From bestselling author Natalie Standiford, an amazing, touching story of two friends navigating the dark waters of their senior year.New to town, ...
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Jan 17, 2011
oliviasbooks
rated it: 
"If you'd only let me come by myself, none of this would have happened. Having you around makes everything worse.'
She buried her head under her pillow. 'Stop it! You're so cold! You're heartless, you little robot!' The pillow muffled her words, but they still stung.
'I feel things,' I said. 'I'm not a robot!' I stamped my foot and screamed. Then I burst into tears. I touched the wet little drops and held them toward her. 'See, I'm not a robot. This is proof."
Beat More...
She buried her head under her pillow. 'Stop it! You're so cold! You're heartless, you little robot!' The pillow muffled her words, but they still stung.
'I feel things,' I said. 'I'm not a robot!' I stamped my foot and screamed. Then I burst into tears. I touched the wet little drops and held them toward her. 'See, I'm not a robot. This is proof."
Beat More...
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Jul 14, 2011
Lux
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How to Say Goodbye in Robot is told with an incredibly strong voice and continuously shows little glimmers of hope, before quickly enclosing them into the darkness once again. This book is like nothing else I’ve ever read.
All of the characters were awesomely written. The girls at school, Bea’s parents – they were all believable. I loved the Night Lights (Myrna was my favourite). There’s something about these characters that just got me. When they were mean, I was still interested. When More...
All of the characters were awesomely written. The girls at school, Bea’s parents – they were all believable. I loved the Night Lights (Myrna was my favourite). There’s something about these characters that just got me. When they were mean, I was still interested. When More...
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Sep 08, 2010
Annalisa
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How to Say Goodbye in Robot starts with a strong voice and weaves into a complicated relationship that was so real it broke my heart. I got why Bea fell into this co-dependency. You have a closed-off boy who shuns everyone else and all of a sudden he wants to be your friend. Somehow that makes you special or really nice or cool or something than stands out from the masses. No matter how un-friend-worthy said boy turns out to be, you would do anything to hold up his volatile world and emotions an
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Nov 28, 2011
joє
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I finished reading the last page.
Closed the book.
Got mad & felt sad. Then got mad for feeling sad.
Bea (Robot Girl) & Jonah (Ghost Boy) both were sweet, quirky (in a good way), innocent & naïve, being the way they were. Weaving stories, giving imaginary places names, meaningless things meaning, making the whole story cozy & colorful. Which is why I wanted to read it in the first place. The book even has a few colored pages (black, pink, blue), which makes it stand out even More...
Closed the book.
Got mad & felt sad. Then got mad for feeling sad.
Bea (Robot Girl) & Jonah (Ghost Boy) both were sweet, quirky (in a good way), innocent & naïve, being the way they were. Weaving stories, giving imaginary places names, meaningless things meaning, making the whole story cozy & colorful. Which is why I wanted to read it in the first place. The book even has a few colored pages (black, pink, blue), which makes it stand out even More...
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Oct 30, 2010
Emma
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Icelandic hairdressers are the happiest people in the world. Unfortunately for Beatrice Szabo, no one knows their secret. And Bea isn't even a hairdresser, let alone living in Iceland in How to Say Goodbye in Robot (2009) by Natalie Standiford.
Bea is used to moving a lot thanks to her father's professional wanderlust. But moving constantly is pretty easy once you stop getting attached to things like houses and gerbils. Finding herself in the familiar position of new girl in town (Bal More...
Bea is used to moving a lot thanks to her father's professional wanderlust. But moving constantly is pretty easy once you stop getting attached to things like houses and gerbils. Finding herself in the familiar position of new girl in town (Bal More...
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Oct 11, 2010
Erica -
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Jan 06, 2012
Debbie
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This is my first favorite new read of 2012.
Beatrice has just moved with her parents to Baltimore, where her father will be a professor at Johns Hopkins, her mother will stay home and act more and more oddly, and Bea will attend a private school with only 40 students in her senior class. Thanks to alphabetical chance, Bea Szabo is seated next to Jonah Tate, the boy that her classmates treat like a ghost. Bea tries to be friendly to him, and Jonah introduces her to a late-night call-in More...
Beatrice has just moved with her parents to Baltimore, where her father will be a professor at Johns Hopkins, her mother will stay home and act more and more oddly, and Bea will attend a private school with only 40 students in her senior class. Thanks to alphabetical chance, Bea Szabo is seated next to Jonah Tate, the boy that her classmates treat like a ghost. Bea tries to be friendly to him, and Jonah introduces her to a late-night call-in More...
