‘This is where philosophy comes in,’ Ursula went on. ‘Philosophy is our attempt to figure out what on earth is going on, and to share our sense of wonder with one another so we don’t feel so alone and confused.'

A funny philosophical romp about a group of kids who use the power of critical thinking to take on a wicked headmaster.

Milo is thrilled to be starting at the country’s fanciest, shiniest, most prestigious school: the Secondary Training Institute for Lifelong Employment (STIFLE).

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. Milo stumbles across a bright and colourful secret garden, where he meets its joyous gardener Ursula. She helps Milo and his friends 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?

‘A dramatic adventure, with an engaging helping of philosophy on the side.’ – Sara Keating, The Irish Times

'Keeps a brisk pace.' –The New York Times

‘This book is a curious, exciting marvel … An adventure that asks the hard questions and fights the good fight; bold, brave, unusual and really makes you think!’ – Mary Esther Judy, Fallen Star Stories

‘To be able to gift your child a basic grounding in philosophy for less than a tenner is, I have to say in distinctly non-Socratic terms, mindblowing.’  –  Anne Cunningham, The Meath Chronicle

‘A thought provoking read that encourages the reader to use their mind critically and creatively.’ –  The Munster Express

‘I’ve recently been watching The Good Place with my kids, and I gotta say that there is probably not a better vehicle for philosophical contemplation than that show … until now? … Think Sophie’s World but more fun.’ –  School Library Journal

'A fantastic middle-grade read.' –  NetGalley

'The Philosophy Resistance Squad by Robert Grant is highly recommended by Neel (age 10).'  – What We Are Reading

''This was such a fun story!' – Luminous Libro

Book Guide: The Philosophy Resistance Squad.This free book guide accompanies The Philosophy Resistance Squad, an exciting philosophical romp about a wicked headmaster being taken on by a group of kids who have learned the power of critical thinking. The guide is designed to help teachers and other adults introduce philosophy to children, and also provides activities and discussion questions based on the book. We hope you enjoy creating your own Philosophy Resistance Squad: reach out to us on Instagram or Twitter and let us know, using #PhilosophyResistanceSquad

Robert Grant was born in Waterford. He has a PhD in philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, where he was an Irish Research Scholar. He has taught philosophy both at Trinity and in several other institutions. Rob is founder of the Philosophy in the Community project and a member of Philosophy Ireland, and has taught philosophy in schools, prisons, community centres and many other places. He has written and talked about this work for The Irish Times, RTÉ radio and television, BBC radio, Newstalk radio and many other places. He lives in Dublin, but is still from Waterford.