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Robots Rule! #1
Robots Rule!: The Junkyard Bot
Worker robots keep the high-tech town of Terabyte Heights humming, but ten-year-old George Gearing is the only one who has a robot for a best friend. When his scrappy but beloved pal Jackbot is hit by a car, the whiz kid re-engineers him with fancy parts from state-of-the-art TinkerTech Laboratories. Jackbot's astounding new skills far exceed anything George--or even TinkerTech's head of robotics--could ever have imagined. Will the villainous Dr. Micron destroy the whole town to see his tech-driven dream realized? Not if George can help it . . .
195 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
27 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 2, 2015
Recommended for: grades 4-7
Book talk:
George Gearing lives in a world where robots and humans co-exist…. pretty peacefully. In George’s house there are robots who help garden, who make breakfast, and he even has a personal robot, Jackbot, who’s really more of a friend than a robot.
Having a robot can be really cool, but living in a world of robots has its downsides. For example the school fired its custodial staff and replaced them with cleaning, scolding, robots. His friend Anne’s parents are happy to leave her alone at the house for long periods of time because the house can know what room she’s in and can tutor her in math.
Then one day, Jackbot mysteriously disappears, and George and Anne begin to realize that bad things are happening….
Review
It’s a well-paced, highly serviceable middle grades read that caters to soft sci-fi interests with a dash of mystery. Some of my least experienced seventh grade readers devoured this title last year, and I can see why.
Adult writers looking for sharp middle grades reads will probably find other titles more appealing.
Book talk:
George Gearing lives in a world where robots and humans co-exist…. pretty peacefully. In George’s house there are robots who help garden, who make breakfast, and he even has a personal robot, Jackbot, who’s really more of a friend than a robot.
Having a robot can be really cool, but living in a world of robots has its downsides. For example the school fired its custodial staff and replaced them with cleaning, scolding, robots. His friend Anne’s parents are happy to leave her alone at the house for long periods of time because the house can know what room she’s in and can tutor her in math.
Then one day, Jackbot mysteriously disappears, and George and Anne begin to realize that bad things are happening….
Review
It’s a well-paced, highly serviceable middle grades read that caters to soft sci-fi interests with a dash of mystery. Some of my least experienced seventh grade readers devoured this title last year, and I can see why.
Adult writers looking for sharp middle grades reads will probably find other titles more appealing.
September 27, 2023
Great read! Very creative storyline that kept me engaged. George finds himself in the middle of a robot takeover, and he's the only one who can stop it, along with the help of his new friend Anne. There's even a cliffhanger at the end that makes me want to read the next book in the series!
July 14, 2017
I hope people don't think of this as a "robots take over the world" book, because it is clear throughout that all of the robots are under the control of the evil genius.
March 11, 2018
My son and I both enjoyed reading this one. We enjoyed the writing and the characters. And robots and autonomous homes!
We are glad this is part of a series and have already started book 2.
We are glad this is part of a series and have already started book 2.
January 10, 2019
A good book about an orphan boy who tries to find his dream job to realize that his parents' death wasn't just an ordinary car crash. ~Gus K., age 10
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November 22, 2020The best robot book ever
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April 23, 2025J FIC RICHARDS, C.J.
October 5, 2016
It was great!
August 18, 2016
Terabyte Heights is the high tech community of the future, with computers and robots doing everything from yardwork to security. Even though George, unlike most of the other students at Terabyte Heights Middle School doesn’t have the latest smart phone, tablet, or companion robot, he’s the modest neighborhood’s go-to guy for IT help. He’s always patching up their out-of-date gadgets and house-bots. His own bot, Jackbot, is a junkyard bot, pieced together from scraps and cast-off parts, but he’s George’s best friend. When a car crashes into Jackbot and nearly destroys him, George is heartbroken, but with the help of Anne, the daughter of the town’s genius founder, George is able to put Jackbot back together, better than before. With a bit of tinkering that stretches the imagination, George has discovered the secret to true artificial intelligence. But his discovery leads to some unwanted attention and suddenly every robot in town has turned on Anne and George. With humor, non-stop action, and a loveable main character, this book is sure to please even the most reluctant of readers. Fujita’s black and white illustrations have the familiar look of digital animation. The ending resolves the main story, but leaves plenty of unanswered questions to be answered by future installments in this entertaining new series.