Dec 02, 2011
Sherry
rated it:
Morality, let's talk about it:
I know it's probably a double-standard with the whole language thing and all. On principle bad language is never a good thing. And maybe a sign of lack of imagination, bad form?? I do, however, feel that in some cases, to make a character/circumstance believable, it's sometimes needed. This book would be the exception. For me. The language didn't feel gratuitous or forced. Which I love. There was also some under-age drinking going on. Which I do More...
I know it's probably a double-standard with the whole language thing and all. On principle bad language is never a good thing. And maybe a sign of lack of imagination, bad form?? I do, however, feel that in some cases, to make a character/circumstance believable, it's sometimes needed. This book would be the exception. For me. The language didn't feel gratuitous or forced. Which I love. There was also some under-age drinking going on. Which I do More...
Aug 22, 2011
Christen
rated it:
It's not romance, exactly -- but it's definitely love." Beatrice, or Robot Girl, knows a thing or two about detachment. Without roots or friends, she grew up always moving from town to town with her parents. Now it's senior year of high school and she's starting from scratch again in Baltimore, Maryland, resigned to coast through the year without growing too fond of people and places she'll just have to say goodbye to in June. Then she meets Jonah the Ghost Boy, the one whose classmates
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Aug 05, 2011
Sara
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How to Say Goodbye in Robot is a contemporary young adult novel about a pair of oddball high schoolers. Beatrice moves to a new town and meets an outcast named Jacob who has been called Ghost boy by his classmates for years because of his strange behavior. They share a love for oddball late night radio and although are never involved romantically have a link and a true friendship that is unusual. Beatrice frequently has to decide between living a normal teen existence and her strange friend Jaco
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Jun 26, 2011
Minli
rated it: 
Blah. You'd think by the clever title and bright pink cover, it'd be about a geeky computer engineering girl who moonlights as a superhero. Actually, there's nothing geeky about this, the only "robot" in this book is the Robot nickname Beatrice's mom gives her by being an emotionless piece of scrap metal.
Setting up your protagonist to be a robot almost automatically means they're going to be hard to relate to. I understand Beatrice's constant moves because of her dad's job More...
Setting up your protagonist to be a robot almost automatically means they're going to be hard to relate to. I understand Beatrice's constant moves because of her dad's job More...
Jun 19, 2011
Emma
rated it:
One of my favorite things about this book was the fact that, while it was about a teenage boy and a teenage girl, it wasn't about dating. It was about friendship; namely, those flash-in-the-pan friendships that you know you'll remember for years after they end. In this way, it reminded me a little of Sara Zarr's Sweethearts.
I have to hand it to Natalie Standiford for her beautiful prose and the delicate way in which she handled Bea's relationship with Jonah. It was equally beautiful More...
I have to hand it to Natalie Standiford for her beautiful prose and the delicate way in which she handled Bea's relationship with Jonah. It was equally beautiful More...
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Mar 12, 2011
Elain
rated it:
Let's be honest around here - I was really not the type to cry right after a quiz with a boring teacher who doesn't really talk. I was the type that finishes the quiz early and reads a book ; but, apparently, I didn't know I was the type who'd do BOTH at the same time.
Tears ran down my cheeks once I scoured the last paragraph thoroughly, my eyes scanning it over and over again as a sign of deep admiration and inspiration for this writer. A book never made me cry, sob, or even heart More...
Tears ran down my cheeks once I scoured the last paragraph thoroughly, my eyes scanning it over and over again as a sign of deep admiration and inspiration for this writer. A book never made me cry, sob, or even heart More...
Aug 16, 2010
Books101
rated it:
Honestly I was just browsing the NEW BOOKS in the young adult section at the library and came across this book. I have heard nothing about the book itself or the author. Usually, I don't stand a chance with books unknown to me but following my instincts I checked it out.
While, reading I was sure this was a two star book, with the flat plot and undeveloped characters, and unusual situations it just seemed that way. But, soon it all turned upside down. There was certainly an invisible More...
While, reading I was sure this was a two star book, with the flat plot and undeveloped characters, and unusual situations it just seemed that way. But, soon it all turned upside down. There was certainly an invisible More...
Aug 09, 2010
Judy
rated it:
There are certain books that you read over a long period of time. You can easily put it down, then return to it with the story fresh in your mind. It doesn’t mean that the book is not good or that the story isn’t memorable, just that you feel as if you could put it aside and it will be there waiting for you patiently. “How To Say Goodbye in Robot” by Natalie Standiford is not one of those books.
