Publication Date: April 2016
SYNOPSIS: When robot Roz opens her eyes
for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island.
She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is--but she knows she
needs to survive. After battling a fierce storm and escaping a vicious bear
attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her
surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants.
As Roz
slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home -until, one
day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.
THOUGHTS: This book is so unique - a heartfelt story about a robot's adventures
with wildlife on an island. The interactions between the robot and the animals
are sad, funny, and interesting, and some action/adventure sneaks its way in
there. Plus it has a mishmash of genres –
science fiction, adventure, humor, animals – that will make most kids sure to
find some aspect of the story to latch on to.
I was so close to giving this book four stars,
but the ending just did not live up to the build-up from the rest of the story
for me. It was still excellent, and I think kids will really like it. I
chickened out for some reason on giving this book 3.5 Cartwheels, but it has
definite kid appeal.
CARTWHEEL AWARD NOMINEE?: Yes, absolutely!