LOTS OF BOTS

Having just saved the world from criminal mastermind Dr. Charles Micron (The Junkyard Bot, 2014), George Gearing is just starting an apprenticeship at TinkerTech headquarters.

It’s a particularly exciting time for George to be fulfilling his dream of working in TinkerTech’s cutting-edge robotics workshop, as the company is days away from introducing the world to the Multifunctional Ocular Device, revolutionary technology that will allow people to access information with their minds. While the bulk of the story focuses on George’s pursuit of his suspicions that Dr. Micron is back and somehow plotting to use the MOD in a second attempt at world domination, the more compelling plotline follows George’s quest to uncover information about his parents’ suspicious deaths and their involvement in the secret “Project Mercury.” This is where the heart of the story lies, but far too little time is spent with it. An additional side story in which his personal robot, Jackbot, suffers hopelessly from unrequited love is humorous at first but rapidly grows tiresome. Still, it’s an easy narrative accompanied by illustrations that provide some visual interest. Fans of the first book will uncover more of the same in the sequel. It is also well-suited for young readers looking for an accessible introduction to the science-fiction genre.

More entry-level fun for the robot-loving set.