year olds and adults will love this too!!

[Kate Edmondson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert has reviewed it and says ‘amazing, cool, insane’ which I think in 9yo language means 5 🌟

For a boy who struggles to read, the fact he’s been secret reading in his bed means this is the perfect book! He even got it out on the train!

The graphics, colours and themes are great for a young reader and it’s encouraging to see the impact it has had on him.

I love the story that they’re preparing them to be grown ups - maybe we need these schoolbots in real life!

The robots are mad, smart and cool and Robert wouldn’t want one in his class!

[Steph Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

In style and readability, this comic book is ideal for middle-grade readers to tackle independently or as part of a wider class activity.

It tackles big questions about what it means to be human, what the pros and cons are of our increasing integration with robotics/AI, what we should be teaching children, whether some things have value that can’t be plotted or tabulated, and more. But it explores them in a way that is accessible to children and is entertaining and fun, rather than wordy and didactic.

The story is told from the point of view of James, who aside from his suspicions and dislike of robots generally is also trying to process the death of his dad, and his mum’s increasing distance from him as she throws herself into work and leaves her son’s care more and more to their ‘Homebot’. James’s struggles with his home life, friendships and school work will be very relatable to most children, and his grief will resonate with those in similar situations.

The illustrations perfectly complement the text of the story (which is broken up nicely so as not to be too daunting to young readers!) and give a vivid sense of action and emotion, making the characters feel really real – I could hear their voices as I read!

As well as raising common concerns about AI and automation, the book also considers ways in which they could possibly add value to our lives, but with limitations. And it is clear that the realms of art and creation (and teaching!) belong firmly in the human sphere, regardless of how efficient the machines may be.

Here’s what Babybows (9) had to say about the book:

Babybows: I love comic books and this one is really good and interesting. It’s really creepy and strange how robots are just taking over everywhere in the town but some of the grown-ups, like James’s mum, seem to think that’s okay, but it isn’t! I would find that really stressful like James in the book does. The writing in the book is easy to read and I could understand most of the words and the pictures are really fun with loads of detail. James is my favourite character, of course, because he struggles with his emotions like I do sometimes, and it’s okay to struggle! I agree with James too… my teachers are WAY better than any robots!

Babybows rates this book a full 5 stars and says that if you like comic books about robots and drawing and children then you will enjoy Schoolbot 9000 too. I would add to that that this book would make a great resource for parents or teachers looking to discuss some of the dangers and drawbacks of AI with their children in a fun, unique way.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was younger, I absolutely adored grabbing my brother's weekly comics and devouring them cover to cover.
It's a habit that I've definitely grown out of and I have no clue why!?
Which is why, when I spotted this new release, I absolutely grabbed it with both hands and I can't tell you how much I loved this!

This read took me right back to my youth and I once again, devoured this in one sitting.

I loved how relevant this story was to the world we're living in today but as much as I loved this whole book, it also made me a little sad at times.

We see James' school trialling the new Schoolbot 9000 - all the children are very excited to have a super modern, state of the art, robot teacher - all except James that is!
As a budding artist, he can see the downsides of the robot replacing real teachers - but it takes a while for the others to realise it's flaws.

I liked that the robot is shown in both a good and bad light.
Kids of today are plugged into some kind of technology all the time and it's easy to see all of the amazing benefits that tech can offer us.
Growing up in a world full of tech often means that the good old human traits are all but forgotten though and it was great to see this highlighted here too.

Parts of the story made me a little sad as lots of this story show a true picture of our ever changing world (especially the educaction system). I for one have already home educated my youngest child due to the recent system changes and the lack of provision for all children.

This book highlights the need for diversity and respect for all skills and being a musician, I have watched the decline of the arts with much sadness.
Hopefully this will help youngsters (and parents) to express their feelings and needs better and eventually bring about a change.

I absolutely flew through this and although it deals with some very real topics and themes, having it written in this format makes it fun to read and will help those messages stick.
I loved the different media used and the facts and figures that are also included - again, offered in a fun and interesting way along with some of the most amazing illustrations too. Fantastic!