January 12, 2017
Richards, C.J. The Junkyard Bot (Robots Rule #1) 195 pgs. Houghton Mifflin, 2014. $13.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: G
George is great with robots, he has even built his own, named Jackbot. Jackbot is really his friend, maybe his only friend. When Jackbot gets hit by a car, George meets Anne. Turns out Anne is the daughter of a man who part owns a giant tech company, the one that makes all the robots that people use in their day to day lives. When they go to the workshop at her house George is able to fix up Jackbot and with better parts, he almost seems to be thinking for himself. When Jackbot goes missing, George is determined to find him. But dark forces are at work and George finds himself facing off against the person he would least expect.
This book is a fantastic read, I felt like I was there or watching a move. Not only that but it has an appealing cover and great illustrations. This has been one of my favorite reads this year! The characters were well crafted, the world fully realized, and the plot was fast paced yet full of important tiny details. I think upper elementary students will love this book!
EL – ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2016/...
George is great with robots, he has even built his own, named Jackbot. Jackbot is really his friend, maybe his only friend. When Jackbot gets hit by a car, George meets Anne. Turns out Anne is the daughter of a man who part owns a giant tech company, the one that makes all the robots that people use in their day to day lives. When they go to the workshop at her house George is able to fix up Jackbot and with better parts, he almost seems to be thinking for himself. When Jackbot goes missing, George is determined to find him. But dark forces are at work and George finds himself facing off against the person he would least expect.
This book is a fantastic read, I felt like I was there or watching a move. Not only that but it has an appealing cover and great illustrations. This has been one of my favorite reads this year! The characters were well crafted, the world fully realized, and the plot was fast paced yet full of important tiny details. I think upper elementary students will love this book!
EL – ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2016/...
March 31, 2015
George, age 9, is a robotics whiz although his ability isn't appreciated by the uncle he lives with. Still, George happily fixes the neighbors' robotic security systems and other robot problems when they need fixing, patching up problems with discarded and/or homemade parts. All is well until his own personal robot, Jackbot, is hit by a car and destroyed. Fortunately the passenger in the car is Anne, the daughter of the town's computer magnate, and she takes George to her dad's workshop so George can fix Jackbot. With the help of state of the art parts, George turns Jackbot into a very advanced robot. And then Jackbot is kidnapped, all the robots in town go on a rampage, and it's up to George and Anne to save everyone and everything from an evil villain intent on conquering the town (and the world).
3rd grade and up, lots of white space on the pages, lots of illustrations. There is a mystery left hanging which presumably will be solved in a subsequent book but it's not going to cause any consternation among most readers.
3rd grade and up, lots of white space on the pages, lots of illustrations. There is a mystery left hanging which presumably will be solved in a subsequent book but it's not going to cause any consternation among most readers.
January 18, 2016
The book's greatest sin is its lack of originality. It literally trying to put in as much cliché as possible. Robots gone amok? Check. Child prodigy? Check. Dead parents? Check. Protagonist unpopular in school? Check. Bomb count down? Check. Been there, done that.
And the next book even sounds more cliché than this one, I'm feeling so unexcited right now.
The plot also suffers it being predictable and formulaic; offering no real surprises or excitement. It seems that the author has gotten lazy and doesn't put any real effort to flesh out the plot properly.
The prose doesn't really help. It is not terrible but like everything, it just hit standard. It just enough to carry the message across. It has no charm, humor or wit. It is nothing to be ashamed of, but coupled it to the rather unexceptional story, it didn't do anything to improve the book.
With its hackneyed plot, characters and setting, and the rather bland prose; it offers nothing to really enjoy.
And the next book even sounds more cliché than this one, I'm feeling so unexcited right now.
The plot also suffers it being predictable and formulaic; offering no real surprises or excitement. It seems that the author has gotten lazy and doesn't put any real effort to flesh out the plot properly.
The prose doesn't really help. It is not terrible but like everything, it just hit standard. It just enough to carry the message across. It has no charm, humor or wit. It is nothing to be ashamed of, but coupled it to the rather unexceptional story, it didn't do anything to improve the book.
With its hackneyed plot, characters and setting, and the rather bland prose; it offers nothing to really enjoy.
April 28, 2015
George Gearing is a gifted eleven-year-old with a love of all things robotic. In fact, robots help take care of his town, and he has a robot friend, Jackbot. When Jackbot is run over by a car, TinkerTech Enterprises, the town’s primary enterprise, offers to step up and fix Jackbot; they install state-of-the-art updates including artificial intelligence. When Jackbot is abducted, George and his friend Anne discover he is the crucial cog in a plot to take over the town. The two friends must find and defeat the menacing force. It all ends well with the town being spared, but there is a hint of more to come. This is the first volume in the upcoming “Robots Rule!” series and it is filled with all sorts of robots and futuristic elements. Robot fans will relish this book. The action, uncomplicated plot, humor and illustrations move the story along for a quick read. It will especially appeal to intermediate boys looking for adventure stories with a sci-fi component.
October 19, 2014
When I first started reading this book, I thought it was super corny, and I didn’t think I would like it at all. Thankfully, it won me over pretty quickly. Even though there are people in this story, I was constantly reminded of the movie, Robots, which I love! I also got a Meet the Robinsons vibe. (I JUST wrote a review saying how much I have a love/hate relationship with these kinds of comparisons!) There were still moment of corniness, but overall, I enjoyed it.
Since this is a short book, the reader quickly realizes that this book is a mystery. Also, it’s action-packed, with a battle for humanity. The ending leaves you knowing there will be more books in this series. I think my boys will have fun reading it a couple of years down the road.
*I was provided a review copy through Amazon Vine.
Since this is a short book, the reader quickly realizes that this book is a mystery. Also, it’s action-packed, with a battle for humanity. The ending leaves you knowing there will be more books in this series. I think my boys will have fun reading it a couple of years down the road.
*I was provided a review copy through Amazon Vine.
November 16, 2015
I really liked this book. The main character's name is George Gearing. Something I really liked about this book is that everyone's last name is something that involves robots: Anne's name is Anne Droid (android). What I did not like is that this book makes building robots look easy, and I know that because I have spent hours making a simple robot and it is not easy. It is a adventurous story so for people who like robots I would definitely recommend it. You should know that the last two books in the series are expensive.
September 29, 2014
Enjoyable, but not as exciting nor as engaging as I had hoped it would be. Pretty awesome pictures, though, which carried the story along when bits got a little dry.
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group and Netgalley for a galley to be used for honest review/ bookseller purposes.
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group and Netgalley for a galley to be used for honest review/ bookseller purposes.
June 24, 2014
Evil CEO characters challenge young George and his junkyard robot from the very beginning. A perfect choice for readers who crave high action adventures. Coincidentally, this is the third new title where the robot gets kidnapped adding to the excitement and suspense.
February 13, 2015
3.5 stars. This book started slow for me, almost a formulaic story with cheesy names, Anne Droid, but then the action ramps up with chapter 5 and I was hooked. Should make a fun, short, enjoyable read aloud with a lot of kid appeal. Ending hints at more robot adventure to come.
June 8, 2015
This is an amusing first book in the ROBOTS RULE! series, sort of the Jetsons meet I, ROBOT. Not much character development but plenty of action with hints of a past mystery. A lighthearted adventure for science fiction fans.
November 14, 2015
This is a fun middle grade read for makers interested in robots and inventing. It's the first in a series. There are three so far - I'll read them all. I have some 3rd grade and 4th grade readers who'll like them for sure
December 14, 2016
Probably a good choice for reluctant reader boys, but the plot , as many have said it's nothing new. The writing is adequate, but not much more. The art is attractive, as the first book should attract fans of Disney movies like Big Hero 6 and Meet the Robinsons.
September 5, 2016
Book #1
George Gearing likes to build and repair robots. He meets a new friend and her dad is the owner of Tinker-tech, the biggest robotics company. One day the robots start acting up and George finds himself trying to save the town
George Gearing likes to build and repair robots. He meets a new friend and her dad is the owner of Tinker-tech, the biggest robotics company. One day the robots start acting up and George finds himself trying to save the town
December 6, 2014
Really not a bad story. I read this to my 6year old and he loved it. For him it was easy to follow the plot without me getting bored. It had a plot and is the beginning of a series.
March 16, 2015
Big Hero 6 fans will love this series opener!
August 24, 2020
Robot Armageddon.
Some artwork. Amazon comics freebie. A good children's book. A young tech genius goes to battle with an evil genius.
Some artwork. Amazon comics freebie. A good children's book. A young tech genius goes to battle with an evil genius.
December 22, 2015
4.5- This book is sure to be a winner with middle schoolers!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews