Batteries Not Included (Not Quite Human #1) by Seth McCoy - Vintage Paperback

Professor Carson has created the most fantastic of his works: an android with the appearance of a boy of thirteen. Connected to batteries, walking, talking, thinking – his metal body is covered with a skin of plastic and you would never imagine that his blonde hair is nylon... The professor calls him Chip.

To complete the experiment, Dr. Carson has enrolled Chip in Harbor College where he himself teaches science. But can Chip keep his secret?