I have a list of books that are on my “to-read” list and I picked up this book just this m More...
I have a list of books that are on my “to-read” list and I picked up this book just this m More...
Aug 06, 2010
K
rated it:
It’s a sweet story with engaging characters to boot.
She considers him to be her favorite person. He fiercely does not want to share her with anyone. Together, they’re in their own world.
Beatrice is not a run of the mill “weird girl.” She’s Vada Sultenfuss cuddling up to the pumpkin stain on the floor odd. Once I saw that, the whole book took on a kind of My Girl slant. Jonah wasn’t Thomas J., though; he was the male version of Vada. The lonely Night Lighters became fello More...
She considers him to be her favorite person. He fiercely does not want to share her with anyone. Together, they’re in their own world.
Beatrice is not a run of the mill “weird girl.” She’s Vada Sultenfuss cuddling up to the pumpkin stain on the floor odd. Once I saw that, the whole book took on a kind of My Girl slant. Jonah wasn’t Thomas J., though; he was the male version of Vada. The lonely Night Lighters became fello More...
Jun 07, 2010
Bunker
rated it:
Bea's family has just moved from Ithaca, NY to Baltimore, MD for her senior year of high school because of her father's professional wanderlust. Unable to cope with the most recent move, Bea's mother begins a descent into unstabledome that begins to break apart their family. On several occassions, she lashes out at Bea, calling her a robot for not showing an outward emotional reaction to minutiae, such as the death of a neighbor's gerbil. Not expecting to form any deep emotional ties to people i
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Apr 28, 2010
Books and Literature for Teens
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First off-to set people strait-this book is not about robots or anything sci-fi; it’s about love but not rmance because Bea and Jonah are good friends. (If you think Bea and Jonah shared a romantic relationship then you’re probably like the rest of Canton High.) How to Say Goodbye in Robot is the bleak story of one unique friendship, a late night talk show, and too many goodbyes.
Bea and Jonah are different. Bea is the “stone child” who is slightly depressed about her parents and is tired of adju More...
Bea and Jonah are different. Bea is the “stone child” who is slightly depressed about her parents and is tired of adju More...
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Feb 10, 2010
Anne
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When new student Bea becomes friends with school outcast Jonas AKA "ghostboy" she has no idea what she's getting herself into. Jonas is by turns fun and different but then moody and distant. She can't really figure him out but she also can't stay away from him.
This book was OK but not really my favorite. Although we are told that Bea and Jonas have many great times together, you don't really get to see it. What I saw was a grumpy, manipulative boy who didn't really appr More...
This book was OK but not really my favorite. Although we are told that Bea and Jonas have many great times together, you don't really get to see it. What I saw was a grumpy, manipulative boy who didn't really appr More...
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Feb 01, 2010
Brigita
rated it:
When I started reading the book I really wanted to like it because I thought Bea was a quirky little character. Unfortunately, I didn't like the story as much as I'd hoped. (I'd give it 2.5 stars if possible)
The main reason for that is that I didn't really understand the relationship between Jonah and Bea, I didn't see what pulled them together - for example I didn't even understand why she would listen to the radio show the least popular and the weirdest guy in school suggested she More...
The main reason for that is that I didn't really understand the relationship between Jonah and Bea, I didn't see what pulled them together - for example I didn't even understand why she would listen to the radio show the least popular and the weirdest guy in school suggested she More...
Dec 08, 2009
Aaron
rated it:
Beatrice Szabo has lived her life moving from one location to the next. Her father, a successful biology professor, has been following his career from college campus to campus with the hopes of moving up in prestige. He has dragged his family along for the ride.
It is Bea's senior year, and they are now settling into Baltimore so he will be able to work at John Hopkins University. Because of all the moving, she has taught herself not to get to close to friends because she is only goin More...
It is Bea's senior year, and they are now settling into Baltimore so he will be able to work at John Hopkins University. Because of all the moving, she has taught herself not to get to close to friends because she is only goin More...
Nov 22, 2009
Sophie
rated it:
We meet the protagonist, Bea, as she moves into yet another new school and is quickly introduced to Jonah, who through a cruel trick in school got the nickname, Ghost Boy. This fascinates Bea, who refers to our own emotional state in robot references.
