Cog, a robot designed to learn, wakes in a lab without Gina, his creator. Facing scientists eager to dismantle him, Cog enlists four robot allies—ADA, Proto, Trashbot, and Car—for a daring rescue mission. As they navigate a world of danger and discovery, will they find Gina before it's too late? Their journey promises mistakes, growth, and the ultimate test of loyalty. Can Cog and his companions outsmart the corporation that controls them all? Embark on an unforgettable adventure where friendship and courage redefine what it means to be truly alive.
Five robots. One unforgettable journey. Their programming will never be the same. Wall-E meets The Wild Robot in this middle grade instant classic about five robots on a mission to rescue their inventor from the corporation that controls them all. Cog looks like a normal twelve-year-old boy. But his name is short for “cognitive development,” and he was built to learn. But after an accident leaves him damaged, Cog wakes up in an unknown lab–and Gina, the scientist who created and cared for him, is nowhere to be found. Surrounded by scientists who want to study him and remove his brain, Cog recruits four robot accomplices for a mission to find her.Cog, ADA, Proto, Trashbot, and Car’s journey will likely involve much cognitive development in the form of mistakes, but Cog is willing to risk everything to find his way back to Gina.In this charming stand-alone adventure, Greg van Eekhout breathes life and wisdom into an unforgettable character and crafts a story sure to earn its place among beloved classics like Katherine Applegate’s The One and Only Ivan.–Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
What families may want to know
Every family reads differently. These are the concepts our editors noticed in this book — worth seeking out for some readers, worth knowing about for others. The list isn't exhaustive, but it's a spoiler-light head start.
Language
This book includes two instances of taking God's name in vain ("Thank God you're alright," and "Oh my God.")
Cog learns some lessons by making mistakes. What is a mistake you've made, and what lesson did you learn from it?
Cog rebels against uniMIND and their desire for control, knowing free will is more important. How do you think Gina helped teach Cog this lesson?
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