What do you think?
Rate this book
Nick Perfect – Bruder per Post
Spione tragen keine Schlapphüte!
»Ich habe einen neuen Bruder. – Sein Name ist Nick. – Er kam vor sechs Wochen mit der Post. – Damit fing der Ärger an.«
Bens super genialer Computerfreak-Vater bekommt zwar ständig lauter cooles Zeug geschickt, aber als Ben das neueste Paket öffnet, ist selbst er platt. So etwas hat die Welt wirklich noch nicht gesehen: ein bionisch geformtes, technisches Wesen, das ausschaut wie ein Junge! Ziemlich geniale Sache, denkt Ben zuerst, aber dann flippt sein neuer Bruder aus, weil er sich einen Virus eingefangen hat und finstere Typen tauchen plötzlich aus dem Nichts auf. Und jetzt muss Ben beweisen, dass er mindestens so genial ist wie sein Vater und so perfekt wie sein neuer Bruder!
»Ich habe einen neuen Bruder. – Sein Name ist Nick. – Er kam vor sechs Wochen mit der Post. – Damit fing der Ärger an.«
Bens super genialer Computerfreak-Vater bekommt zwar ständig lauter cooles Zeug geschickt, aber als Ben das neueste Paket öffnet, ist selbst er platt. So etwas hat die Welt wirklich noch nicht gesehen: ein bionisch geformtes, technisches Wesen, das ausschaut wie ein Junge! Ziemlich geniale Sache, denkt Ben zuerst, aber dann flippt sein neuer Bruder aus, weil er sich einen Virus eingefangen hat und finstere Typen tauchen plötzlich aus dem Nichts auf. Und jetzt muss Ben beweisen, dass er mindestens so genial ist wie sein Vater und so perfekt wie sein neuer Bruder!
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
11 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 12, 2020
The idea of robots being liked by humans and taking the place of a loved one has never appealed to me. Although I do like the books message that a brother (or family member) is simply someone who truly cares for you. (Or at least that's what I thought the book was trying to say.)
I may edit this review later.
I may edit this review later.
November 1, 2012
Mum: So, how many stars?
LRN: Awesome, car chase scene, fight scene, even a scene where the boy sleeps in his locker. This book is like the superfood of books. Five stars.
Mum: You were just bugging me today about wanting a brother, and I said I'd get you a brother from a box, but I'm not having anything other than robot-kids. How does it work out for the kid here? What's his name?
LRN: Matt is the kid; Norman's the robot.
Mum: Where does Norman come from?
LRN: London. No, wait, England. Somewhere Frenchy.
Mum: Ha. The English might not like that characterization. I meant, did the robot-brother come from his parents or something?
LRN: Norman was made by Matt's dad and uncle. They made two, and the other one is names Jean-Pierre Junior, after the uncle.
Mum: How does Matt feel about the robot brother at first?
LRN: Kinda weird. Kinda like a chicken with a bunch of corn.
Mum: ???
LRN: It means he's attracted to the new brother.
Mum: Anything else?
LRN: Awesome funny part: So, Norman's singing this Frenchy song. [I turn over the keyboard to LRN] It's like Aloutte, aloutte, je plumarai.... and then Matt starts singing too, and when he's done, Matt asks what the heck it means, Norman responds like, "It is a beautiful song about plucking feathers from a bird and preparing for roasting." And then Matt goes crazy. I mean it. Crrrrraaaaaaaazzzzzyyyyyy.
Mum: Haha, excellent. That is funny. Who would you recommend this to?
LRN: My friend Luke, also, maybe Mira, Aiden's sister.
LRN: Awesome, car chase scene, fight scene, even a scene where the boy sleeps in his locker. This book is like the superfood of books. Five stars.
Mum: You were just bugging me today about wanting a brother, and I said I'd get you a brother from a box, but I'm not having anything other than robot-kids. How does it work out for the kid here? What's his name?
LRN: Matt is the kid; Norman's the robot.
Mum: Where does Norman come from?
LRN: London. No, wait, England. Somewhere Frenchy.
Mum: Ha. The English might not like that characterization. I meant, did the robot-brother come from his parents or something?
LRN: Norman was made by Matt's dad and uncle. They made two, and the other one is names Jean-Pierre Junior, after the uncle.
