Gr 3-6-When Chip has to go to summer school to avoid failing fifth grade, his parents decide to buy a robot "brother" to serve as an example for their son. Simon is seemingly flawless, even though he is a "factory second." He has the Power of Discipline, whereas Chip daydreams. The boy is dismayed by this annoying machine's intrusion in his life, and is even more upset when the robot turns out to be a swimmer. Swimming is Chip's sport. The story progresses to an inevitable man-against-machine swim meet at the novel's conclusion: Chip beats a new and better robot on the opposing team. His dad is inexcusably obtuse to purchase a robot as an "example," and the man admires the robot's swimming ability to the detriment of his son. Then, in a complete turn around at the end, he admits to Chip that he lied about having won a swimming trophy when he was young and really loves his son as he is. The none-too-subtle message about accepting one's imperfections and those of others is a bit heavy-handed. Still, readers who enjoyed Timothy Bush's Benjamin McFadden and the Robot Babysitter (Crown, 1998) or Alfred Slote's My Robot Buddy (HarperCollins, 1975) may enjoy Simon's antics as well.
Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 4-6. In her first novel, Becker offers a story to match any of the numerous nightmarish plots involving robots. In the summer between fifth and sixth grade, Chip, a classic underachiever, discovers that his parents have ordered a SIMON robot, advertised as being the perfect son. "The truth is, your mother and I hope that he will be a good example for you," Chip's father tells him. Consequently, Chip has to put up with Simon always cleaning his room, constantly being polite, and winning swim meets. Chip's reaction is realistic and understandable: he wants to murder his new brother or at least turn him off. Becker paints an accurate portrait of Chip, the type of dreamy kid that we all know, and her view of the future world, where things frequently don't work right, is very funny. A fast-paced, humorous story that ends with a heroic Chip and a humbled Simon. Todd Morning
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