The Philosophy Resistance Squad

by Robert Grant

Milo is thrilled to be starting at the country’s fanciest, shiniest, most prestigious school. But it soon becomes clear that something sinister is going on. The headmaster, Dr Pummelcrush, is bent on brainwashing the students and turning them into mindless, unthinking human robots.

When Milo stumbles across a bright and colourful secret garden and meets its joyous gardener, he and his friends begin to open their minds to a whole new way of thinking: philosophy.

Can the Philosophy Resistance Squad use their new questioning skills to resist Pummelcrush’s evil project and save their classmates from being zombified?

Genres: Middle Grade

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2021

About the author

Robert Grant is a filmmaker, screenwriter, critic, and script consultant, based in London, with a penchant for science fiction and fantasy. He is one of the core team behind The London International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Film, serves as Literary Editor for SCI-FI-LONDON.com, and currently sits on the jury of the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Science Fiction Literature, the most prestigious science fiction award the UK has to offer. Robert's first book, Writing The Science Fiction Film, is out now.

Reviews

[Rasa Danute Siliņa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Šī grāmata man burtiski uzspridzināja smadzenes. Tā lika pārdomāt to kam biju līdz šim ticējusi. Kā arī beidzot sapratu kāpēc tieši šī gramata ir bērnu žūrijā. Tā atšķiras no citām. Svarīgas dzīves tēmas ir izskaidrotas samērā vienkāršā un interesantā veidā. Man ļoti patika.

Iesaku izlasīt tiem cilvēkiem, kas grib nopietni palauzīt galvu.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Milo begins the school year at his new school, one of the highest ranking schools in the world. He and his two best friends are thrilled to have been accepted into this elite school until they meet the headmaster, Dr. Pummelcrush. The older students act like mindless zombies, going to classes, eating the disgusting food, and never breaking any rules. Milo begins to suspect that they might be brainwashed. He discovers a garden hidden away on the school grounds. In the garden, he meets a teacher who used to teach philosophy (before the school banned the class because it made students think for themselves). Milo and his friends start to learn all they can about philosophy, hoping that an open mindset will help them to resist being brainwashed.

This was such a fun story! I liked the crazy school setting with all the insane rules and robot technology spying on the students and monitoring their every move.

Milo is an interesting character. I liked that he is so energetic and eager to learn. He has a creative spirit that will not be squashed by boring classes!

The plot is pretty straightforward. There are no major twists or surprises. I wasn't sure why the plot was dragged out for so long. Milo had several opportunities to act, to jump up and shout out the truth, to attack the bad guys and save his friends, but he doesn't do it. He bides his time, waiting for.... something. I don't know.

The pacing is a little weird. There were several places in the story that were the right time for action, but there was nothing. They just sit around and talk.

When the children have philosophy discussions with the garden teacher, they say that they will question everything. They can't take anything for granted. They have to follow the line of questions through a topic and discuss all the possibilities. But they don't actually do that.
I got frustrated with the philosophy dialogue, because it is skewed in a particular direction, leading the conversation down a certain path and not really asking honest questions. It felt like that author was preaching their own ideology, instead of it being a real discussion between kids.
There are discussions about God, vegetarians, pollution, immortality, the origin of the universe, and a bunch of other things. It starts out fine but then gets skewed in the direction that the author is pushing.

Overall this was a fun book! My favorite part was the quote where Milo wrote on his paper that he wants to be a musician when he grows up. The headmaster says, "...you want to be 'a musician'? Good grief. You must grow up and stop acting so childish. Stop fantasizing and get real."
Haha! I'm a musician, and I found that part hilarious!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Zane Grotupe · Rating 4 out of 5]

O, sāku lasīt un sapratu, ka man patīk! Un zinu arī to, ka es savā pusaudzes laikā arī lasītu ar lielu interesi. Jāatzīst, ka sākums šķita aizraujošāks, vēlāk mazliet interesi zaudēju, bet notikumi risinājās raiti, un, tā kā grāmata nav bieza, tad izlasīt var ātri.
Sižeta galvenā līnija man šķita ļoti saistoša- kaut kas no fantāzijas, modernām tehnoloģijām un tādas distopiskas nākotnes pasaules būvēšanas. Mazliet par daudz gan man bija pašas filozofēšanas un dialogu.
Grāmatā aptvertas tādas tēmas, kā cīņa ar sistēmu, kontrolējošo varu un bezierunu paļāvību. Kā būt pašam, domāt kritiski un neļaut sevi izveidot par ieroci cita rokās.

"Neuzskatiet pakļaušanos par vājuma pazīmi. Nē, tā ir brīvība- brīva iespēja pašam neko nelemt, neizvēlēties."

[Ieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lai gan filozofisko jautājumu sadaļa ļoti atgādināja grāmatu “Sofijas pasaule”, šī grāmata liek domāt un akli nepakļauties sistēmai, lai kas tā arī būtu - valsts iekārta, darba vieta vai skola.
Arī man reizēm ir bijusi sajūta, ka mūsdienu pasaule veidota tā, lai mēs visi kļūtu par robotizētiem radījumiem. Bet, kā vairākkārt atkārto grāmatas varonis Mailo, “spēcīgus, elastīgus un kritiskus prātus salauzt ir visgrūtāk”.

[jermacaane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man dazbrid bija sajuta ka esmu atpakal alvila stundas. Kopuma tiri laba bet nav isti my taste tho

[Herta Barisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesanta grāmata+ viegli lasāma😊

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milo ir 13 gadus vecs pusaudzis, kurš tiek uzņemts prestižā skolā, lai iegūtu nenovērtējamu izglītību, kas nodrošinātu viņam veiksmīgu turpmāko dzīvi. Ar to sākas stāsts, kas aizved ne tikai dziļās filozofiskās diskusijās, bet arī liek pārvērēt pašsaprotamo. Tomēr galvenie notikumi saistīti ar cilvēka vēlmi pēc varas, kontroles un naudas, jo prestižā skola izrādās ir pakļaujoša un kontrolējoša, kur skolēniem tiek izskalotas smadzenes lai panāktu viņu bezierunu pakļāvību un padarīt viņus līdzīgus robotiem. Milo izlemj pretoties šai sistēmai, sadraudzējoties ar brīnišķīga dārza īpašnieci. Tālāk jau Milo un viņa draugu piedzīvojumus jālasa pašiem. Jau pēc pirmajām lapaspusēm man bija skaidrs, ka savos padsmit gados man grāmata būtu patikusi. Tāda Orvela "1984" versija pusaudžiem. Par kritisko domāšanu, par domu brīvbu, par radošumu, jā, arī par izglītības sistēmām un skolām tehnoloģiju laikmetā. Lasās raiti, sižets virpinās labi, varbūt vietām tieši diskusijas par filozfiju mazliet iemet citā "akvārijā", bet kopumā labi. Ak, jā, ilgi man grāmata nostāvēja plauktiņā, nespēju saņemties izlasīt. Man kaut kā dikti nepievilcīgs likās gan vāka dizains, gan iesējums. Tā, ka ļoti neuzrunāja, lai gan palūkoju internetā - oriģināls ir tieši tāds pats. Ja grāmatai būtu piestāvošāks un smukāks ārējais apvalciņš, manuprāt, tā tikai iegūtu. (Piektā grāmata "Bērnu, jauniešu un vecāku žūrija 2025" kategorijā 15+.)

[Steph Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Philosophy Resistance Squad is a fantastic middle-grade read that is well worth your time. This is one of those books that I truly think that every kid should read. The story is about Milo who gets accepted at this prestigious school but comes to find out it is actually a nightmare. The instructors are brainwashing kids and basically sucking out their souls so they are lifeless worker bees. The part that makes this book so special is the philosophy part. It really is something. So Milo meets Ursula, a lady at the school who tends a garden. She teaches him about philosophy and questioning things. The dialogue is presented well in an easy-to-read format and should really keep kids engaged and hopefully, asking their own questions. I think it is so important for kids to question authority and to have critical thinking skills and this book really opens that door. Not only does it bring up some great questions about topics that should get the gears in kids' brains turning, but it also has really likable characters that you will want to root for.

[Roxi · Rating 3 out of 5]

🤖
Urgh, I finished this last week, but I'm falling back into bad habits of not posting 🤦‍♀️
🤖
Anyway, let's get into it!
Milo and his two friends, Sarah-Louise and Katie, enrol in an elite school, boasting fantastic results, jobs after school, the best any parents could want for their kids.
However, once they parents leave, this fantastic school suddenly doesn't appear to be as amazing as promised, with students disappearing and returning as mindless, unthinking human robots.
Luckily, Milo meets Ursula, who tends an indoor garden and used to teach Philosophy at the school.
Gaining more friends and students, can the newly assembled Philosophy Resistance Squad defeat headmaster Dr Pummelcrush?
🤖
This was definitely a fun little read, these was a few bits that were science, mechanics, etc, where my eyes glazed over, but overall, it's a great kid outsmarting adult book.
🤖

[Mary Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a curious, exciting marvel. A journey into the mind, it asks many questions and leaves it to the reader to come up with the answers. Milo is as an intriguing central character; lively, smart, hopeful, eager to learn and understand, determined to be heard…and to be himself. He is one of those kids who can’t simply sit still and do as he’s told; not when he knows how wrong what he’s told is. The storytelling reveals twist after twist, punch after punch with a whirlwind pace and danger at every turn, met with curiousity, friendship, defiance and some genuine heroics. An adventure that asks the hard questions and fights the good fight; bold, brave, unusual and really makes you think!

[Monta | IG montareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.4/5)
Domāšana | Filozofija | Sistēmas kritika | Jaunieša balss | Jautājumu uzdošana

Man ļoti patika šīs grāmatas ideja un vēstījums. Filozofu pagrīdes vienība aicina jauniešus domāt patstāvīgi, uzdot jautājumus un neakli pakļauties sistēmai tikai tāpēc, ka “tā pieņemts”. Šāds vēstījums, manuprāt, ir īpaši svarīgs tieši šodienas pasaulē.

Stāsts ir interesants un viegli uztverams, vienlaikus rosinošs – tas mudina apšaubīt, analizēt un meklēt savas atbildes.

Noteikti laba izvēle jauniešiem, kuri sāk domāt plašāk par sabiedrību, noteikumiem un savu vietu tajā – un arī pieaugušajiem, kuri vēlas atcerēties, cik svarīgi ir nezaudēt kritisko domāšanu.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Milo is accepted at the top private school in Ireland which is the second best school in the word. Dr. Pummelcrush is determined to become #1 and his teaching methods veer to the diabolical. When Milo starts meeting with ousted philosophy professor Ursula in her secret garden, he begins to question everything.

[Līga Pacēviča]

Grūti šai grāmatai ielikt atzīmi,jo tā domāta jauniešiem,bet es vērtēšu kā pieaugušais. Jaunībā noteikti būtu atstājusi lielu iespaidu uz mani un žēl,ka tad tādas nelasīju. Tāds Orvela bērnu variants.
Plusiņš par to,ka rosina bērnus uz filozofiskām pārdomām. Bet bērnu dialogiem un, godīgi sakot, visam pārējam arī - nenoticēju.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting and informative introduction to the power and value of philosophy and critical thinking, and why it is so necessary today.

[Michael Prendergast · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aimed at the younger market. This is a very basic plotted story wrapped around the concept of 'what is philosophy'. It's meh!!!

[lilac · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Ramon Murguia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could not get into this book just the principle was too mean for me to read thru

[Greg Teller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to intro young kids to philosophy! It’s a simple story but it’s fun and has great characters and dialogues.

[Marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bija norm, bet diezgan boring.
13.06.2025

[Gunta Riske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patika jauniešu filozofiskās diskusijas. Kā arī grāmata liek aizdomāties par to, kā nepakļauties sistēmām un nebūt par aitām, kas akli kaut kam seko, bet visu apšaubīt un uzdot jautājumus.

[Luke Pete · Rating 2 out of 5]

Irish writer Robert Grant has written a silly philosophical novel that keeps driving at a noble mission, that of how vital the creation and exploration of knowledge is. Milo Moloney and his friends Sarah-Louise and Katie arrive at a school which, literally, leaves nothing to the imagination. It’s called the Secondary Training Institute for Lifelong Employment. There, students find themselves treated as vessels for facts and violence. They find their class is taught by the school's principal, Dr. Pummelcrush, and are strapped into classroom desks with metal headbands. Learning disruptions are remedied using neck pincers and more serious infractions with electrodes on the seats. When Milo gives his teacher and the robotic proctors the slip, he finds Ursula Joy, a former philosophy teacher who has been reassigned as a gardener. The writing breaks into Socratic dialogue every so often, serving to reimagine basic middle schooler preconceptions about good and evil. Grant is at his strongest parodying the influx of technology and metrics-monitoring that has become the new norm in schools. It is a humorous send-up of our own times, what with the constant barrage of post-COVID-19 "learning loss" solutions we are bombarded with in our email inboxes.

I’m torn about the violence and the presentation of politics. The book is the softest of sci-fi, but it perhaps requires a large helping of suspension of belief in the parent’s eagerness to send their students to a school so violent. Typically, school stories reflecting English and Irish boarding school life are much harsher. And there is clearly violence like that in the book which exists in the world. But I was taken aback by the overall contrast to the playful tone. The book presents as lighthearted as opposed to a straight black comedy, yet Pummelcrush is a torturer. “Roll on the floor, jump up and down, act like a horse. And without hesitation, they did as they were told,” we are told on 104. Later, as Milo attempts to expose his plan on parent’s night, we get "'Don’t you dare challenge me, woman,'" (139) and “‘Shut up…'Put on the mouth straps before I do something I regret!'" (144). Moreover, Grant is stapling his politics from his sleeve onto this well-trodden plot, as each chapter begins with an epigraph by famous thinkers, including Simone Weill, and:

p12 "All the sacred rights of humanity are violated by insisting on blind obedience." - Mary Wollstonecraft.

p171 "The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." - Karl Marx.

So, the book tells us a lot. TELLS. It especially is explicit about one of the things I hold dear about middle grade, which that it sees its characters. "Milo had never met an adult that talked to him like a real person," (49). But how well it shows that requires the reader to bring a lot to this book.