Mum: How does Matt feel about the robot brother at first?
LRN: Kinda weird. Kinda like a chicken with a bunch of corn.
Mum: ???
LRN: It means he's attracted to the new brother.
Mum: Anything else?
LRN: Awesome funny part: So, Norman's singing this Frenchy song. [I turn over the keyboard to LRN] It's like Aloutte, aloutte, je plumarai.... and then Matt starts singing too, and when he's done, Matt asks what the heck it means, Norman responds like, "It is a beautiful song about plucking feathers from a bird and preparing for roasting." And then Matt goes crazy. I mean it. Crrrrraaaaaaaazzzzzyyyyyy.
Mum: Haha, excellent. That is funny. Who would you recommend this to?
LRN: My friend Luke, also, maybe Mira, Aiden's sister.
September 12, 2012
This was a pretty good read-aloud with my 9 year old book. It had some really funny moments and some touching ones as well. Super big holes in the plot - but I don't think my intended audience member noticed/cared.
I will keep this one in mind for those "must read a science fiction book for my book bingo assignment" kids.
I will keep this one in mind for those "must read a science fiction book for my book bingo assignment" kids.
May 25, 2017
Sixth-grader Matt Rambeau finds out what it is like to have a brother when his father a computer genius creates a robot kid that goes to school with Matt shares his feelings and ideas, plays,does chores fights for his life when chased by spies and becomes a part of the family.
October 13, 2023
I only read this because I don’t have a library card yet and my daughter recommended it to me. I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed it much even when I was the age this book is geared to. But it’s okay and brought me one book closer to my goal for the year.
June 16, 2017
This is another book we read for the tween book club. This is a cute story about a family who receives a robot brother! If you have a 9-12 year old, I think they would really like this book.
September 4, 2018
This was such a fun book about inventing, artificial intelligence and espionage! Funny, charming, and made me wish I had a robot brother, too.
May 29, 2019
Brother from a box was a funny story
February 27, 2021
A fun sci-fi mystery story in which the narrator is funny and relatable. Strong family themes.
June 4, 2021
Interesting story. Certainly not what I was expecting !
April 14, 2015
This was an interesting book to read. For the most part, I enjoyed it but it was a little too unreal for me at times. Norman, the robot, shows up at Matthew's house and becomes his robotic sibling. I enjoyed the aspect of a robot trying to fit in to a normal family, and eventually becoming one of them.
This book would be great for students grades 5-6 to read independently. I would especially recommend this book to boys who enjoy action-packed stories that involve spies and artificial intelligence. This story also hits heavily on the aspect of brotherhood and how important it is. Even though Matthew's brother is a robot, he develops an unbreakable bond with him that it's almost like Normal is a human boy. I think girls will also enjoy this book because it's humorous and fun to read, but more boys will connect with it.
This book would also be a good example if the students were learning about literary elements, especially plot. For example, Matthew's mother at first is not supportive of Norman and doesn't particularly like him. Eventually, we find out that this has to do with the fact that Matthew's mother lost a son years before and Norman strangely reminds her of him. We realize that she doesn't really hate him, she just is reminded of her son she lost. This is an element of plot that some students might not like very much, which is why this book is a little bit more for a mature audience. I believe this is a good aspect of plot development to point out and discuss with the students.
This book would be great for students grades 5-6 to read independently. I would especially recommend this book to boys who enjoy action-packed stories that involve spies and artificial intelligence. This story also hits heavily on the aspect of brotherhood and how important it is. Even though Matthew's brother is a robot, he develops an unbreakable bond with him that it's almost like Normal is a human boy. I think girls will also enjoy this book because it's humorous and fun to read, but more boys will connect with it.
This book would also be a good example if the students were learning about literary elements, especially plot. For example, Matthew's mother at first is not supportive of Norman and doesn't particularly like him. Eventually, we find out that this has to do with the fact that Matthew's mother lost a son years before and Norman strangely reminds her of him. We realize that she doesn't really hate him, she just is reminded of her son she lost. This is an element of plot that some students might not like very much, which is why this book is a little bit more for a mature audience. I believe this is a good aspect of plot development to point out and discuss with the students.