Given the cliffhanger ending, I'm expecting a sequel to be coming soon - and I will be totally there and ready for it!
I would recommend this book to literally everyone, young and old.
An absolute winner all round.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

James does not enjoy the robots that are an increasing presence in his life. Since his dad died, his mother has used the Homebot to cook, clean, and keep tabs on his whereabouts while she works long hours, and his town of City Square has other community robots as well. School is a sanctuary filled with caring teachers like Mr. Hendry, the art teacher who believes in the human touch, just like James' dad. When Mayor Briggs announces that the parents will vote on whether the school should pilot a program with Schoolbots in order to improve test scores, James is devastated to find out that his mother supports this idea. The bots know all of the student data, and offer addictive games to students who are falling behind, so that they spend a lot of time practicing their skills. The initiative is not without pushback; a community organization called Hit the Kill Switch wants the robots removed. James' friend Charlie is one who has been given more practice, and he sees the effect this has on her. The teachers are dismissed one by one, as the Schoolbots take over their classes, processing the information in the textbook in the blink of an eye and coming up with engaging songs to help students remember content. Once the teachers are gone, the bots resort to giving daily exams in order to improve scores. The teachers have been given technology jobs for BuxGlobal, the manufacturer, and use these positions to gain intel. Eventually, the Schoolbots seem to be able to read emotions, and there is some hope that they won't be completely evil... until the founder of BuxGlobal announces the creation of a homeschooling program.
Strengths: While it's getting easier to find graphic novels that aren't whiny memoirs, that's still the main genre available, so this vaguely futuristic, humorous science fiction title was a nice change. While I personally don't worry about testing, a lot of people get quite up in arms; interestingly, this is a British title, which would explain why the mayor was involved in school issues. The robot incursion takes place slowly, teachers are let go a few at a time, and artificial intelligence has a few moments when it seems like under some circumstances it might be a good idea. But, of course, it's not! James' struggles with his home life impact his school experience, and he and his friends do a good job of banding together to fight against BuxGlobal, which is also turning the soccer firleds into a data center!
Weaknesses: I'm not sure if there will be a sequel, or what direction it will take if there is one. I'm all for a sequel if I can see more of Ms. Welsh, who wears pleated skirts and looks a bit like me!
What I really think: Books taking a stand against testing have been around for a while (Buyea's 2017 The Perfect Score), and there have even been some books about robotic school staff (Angleberger's 2016 Fuzzy), but since I read J.E. Thomas' The AI Incident (7/8/25) right after this, there might be more of these books on the way. This was a different type of graphic novel, and I enjoyed Hepburn's illustration style, so I will purchase a copy for school.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous. Relevant. Engaging.

Schoolbot 9000 was a breath of fresh air. It centres around a young boy, James Gordon, who is against the rise of robots in the world. He feels they are taking over everything - dogbots replacing pets, HomeBots replacing parents and now Schoolbots replacing his favourite teachers - and knows his late father would have agreed with him. An aspiring artist, he doesn’t like how they seem to be making everyone the same and taking away creativity. Still grieving his father, he feels his world is falling apart and doesn’t know who to turn to; it seems none of the adults around him will listen to his concerns and the Schoolbots seem to have a vendetta against him and his mind. Will he get his point across? Will protestors win? Or are Schoolbots just another ring on the AI ladders?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was an easy read with engaging graphics that I know the kids in my class would love. I think Hepburn has done a fantastic job at ensuring there are equal amounts of dialogue and detailed image aspects to ensure children would be kept entertained but have enough to follow the literal plot and infer their own ideas and feelings. However, the best part of this book - personally - was the themes and issues that the plot centred around. The handling of James’ grief of his late father was very well done and I feel it would resonate with any child in that position. His concerns and thoughts around it hit home and were relatable. Obviously, this was a secondary plot theme as its main premise is the rise of AI and technology. This is obviously a prominent theme in today’s climate and so to break it down to a child’s level and give them food for thought was a great idea. It helps that it was complimentary to teachers, which I appreciated. Overall, I think Hepburn has done a cracking job here and hope to see more of her work as I will definitely be using it as a conversation starter with my pupils. For me, I feel children 7+ would enjoy this.

