Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
If you are looking for something a little different for your next reading experience, pick up a copy of HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT by Natalie Standiford.
Bea is used to moving around. Her father, a college professor, is always on the lookout for new challenges, so they have moved from one college town to another over the years. This move is a bit more unsettling since it's Bea's senior year, and for some unknown reason, her mother is acting strange.
After basically deciding to just coast through this final year of high school and just bide her time until she can head off to college on her own, Bea is pleasantly surprised when she actually makes a few friends. One of the most interesting people is someone everyone calls Ghost Boy. His name is Jonah, but since elementary school his quiet manner and pale complexion have made him the target of ridicule.
A friendship begins to develop between Bea and Jonah when he leaves her a note suggesting that she tune in to a late night radio talk show called Night Lights. As Bea listens to the odd characters who call in every night, she imagines Jonah in his darkened room listening, too. They find they have more and more in common and both feel comfortable when they are together.
As they grow closer, Jonah confides in Bea and tells her about his twin brother, killed years before in a car accident along with their mother. He is convinced that Matthew is really still alive and asks Bea's help in the search to find him.
There are many unique twists and turns to keep readers interested. Both Bea and Jonah have parent issues. Bea's mother's behavior is increasingly bizarre, which both annoys and worries Bea. Jonah has lived with his unemotional father all these years, but now emotions are running on high as Jonah questions the truth about his long-lost twin. Scattered throughout the narrative are glimpses into the Night Lights radio program in the form of dialogue sections highlighting the callers' comments and questions.
Overall, HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT is a captivating book just unique enough to make it stand apart from the usual adventure, drinking/sex party, vampire romance books that seem to be filling the YA shelves of late. This book is a worthy addition to any library, classroom, or personal collection.
If you are looking for something a little different for your next reading experience, pick up a copy of HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT by Natalie Standiford.
Bea is used to moving around. Her father, a college professor, is always on the lookout for new challenges, so they have moved from one college town to another over the years. This move is a bit more unsettling since it's Bea's senior year, and for some unknown reason, her mother is acting strange.
After basically deciding to just coast through this final year of high school and just bide her time until she can head off to college on her own, Bea is pleasantly surprised when she actually makes a few friends. One of the most interesting people is someone everyone calls Ghost Boy. His name is Jonah, but since elementary school his quiet manner and pale complexion have made him the target of ridicule.
A friendship begins to develop between Bea and Jonah when he leaves her a note suggesting that she tune in to a late night radio talk show called Night Lights. As Bea listens to the odd characters who call in every night, she imagines Jonah in his darkened room listening, too. They find they have more and more in common and both feel comfortable when they are together.
As they grow closer, Jonah confides in Bea and tells her about his twin brother, killed years before in a car accident along with their mother. He is convinced that Matthew is really still alive and asks Bea's help in the search to find him.
There are many unique twists and turns to keep readers interested. Both Bea and Jonah have parent issues. Bea's mother's behavior is increasingly bizarre, which both annoys and worries Bea. Jonah has lived with his unemotional father all these years, but now emotions are running on high as Jonah questions the truth about his long-lost twin. Scattered throughout the narrative are glimpses into the Night Lights radio program in the form of dialogue sections highlighting the callers' comments and questions.
Overall, HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT is a captivating book just unique enough to make it stand apart from the usual adventure, drinking/sex party, vampire romance books that seem to be filling the YA shelves of late. This book is a worthy addition to any library, classroom, or personal collection.
My Thoughts: Well, this book is not normally what I would read for the simple fact that there is little to no romance in this book and it is not classified as paranormal either. Yes, I would say there is a type of love but its more the deep down love that isn't shown by passionate kisses or makeout sessions. Its more about the feel good feelings. I think this was a good book, just not enough romance for me! haha! If your not into the mushy stuff than this is probably the perfect book for you. It has life lessons and it actually does have a plot. We get to know the characters and I especially liked the girl, whose name was Beatrice. If your a Beverly Cleary fan like I was as a kid, you get the significance of her name to me. I also did like Jonah, aka ghost boy. If your a fan of late night radio, than this is also a really sweet book. If you want a book that is more about lessons than read this one!
Overall: A good book with a moral to the story. If your not into mushy stuff, read this. If you like books that are more about the character development and learning about the past of the characters this is for you.
Cover: I love the cover. Its hot pink if you can't tell. hehe. Definitely a girly cover but this book is good for boys too. I also like the phone on it. Very pretty. (Reviewed by Princess Bookie)
Overall: A good book with a moral to the story. If your not into mushy stuff, read this. If you like books that are more about the character development and learning about the past of the characters this is for you.
Cover: I love the cover. Its hot pink if you can't tell. hehe. Definitely a girly cover but this book is good for boys too. I also like the phone on it. Very pretty. (Reviewed by Princess Bookie)
This first standalone book by the author of the Dating Game series is odd, but definitely heart-wrenching. With a cast of unusual and quirky characters, it'll bring out the subconscious desire in all of us to explore all of our eccentricities.
Bea is a wonderful narrator, caught in between troubles at home, the cookie-cutter Barbie girls at school who try to draw her into their folds, and Jonah. She considers herself inhuman, lacking in human emotions--that's why she calls herself "Robot Girl"--and yet we're able to empathize with her and still root for her. Jonah may seem like your average high school misfit, but somehow we still care about him and want to help him be happier. Standiford creates characters that are flawed but still sympathetic, which never ceases to be an incredible accomplishment.
However, I had some difficulty believing in Bea and Jonah's relationship. It seemed to me to start really quickly and suddenly transform into an inexplicably intense and life-transforming friendship. Pray, where was the development of the relationship? Why are Bea's feelings for Jonah so strong when he constantly treats her cruelly? I liked Bea and Jonah at separate characters, but I was never able to figure out how they were supposed to work as a platonic "couple."
Nevertheless, HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT is a read that will stay with you because of its defiance of conventions in YA lit. It's not your typical romance, it doesn't have your usual kinds of characters, and it certainly does not have an ideal ending. And yet it all works. HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT will leave you with your heart clenched and fists pressed against your eyes to prevent the tears from coming out. It is truly original and poignant in all its weirdness.
Bea is a wonderful narrator, caught in between troubles at home, the cookie-cutter Barbie girls at school who try to draw her into their folds, and Jonah. She considers herself inhuman, lacking in human emotions--that's why she calls herself "Robot Girl"--and yet we're able to empathize with her and still root for her. Jonah may seem like your average high school misfit, but somehow we still care about him and want to help him be happier. Standiford creates characters that are flawed but still sympathetic, which never ceases to be an incredible accomplishment.
However, I had some difficulty believing in Bea and Jonah's relationship. It seemed to me to start really quickly and suddenly transform into an inexplicably intense and life-transforming friendship. Pray, where was the development of the relationship? Why are Bea's feelings for Jonah so strong when he constantly treats her cruelly? I liked Bea and Jonah at separate characters, but I was never able to figure out how they were supposed to work as a platonic "couple."
Nevertheless, HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT is a read that will stay with you because of its defiance of conventions in YA lit. It's not your typical romance, it doesn't have your usual kinds of characters, and it certainly does not have an ideal ending. And yet it all works. HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT will leave you with your heart clenched and fists pressed against your eyes to prevent the tears from coming out. It is truly original and poignant in all its weirdness.