July 4, 2012
Matthew Rambeau is a normal enough middle school boy, an only child, living with his parents in an apartment in New York City. One day when he gets home from school his younger "brother" is delivered in a crate, and no this isn't some syfy futuristic story where all children are delivered in a box, but Matthews dad and uncle have invented a one of a kind robot (well, technically it's a artificial, genetically enhanced, cybernetically integrated bionically modified life form) that can think and learn and even grow (well just hair and finger nails).
Matthew's dad wants to raise Norman so he can improve upon the design and see how well Norman can interact with people without said people knowing what, not who, they're interacting with. The story's more about how Matthew and his mom react and interact with Norman, as well as how Matthew's friends and schoolmates interact with him as well. The first complication arises when Matthew's mom rejects any thing to do with Norman. It turns out that Matthew wasn't actually an only child, just the only remaining child and Matthew's mom thinks that Norman looks too much like Lucien (the child who died). Things become further complicated when it looks like someone may be out to steal Norman in order to replicate him. In order to see if Norman wins Mom's heart and escapes the bad guys...you'll have to pick it up, and read the story.
Matthew's dad wants to raise Norman so he can improve upon the design and see how well Norman can interact with people without said people knowing what, not who, they're interacting with. The story's more about how Matthew and his mom react and interact with Norman, as well as how Matthew's friends and schoolmates interact with him as well. The first complication arises when Matthew's mom rejects any thing to do with Norman. It turns out that Matthew wasn't actually an only child, just the only remaining child and Matthew's mom thinks that Norman looks too much like Lucien (the child who died). Things become further complicated when it looks like someone may be out to steal Norman in order to replicate him. In order to see if Norman wins Mom's heart and escapes the bad guys...you'll have to pick it up, and read the story.
August 3, 2012
The notion of children made from inanimate objects is nothing new; Collodi’s famous creation was only a woodenheaded boy, after all. But the topic here is explored from many different angles. The entrance into the Rambeau family of an android named Norman is deeply unsettling for everyone involved from the angry mother who wasn’t warned of his appearance to the excited “real” brother who becomes a touch ambivalent about the robot’s perfect behavior in school (no one likes a show-off, especially when they’re family).
Kuhlman’s little robot is also a winning creation, without the mischief, meanness or laziness of Pinocchio. But even he finds the route to being a real little boy fraught with peril. From family squabbles to international espionage, the tale of Norman’s difficult adjustment into an illogical universe is handled with flair, ease and convincing detail. This is definitely a tale for younger children but I found it entertaining, too.
Kuhlman’s little robot is also a winning creation, without the mischief, meanness or laziness of Pinocchio. But even he finds the route to being a real little boy fraught with peril. From family squabbles to international espionage, the tale of Norman’s difficult adjustment into an illogical universe is handled with flair, ease and convincing detail. This is definitely a tale for younger children but I found it entertaining, too.
March 22, 2014
Loved this. .... Matthew is a sixth grader in New York who is presented with his father's tour de force, a robot who looks so lifelike he could be his brother. Matt initially rejects the idea but then becomes intrigued. The robot seems to be able to take on a few human traits and learn from his companions and environment - and of course is very clever, Too clever. He becomes popular at school despite his strange way of talking - explained away by saying he is from France, where Matt's uncle lives .... With the robot Norman's cousin, Jean Pierre Jnr...Within the adventures , including an attempted sabotage of the 2 robots, and a kidnapping and attempted kidnapping, car chase, tv appearance, issues of identity, family, grief, loss, humanity, attachment, robot rights are explored. With boy-style humour that is not overdone.....
There is a clue there could be more books but so far can't find anything...... This author appears to have written one- offs up till now.
There is a clue there could be more books but so far can't find anything...... This author appears to have written one- offs up till now.
May 9, 2013
Matt comes home one day to find a big box. Matt decides to open it and inside is his new brother, a robot that he names Norman. At first, there is some adjusting, but once everyone gets to know the fun-loving Norman, he is part of the family. The only downfall? Norman is a highly evolved, technologically advanced computer whose software is wanted badly. By who? Read and find out!
This book was really cute with a touch of Sci-Fi, but not too "techie" and a touch of humor and adventure. I would recommend this book to 3rd-5th graders. Boys who are reluctant readers would probably like this book, the pacing is med.-fast and there are a lot of things mentioned in this book that kids would totally get!