Soon we find out that Bea and Jonah have many more things in common, one of which is dealing with broken family histories. In their last year of high school, they bond and cope with their family and school issues by listening and occasio More...
Soon we find out that Bea and Jonah have many more things in common, one of which is dealing with broken family histories. In their last year of high school, they bond and cope with their family and school issues by listening and occasio More...
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Oct 18, 2009
Ann
rated it:
Ages 12+ (some f-words, but not much else)
Alas, alack and woe! Another book done a great disservice by its pink cover. This is more along the lines of a Looking For Alaska than a chick lit. Real and funny and tragic, too. I had to stop several times and read passages aloud to my boyfriend.
"Are these the fashions of the future?" I asked.
Tita shook her head. "We bought these here in your time thread. At the salvation army. We couldn't get away with 2 More...
Alas, alack and woe! Another book done a great disservice by its pink cover. This is more along the lines of a Looking For Alaska than a chick lit. Real and funny and tragic, too. I had to stop several times and read passages aloud to my boyfriend.
"Are these the fashions of the future?" I asked.
Tita shook her head. "We bought these here in your time thread. At the salvation army. We couldn't get away with 2 More...
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Sep 27, 2009
Rachael
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Bea is not a stranger to moving, and consequently, she’s given up on lasting friendships. Since her latest move to Baltimore, Bea has figured she’ll probably end up buddies with some random but overly friendly girl at her new school. Instead, Bea finds herself sitting next to Jonah, a withdrawn and sullen boy who hasn’t made a friend since the third grade, and somehow their less than cordial introduction morphs into something in the realm of friendship. And they certainly make an interesting duo
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Jul 19, 2009
Maggie
rated it:
The best favor I can do to everyone considering reading this book is to tell them that it's not a YA romance. Once you get that out of the way, you can enjoy this book for what it is: a quirky, intelligent YA novel about two lost teens finding their way back to normalcy -- or not.
While the two main characters -- nicknamed "Ghost Boy" and "Robot Girl" -- in this book are earnestly 3D, the real star of this novel is the late night radio program that both of them li More...
While the two main characters -- nicknamed "Ghost Boy" and "Robot Girl" -- in this book are earnestly 3D, the real star of this novel is the late night radio program that both of them li More...
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Feb 05, 2012
Misskuri
rated it:
This book was so good. I picked it up not knowing anything about it, because I liked the title and because the first chapter contains a gerbil named Geobbels.
In hindsight, that first chapter really sets the tone for the novel; it's weird in a way that you know it's supposed to be weird but also in a way that the weirdness just seems effortless. The blatant no-romance policy this novel had was something I would love to see more commonly. There are so many different kinds of important r More...
In hindsight, that first chapter really sets the tone for the novel; it's weird in a way that you know it's supposed to be weird but also in a way that the weirdness just seems effortless. The blatant no-romance policy this novel had was something I would love to see more commonly. There are so many different kinds of important r More...
Nov 22, 2011
Ashe
rated it:
I had a friend like Jonah. I really related to this book and it surprises me to read the reviews from people who don't and dislike Jonah or Bea. I thought "these types of relationships" (and what is that? I have no idea.) were more common... anyway... I loved this book so much that I'm putting it on m favorites shelf, reserved for things that I would reread at some point, but likely never will.
I thought the writing was great. The two leads were (to me) very likable and unlike More...
I thought the writing was great. The two leads were (to me) very likable and unlike More...
Aug 28, 2011
Pam
rated it:
Labeled "Robot Girl" by her recently emotionally distant mother, Bea is trying to cope with a new town and new school all in her senior year while her mom is flaking out and her self-absorbed dad is preoccupied as always with his academic position. It's no surprise that she feels drawn to Jonah, labeled "Ghost Boy" by classmates that his has known since preschool. Bea continues to be drawn to Jonah despite her classmates attempts to draw her to them and their more typical s
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Feb 07, 2011
Refreshing and different sums up my thoughts on How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford. However, I do have a lot more to say on this book because I absolutely loved it.
It’s not very often in the YA world I come across a book where the two characters of opposite sex are just friends and they stay that way. I loved Jonah and Bea’s relationship and I loved how it was so simple but still pretty complicated. They weren’t romantically involved and it just made their friendship that More...
It’s not very often in the YA world I come across a book where the two characters of opposite sex are just friends and they stay that way. I loved Jonah and Bea’s relationship and I loved how it was so simple but still pretty complicated. They weren’t romantically involved and it just made their friendship that More...
Feb 19, 2010
Ashley
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