bookishlyhappy's review against another edition
3.0
I think 8-9 year olds will be so into this! Plenty of humor and action, along with musings about artificial intelligence.
b_jud's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nicolelynnreads's review against another edition
4.0
Initial thoughts: I enjoyed this one a lot. The characters are quirky but true to themselves & I loved seeing how Co & his friends reacted to their world and their mission. The ending was my absolute favorite and this really ended up being a heartwarming story (even though some things freaked me out when it came to the AI the company was developing [but no spoilers on that promise!]). Was worth the read!
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Review to come!
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Review to come!
stubbornbones's review against another edition
5.0
This is exactly the kind of anti-authoritarian, never-trust-the-corporations-that-claim-to-own-you sci-fi I want every kid to read. Without bashing the entire existence of AI and advanced technology, Van Eekhout smartly interrogates its dark side and the antidotes thereto. This book gave me more adventure, introspection, and laughs than I even expected, and the narration's "robot-y" tone makes it accessible to younger/more reluctant readers without seeming condescending or boring. I never thought I would root for a talking trash can so hard.
kylielovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
This book was so cute! I wasn't sure if I would like it at the beginning.
I absolutely loved the characters. They were all so dynamic and fun. I loved the little lessons snuck in there that a robot would want to or feel like it had to explain.
There was a lot of humor in it and I found myself laughing out loud several times.
As an adult, I still really enjoyed this middle grade book, so if you are an adult looking for something quick and fun, this is the book for you!
This book was so cute! I wasn't sure if I would like it at the beginning.
I absolutely loved the characters. They were all so dynamic and fun. I loved the little lessons snuck in there that a robot would want to or feel like it had to explain.
There was a lot of humor in it and I found myself laughing out loud several times.
As an adult, I still really enjoyed this middle grade book, so if you are an adult looking for something quick and fun, this is the book for you!
tiffani_reads's review
5.0
This was so good! I sat down to read a bit of this book and ended up finishing the whole book in one sitting.
librarypatronus's review against another edition
5.0
I’m apparently on a kick of robot adventure books - first Tin, then The Last Human and finally this one. This was maybe the best of the bunch, and it’s claim that it’s for The Wild Robot fans was perfect. This was cute and funny, with a sweet and quirky cast of characters.
timnuoa's review
5.0
What a fresh, unique, and utterly charming book. It handles some seriously heavy stuff with a deft touch, taking on themes of freedom, autonomy, obedience, purpose, and a few other things I don't want to spoil. The pacing is strong, the story is exciting, and it quickly establishes a great group of characters with a really fun dynamic.
The plot gets moved along at several points by some very convenient happenstance, and the book does stray into didactic territory in a handful of spots, but it's so good on balance that I wasn't bothered at all.
This is exactly what I'm looking for from a middle grades book: it has real substance without sacrificing an ounce of fun, tackles big issues in a way that will be both relatable to kids and push their thinking, and made me laugh out loud numerous times.
I'm excited to add it to my (6th grade) classroom shelf, and I'm already trying to think through how to build a unit around reading it aloud. Read it!
The plot gets moved along at several points by some very convenient happenstance, and the book does stray into didactic territory in a handful of spots, but it's so good on balance that I wasn't bothered at all.
This is exactly what I'm looking for from a middle grades book: it has real substance without sacrificing an ounce of fun, tackles big issues in a way that will be both relatable to kids and push their thinking, and made me laugh out loud numerous times.
I'm excited to add it to my (6th grade) classroom shelf, and I'm already trying to think through how to build a unit around reading it aloud. Read it!
nuevecuervos's review
5.0
Okay first, Greg Van Eekhout is an amazing human and I adore him. Mainly because you may recall that Kid Younger and I read his Voyage of the Dogs together, and that it made such an impact on my child that she insisted on cosplaying as Champion (the lead dog in the story) for Halloween that year. We sent some fanmail to him about it, and he was so excited in his response, that my kid was over the MOON for weeks about it. In his recent virtual signing at my local friendly indie bookstore, Mysterious Galaxy, I requested that my books be signed to my kid, and he DREW A CHAMPION UNDER HIS SIGNATURE FOR HER COPY OF COG. Needless to say, she quite literally screamed and fell over when she saw it. What a guy, my dudes. This child is SO STOKED. Anyway. Thank you, Greg, and we'll be loyal fans for pretty much ever at this point.
Then I stole it and read it first, HA. *cough* I mean, I read it while she was busy with her grandparents, and it wasn't nefarious at all. But! Now I kinda wish we'd read it together. It's less gut-wrenching than Voyage of the Dogs, so I'm not worried :D but it's just so sweetly put together, and such a fantastic little story about robots and roboticists (and a primer on robot autonomy and the rights of sentient beings), and I'm glad to have it. Recommended for your own little robots, but make sure to read over their shoulders, as you too will find it extremely charming.
Then I stole it and read it first, HA. *cough* I mean, I read it while she was busy with her grandparents, and it wasn't nefarious at all. But! Now I kinda wish we'd read it together. It's less gut-wrenching than Voyage of the Dogs, so I'm not worried :D but it's just so sweetly put together, and such a fantastic little story about robots and roboticists (and a primer on robot autonomy and the rights of sentient beings), and I'm glad to have it. Recommended for your own little robots, but make sure to read over their shoulders, as you too will find it extremely charming.
aconant's review against another edition
4.0
Stumbled upon this very fun science fiction book.
Here are my notes while reading.
Reading is a bit choppy because of the robotic text but I have a good feeling about this.
Very cute and unexpected . Really enjoying it.
I absolutely love books that take a abstractish topic like sentient beings (what does it mean to be human) and let kids dig into them. What a great catalyst for conversation. There is no right answer just full in real debate and better yet let’s apply these to other situations in life.
The exchange with the police officer about being “real” is priceless and totally hits it in the money. Real or not real? So fun!
Quote “ I find it interesting how each raindrop, each single, tiny blob of water, joins in a chorus of billions to form a night roar”. Great message. Great foreshadowing.
This will be a highly recommended book for me this year.
Here are my notes while reading.
Reading is a bit choppy because of the robotic text but I have a good feeling about this.
Very cute and unexpected . Really enjoying it.
I absolutely love books that take a abstractish topic like sentient beings (what does it mean to be human) and let kids dig into them. What a great catalyst for conversation. There is no right answer just full in real debate and better yet let’s apply these to other situations in life.
The exchange with the police officer about being “real” is priceless and totally hits it in the money. Real or not real? So fun!
Quote “ I find it interesting how each raindrop, each single, tiny blob of water, joins in a chorus of billions to form a night roar”. Great message. Great foreshadowing.
This will be a highly recommended book for me this year.