I stumbled across this title from a suggestion algorithm, I spotted the book cover at the bottom of my screen and clicked on it.
I've often mentioned how I wish novels came with some illustrations and I got my wish with this one.
Sure it's a kids book, aimed at the middle school years (grades 6 through 8) but don't let that deter you from reading it. Honestly, it is well written and charming. It is such a breath of fresh air.
The chapters are super small so I could dip in and out with ease but I kept finding myself reading "just one more chapter" often enough that I was swept up in it.
Roz the robot washes ashore having survived a stormy shipwreck. A pack of otters inadvertently activate her and what comes next is a delightful story of a "monster" coming to terms with existence and deciding what her place in the world should be.
Because the book is aimed at pre and early teens the sentence structure is pretty basic but the story is complex and there is some real peril that younger kids would find upsetting.
Reading this as an adult, the plot is predictable. But that's not where the joy lies; it's in the details and the charm of the writing. I loved the illustrations, which were also done by Brown. This book brought back the joy of reading to me. More adult novels should be like this.
Highly recommended.
Peter Brown's website - http://www.peterbrownstudio.com/
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