This book was really cute with a touch of Sci-Fi, but not too "techie" and a touch of humor and adventure. I would recommend this book to 3rd-5th graders. Boys who are reluctant readers would probably like this book, the pacing is med.-fast and there are a lot of things mentioned in this book that kids would totally get!
August 6, 2013
12 year old Matt arrives home from school one day to find the super waiting outside his apartment door with a large, heavy packing crate. Inside the box is an artificial, genetically enhanced, cybernetically integrated, bionically modified life-form. In other words, a robot brother designed by his tech savvy father and uncle. Matt names him Norman and the escapade begins to see if Norman will be able to pass for human. If he can live for a year without anyone detecting that he is mechanical, his father and uncle plan to go into business. Nothing goes quite the way anyone imagines.
Humorous and entertaining in parts, ludicrous and disturbing in others, this novel may appeal to younger reluctant readers but lacks widespread appeal. For the 6th grade and under crowd.
Humorous and entertaining in parts, ludicrous and disturbing in others, this novel may appeal to younger reluctant readers but lacks widespread appeal. For the 6th grade and under crowd.
January 4, 2015
This is a lot of fun and would be a great read-aloud to inspire some cross-curricular conversations about robotics and ethics for young readers. Now that "The Imitation Game" has given the Turing Test more widespread recognition beyond the computer science, robotics, cognitive psychology and science fiction communities, this would be a particularly great read to introduce this concept, as it concerns one family's attempt to see if a robot child can pass the test. It would braid well with "A.I." and "Extant," and it's a refreshingly bright, optimistic take on human-cyborg relations.
December 11, 2012
Matt and his parents have a large parcel delivered to their apartment in New York. Inside is a boy robot that his dad and uncle have been working on. Norman, the robot, is in test mode to see how it would be to live with a real family.
The mother, Connie, is against this idea at first, but Norman wears her down, to the point of being accepted. It is a nice story of maybe one day coming true.
The mother, Connie, is against this idea at first, but Norman wears her down, to the point of being accepted. It is a nice story of maybe one day coming true.
May 27, 2013
Matt’s computer genius father has a big surprise for the family. It’s a robot. It is actually a bionically modified lifeform. It sure looks human and even calls Matt his brother. Matt has to bring his new brother Norman to school with him and pretend he is normal. But Norman is a bit of an attention freak and just wants to show off. He even flirts with the girls. Matt isn’t sure what to think now. But when it seems as if some bad guys are out to steal Norman, Matt must help him.
August 31, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I like how it glosses over humanitarian issues. For example, there are several times in the book where Matt's father was treating Norman exactly as a robot, but Matt was convinced that Norman was something more. My favorite part was when Matt had to prove to Norman that they are brothers.
April 28, 2013
Fairly fast-paced tale of a boy and his new brother ... who happens to be a robot from France. Trying to get him to fit in at school provides plenty of fish-out-of-water episodes. However, the spy/kidnapping aspect seemed a little rushed, and I'm not sure I buy the resolution. But it's good enough to add to the collection; I know kids will read it.
September 17, 2013
Fast paced story, about a boy who is suddenly presented with a robot for a brother, will definitely keep the reader engaged. Hard to classify since it has elements of both adventure and mystery, with the family and school interactions adding a realistic thread to the story. I wouldn't call it science fiction since robots with artificial intelligence have been in development for years.
December 13, 2013
The story took place during Matt and Norman's 6th grade year. Matt & Norman are brother. Norman was almost kidnapped because of how high tech he is. Norman is a robot.
liked that it was about a robot.
Did not like how the ending left you hanging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2012
not my taste despite an interesting premise
September 22, 2012
Funny, sweet story of a boy and his new "brother", a French-speaking robot.
July 13, 2013
The first couple of chapters were hilarious as Norman, who is a lifelike robot, meets his new brother. Later, the story lost interest for me and was not as exciting as it tried to be.
December 27, 2013
Very cute book!
July 14, 2014
It is simple, but I considered it as a great introduction to reading novels. It is a mixture between stories of childhood, and novels of adolescence and maturity!
May 5, 2015
It's a fun read it's about a boy who gets a package and it's a robot human.he speaks with a bit of a French tone all in all it's a pretty good book
January 5, 2015
My 13 year old son hates to read but he throughly enjoyed this book and wants to read it again. This is a rare occurrence. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews