BOTM for January is The Wild Robot

[SaraKat]

Please let us all know what you think about The Wild Robot as you read it this month.

[Carmel]

I'm feeling a little disappointed by this one. It's cute but didn't touch my heart or and I don't think it will provoke much thinking in Middle School students. Perhaps more appropriate for younger students??

[J.S.]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggled with this one. I agree with Carmel that it would be for the younger middle-grade crowd. I could see young readers who love animals enjoying it. Here's the review I just posted.

I wanted to like this book but couldn't really get into it. Maybe it was because I listened to it just after the kids went back to school. The characters in the book asked so many questions that I still felt surrounded by children. (I love my kids, but I also love being able to hear myself think when I'm trying to work.) Don't get me wrong, that's a compliment to the character development because that is how the characters would act. I just didn't love it.

I also struggled at times with the author's writing style. Several times, the narrator said, "Now listener, you may not have realized ..." The fourth wall doesn't need to be broken to present this information. Just tell me.

The audiobook starts with music and sound effects with the narration. Gratefully, they ended after the first few chapters and didn't start again until the last few. This is almost always a turnoff for me. That alone almost made me stop listening, but I persisted because I was listening to it for a book club.

I thought the premise of the story was unique and the characters were fairly well-developed, it just wasn't the story for me.

[Niki]

I enjoyed the book but I also agree that it's meant for a younger crowd than middle grade. In general, I think it was just an okay book nothing overly sentimental for me. I would like to read the next in the series, though.

I felt like there was something missing. Maybe more action, maybe a bit more of a plot. But that could be my adult self. I'm trying to put my mind in a younger mindset where I may have enjoyed this and not paid attention to some of the missing elements I've come to enjoy as I've grown as a reader.

I think, though, this would be an excellent book to read out loud and share with kids. It's fun and I think there's a great opportunity to include funny voices and act out characters to make the experience fun.

[J.S.]

Niki wrote: "I enjoyed the book but I also agree that it's meant for a younger crowd than middle grade. In general, I think it was just an okay book nothing overly sentimental for me. I would like to read the n..."

I like the idea of reading each character in a different voice. I could see that as especially fun if different kids got to read those lines.

[SaraKat]

I just finished and it felt like a book to read to very young children, but the themes and death seemed a little to old for that age range. I also thought that the book was a little heavy-handed with its lessons on being kind and such. I remember one part where all the animals were talking about how awesome it was to help each other and one character said "Oh please, all this sweetness is going to make me sick." I was thinking "Me too, Digdown, me too." I was not inspired to read the sequel.

[Louie]

I found The Wild Robot to be very cute and lovely with a lot to be enjoyed in the simplicity of the story and the overall theme of found family. I can't wait to read the sequel and find out more about the unique world the author created.

[Rebecca]

I just got the audio book, and will give it a listen as soon as I finish the current book.

[SaraKat]

I listened to the audiobook, too. I thought it was nice since you got to hear the robot voice and hear the slight differences as she tried new things.

[Rebecca]

Okay, I'm on Chapter 16 (which isn't that far into the book), and I think I'm quitting. I can't enjoy the story when the setting is so irritating. She's washed ashore from a hurricane, but ends up on an island that has the flora and fauna of the Rocky Mountains. Animals are given human thoughts and reactions (yeah, those animals that shouldn't be there). And the narrator, if not the author, is talking down to the readers, IMO. I lack the patience for this one.

[Carlin]

I’m a DNF also! I tried a year or two ago and couldn’t get into it at all

[Rebecca]

I tried a few more chapters. But when all the animals organized an hour of truce every morning... gack.

[Alba]

I would agree with the previous comments about it being made for a younger middle grade audience (8-9 years old). If feels like a bridge book between chapter books and middle grade. So I read it with that audience in mind.

So many underlying themes (tolerance, what it means to be part of a community, bullying, death, etc) are appropriate and woven well (in my opinion) into the story. The short chapters (aka James Patterson style LOL) and illustrations make it a good book for reading aloud to younger kids as well.

I can see why people didn't like it, but I thought it was cute and appropriate for its intended audience.

[Justine]

I had the borrowed book sitting around while I finished a huge book, and this thread put me off starting it. When I eventually opened it, I agreed with what everyone was saying. It is too infantile for middle grade. So I parked it for a few more days.

During this time, I talked myself into reading it through the eyes of a younger audience. Once I got that into my head, I enjoyed it more. It is more suited for advanced readers aged 6-9. The voice, the narration, the content all tie in this way. I could picture this book being read to a child at bedtime. With its length, this is a good little project for carer and child to get into over a few days, or a even couple of weeks, depending on the length of the reading time at each sitting.

[J.S.]

I wanted to thank everyone who nominates books. Whether I enjoy the book or not, I enjoy learning about different books out there. Each month I try to nominate something but usually draw a blank.

Also, thank you to everyone who participates in discussions. I love that we can share our likes and dislikes about the books in a civilized manner. It's hard to find that on social media these days.

[Justine]

Hear ye hear ye !

[Jemima]

J.S. wrote: "I wanted to thank everyone who nominates books. Whether I enjoy the book or not, I enjoy learning about different books out there. Each month I try to nominate something but usually draw a blank.

..."
It’s nice to hear your comments about the attitudes on here.
When Steve started the Group he was determined it should be a place where we could share ideas and suggestions freely.
Thank you for confirming we’re still getting that right.

[SaraKat]

Book people are the best people!

[S.W.]

Wow, Jemima, such a nice surprise to be mentioned by you even though I haven’t been on here as as often as I used to. Glad to see it all still plodding along nicely and staying true to its roots. Cheers.

[J.S.]

Jemima and SaraKat, thanks for all you do to keep the group going!

Steve, thanks for starting all of this in the first place!