[Georgina Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

School Bot9000 is a brilliantly illustrated middle-grade graphic novel that dives headfirst into the ever-timely topic of AI and robotics — and what they might mean for the future of human connection, jobs, and even grief. The illustrations are stunning; they bring the story to life and draw you straight into this near-future world that feels both imaginative and unsettlingly possible.

Told through the eyes of James — a young boy who’s still grieving the loss of his father and craving reconnection with his emotionally distant mum — the story doesn’t shy away from big emotions. James is sceptical of robots and resistant to their growing place in daily life, which makes his perspective especially compelling as the story unfolds. There’s something very poignant in seeing this technological world through the lens of someone who just wants more humanity, not less.

What stood out to me was how layered the story is. On the surface, it’s a book designed for children — and I’m genuinely interested in what young readers will make of it (I’ve already passed it on to my son!). But underneath, there’s a deeper narrative at play, one that raises real questions about where we’re heading as a society and what we might lose in the process. It’s clever, timely, and surprisingly moving.

The author’s note at the end hits home, especially the line: “A glitch may be a bad thing in the world of robots and AI, but for humans, it’s where the magic happens.” That sentiment beautifully captures the heart of the book — a reminder of the messy, unpredictable, and wonderful nature of being human.
With a cliffhanger that leaves you itching for more, School Bot 9000 is both an engaging read and a thoughtful exploration of tech’s place in our world.

It’s refreshing to see a sci-fi graphic novel aimed at younger readers that doesn’t shy away from real-world concerns, particularly the very real issue of AI replacing human jobs

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the first thing that jumps out at me is the cover! It’s bright, it’s attractive and will definitely draw in children who love books but also ones who may be a little unsure of reading but are inquisitive!
Upon opening the book the reader will find a lovely mix of graphics and words, again super appealing to those who may find reading difficult or be overwhelmed by a page of text.

The graphics are really good, they draw you in and really help with telling the story, especially where different things are in full colour, against other shaded parts.

The story itself is intriguing and will hold the attention of its target audience (9-12yrs) but also those a lot older too! My son is a few years younger, but really loved the illustrations and followed a lot of the story line too.

I loved how AI was depicted, showing both the positives and negatives and how things continually evolve. It’s important for children to see the different points of view - that robots cannot replace a human being, they cannot feel and appreciate things in the same way, and I think this came across well in the story.

There are really important storylines running through this story, with James dealing with the loss of his father, and also the absence of his mother as she tries to work and keep their world going.

I like how the homebot got overloaded when reading about James’ feelings, showing how all consuming our feelings can really be and how hard it is to process them all, especially for a young child.

There is also a lot about friendships within the story and the ups and downs of them. I feel the author dealt with these scenarios well.

When I asked my son what he thought about robots taking over at his school he said, ‘No, a robot won’t replace Miss X, it’s just a story, well I hope not anyway!’

[Oldbookishwoman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel aimed at children between 9yrs-12yrs (middle grade)

It is a sci-fi/speculative book 288 pages which are filled to the brim with art and story that works wonderfully together to tell a story that is very fitting in today's climate with AI being at the forefront in technological advancement..for better or worse.
James Gordon is an 11 year old and annoyed with the robots in his life. The drones that look like bugs, dogbots even HomeBot baby sitters.
Then to his dismay robots are now taking over his school. With their "improvements to school and their unnerving glitches James is determined to get the back. And get rid of these pesky robots
This story is so on point at the moment. Children will enjoy this with the art work is amazing and compliments the story perfectly. It is full of action and humour. Wonderful characters which children will be able to identify with. This is definitely worth adding to your childrens Summer Reading challenge or even grabbing a copy for b/day or Christmas.

[Kathy Megaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Sam Hepburn, for bringing to light the controversial opinions concerning the topic of AI. In Schoolbot 9000, this writer skillfully points out facets of technology that could be detrimental to the desirable and somewhat independent lifestyle that our youth are accustomed to. The book reveals ways that AI could possibly interfere with some of the freedoms/rights that young people currently enjoy (privacy, pursuit of interests, creative thinking, etc.).
I believe this story will embolden kids to speak up about their doubts and concerns. Hepburn entertains her young readers with humor, but at the same time, stresses the importance of questioning a concept (any concept) that doesn't seem/feel right...even if everyone around you is accepting it.
The illustrations in the book accurately portray emotions in the characters' facial expressions. The emotions displayed are true to those which middle schoolers would likely experience in the various situations presented in this story.
The only negative reflection I have is that I had hoped for a more conclusive ending.

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel aimed at sort of young teens I would say, but there was plenty to keep me entertained as someone one or two years older than the target market.
I love the cover, and the illustrations throughout, they really bring the story to life.
I think graphic novels are a great way to get younger readers interested where chapter books maybe don't seem too attractive to them. I think they are so easy to read and get through quickly.
The story here had some really thought provoking themes that will hopefully generate some conversations among the young readers and their families. AI is something that is constantly learning and evolving, and we need to learn how to live with it and learn with it. Friendship disagreements and loss of a loved one also feature heavily here and I think are particularly important topics for discussion.
The story ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and has definitely hooked me in and left me wanting more!

[Fatguyreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schoolbot 9000 was such a fun, entertaining read.

It's a graphic novel, so Is set out in story board style, all of which are so wonderfully colourful, while remaining nice and soft, and easy on the eye. Likewise the cover, with it's gold writing, it's sure to stand out on any shelf.

Now into the story. Without giving too much away, we follow James, who life is already full of robots, from dogbots, to babysitting bots, and now he's found out all his human teachers are bring replaced by robots, and he's not happy.

But can James fight back against his new robot teachers? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.

So all in all, this was such a quirky, idiosyncratic read, full of brilliant, relatable characters, and a hilarious storyline that'll have you laughing out loud while flipping the pages.

I read this with our 11 year old Daughter over about a week, and we both throughly enjoyed it.

5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from us.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robots are a part of everyday life; James' lunch is made by Homebot; kids have pet Dogbots. But when Schoolbot 9000 is trialled at James' school, he knows it has gone too far.

This was a really quirky, fun start to a graphic novel series. The book deals with real issues associated with AI, primarily that AI is taking jobs that could be done by real people.
I enjoyed the overall story, and there were some nice building blocks placed for James to grow. He was struggling with the loss of his dad and absenteeism of his mum as she worked; I'm interested to see how the author will expand and build on James' emotions in later books.
The art style was fun and colourful, with expressive character art and pretty cute fun-looking robots. I'll be keeping my eye out for book two, especially with the cliffhanger of an ending!

Thanks to the author and publisher for sending this book for an honest review!

[Elina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good. This book follows a boy who lives in the futuristic life where robots can replace parents. James’s father died when he was really small and as AI progresses and his mom’s work is getting busier they buy a robot who can take care of the house while his mom is away. James has had enough robot he believes robots have no heart and that robots should not even be there. Thats when the school’s PTA team decide to get a robot to teach. The latest and most updated robot to make sure your kid’s excels. The robot doesn’t give a minute to process everything fore he starts on with the next topic. Even the kids that were so excited are disappointed. This book was really good it is a perfect demonstration of how AI is so powerful and become even more powerful if we don’t let AI know that we are the boss and we created them.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son was incredibly excited to receive this book. He loves to read and has recently started enjoying the format of graphic novels. The cover caught his attention and he was intrigued to know more.

He was instantly enthralled with the story and raced through the whole book in two afternoons. It's fun and very enjoyable to read.

We both loved the pictures and colours used. The illustrations looked vibrant and they went perfectly with the storyline.

I liked that the book also got us chatting. We were thinking about all the funny things that could happen if his teachers were replaced with robots! Also, it's not entirely silly. There were some important topics woven in too which my son wanted to explore further and talk about.

I highly recommend it for any age.

[Alexa Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

James has a home robot who is helping out because his dad died and his mom is now a single parent. Living the dream right? That's what his friends think anyway. He hates it, and things get worse when the school wants to try out 2 Schoolbots. His mom votes for it--seems like a great idea! If parents need help, so do teachers. But Schoolbot rapidly oversteps into lessons and eventually, teachers get sent home so that Schoolbot can do their work. The kids are trapped doing exams. How will things be fixed? Will Schoolbots stay forever? Is James actually overhearing a sinister plot?

There's a storyline about companies only out for themselves and protesters against AI. There's also a grief bit, with some journaling. Set in a fairly easy to read story about robots and friendship and family.

[Nicola Malloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love graphic novels in our home, my son first fell in love with bunny vs monkey and it has expanded over the years and my daughter has followed suit.Schoolbot 900 was a really interesting concept of robots taking the place of teachers and the exploration of how we need human interaction and empathy, how robots have a place but at what cost.We really enjoyed the humour throughout and the surprises along the way, although my son did mention a few of his old teachers could easily be replaced with robots even if they were glitching out.The illustrations where fun and really easily to follow so we believe this book is suitable for lots of ages.

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

James is not a fan of the robots that seem to be taking over his world. His dad would understand but he's dead and James' mom is a robot fan. They have a homebot that James is constantly trying to thwart. When he finds out his school has been selected to get a schoolbot 9000 he's outraged. What will happen to his beloved teachers? James loves art and his art teacher, the schoolbot doesn't know how to feel art....if it isn't perfect the robot wants it changed. The robots only know how to increase performance to reach the goal of perfection. Can't anyone else see what is happening? James feels all alone as he tries to convince people that this is not good.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
Readers meet James and his friends at an interesting time. Robots are used for a variety of roles including in home jobs. The tension between James and his mom is evident and grief plays a huge part. The tension ratchets up when Schoolbots are introduced and take over for human teachers. This does not go well and readers see the huge corporation behind it. We're privy to the hidden purposes as different characters are shown. The ending offers hints on where the series will go next.
Hepburn offers a chance for readers to think about AI and how to incorporate it in lives. It's a statement on the dangers of uncontrolled growth as well.

[Lauren Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter, Peighton who is 8, was able to sit and read this book all by herself - the comic book style / graphic novel is new to her so it took her a little while to get used to reading in this style. She then flew through the pages!

The illustrations throughout were fab and I felt the book was bright, colourful and engaging for young readers. Every page was jam packed full of action and colour.

The storyline was thought-provoking, funny and really enjoyable for all ages!

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schoolbot 9000 by Sam Hepburn.
A Graphic Novel.
Oh wow. I loved this book. The illustrations were perfect. I did love the cover of this book. The book is very eye-catching. I would say for any age. It's such a fun read. I loved the story. Such an easy and quick read. I've never read a book like this before. The colours were vibrant, and the writing was so easy to read. I liked the characters, too. This was a unique and different story.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tech company behaves badly so they can make money at the expense of children’s well being, and even though the grownups seem to be on board with this cost-saving initiative, the kids are not happy about replacing personal connection with a focus on perfection and efficiency.

If this wasn’t in graphic novel format, I would think the subject matter would appeal more towards adults than kids, but the artwork is colorful and inviting, so I think kids will appreciate this.

[Lim Wee Ling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homebots and schoolbots will be the future; there's no denying it Thanks to Sam Hepburn's cheeky take on how tech, A.I and machines will soon take over our lives, I can now laugh about it. Looking forward to how the Schoolbot Homeschooling System plays out. I am definitely staying tuned for the second installment.

[Morpheyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smart, funny and with a lot of heart - including a clever commentary on AI and robots, even commenting on how they aren't trained to recognise the voices of the minority. Love the slightly retro-themed illustrations - this is how robots should look like! Took off 1 star cos it gets a bit draggy in the last couple of chapters.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Folks, we librarians and parents really need to read some graphic novels, even if we think the cover looks lame or same-old-thing. This MG GN has an important message about technology and AI's role in schools and our lives in general. Kids will enjoy and perhaps have a deeper think about our reliance on tech and robots.

[Suzie Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this funny, heartwarming and brilliantly illustrated graphic novel - it would make a fantastic present for any older child (9+) in your life. A triumph of human creativity over AI sterility!

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my previous students gifted this to me during our school book fair, and I’m so thankful she did! This is one of the best graphic novels that I’ve read in a long time. I can’t wait to share it with my current students.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the increase of AI in our daily lives this book feels very timely and highlights a lot of concerns about AI. I appreciated the inclusion of data centers being a point on contention within community too.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

please put down whatever you are reading and get a copy of this wonderful book