Monstrous Devices: THE TIMES CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK

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When twelve-year-old Alex receives an old tin robot in the post, the note from his grandfather simply reads: 'This one is special'. His grandfather was pretty obnoxious in general. He was constantly flippant and capable of solving any problem they came across easily, leaving little to no sense of actual danger. He was also incredibly cavalier with the life of his grandson. He sent a robot to him knowing full well it could put him in danger because he didn't want this other group to have it. What the flip Gramps? This book is a fabulous choice for teachers! It serves as the springboard for numerous lesson ideas. A science unit in which students learn about the five simple machines then employ that knowledge by designing and constructing their own robots. Mathematical concepts obviously will be needed in conjunction with the construction as well as in determining the distance traveled by the novel's young protagonist, Alex, and his grandfather as they trek across Europe. That adventure easily lends itself to a unit on geography. History comes into play by studying the invention and different applications of robots over the years. (You could even debate the merits of automation of jobs.) Language arts lessons are seemingly endless; rewriting the ending, writing the story from one of the robots' points of view, changing the setting, etc. Vocabulary, spelling, you name it, this book is a gold mine! Alex also seems poorly fleshed out to me. He's fairly 2D, and I feel he's just meant for any young boy to transpose their own identity onto so they can buy into this adventure. All we have to go on is that he likes robots, and he gets bullied. (On that note, I am really over the trope of insanely vicious bullies who get away with it right under the noses of their teachers. Bullies are sneakier, anyone that violent and monstrous would hopefully get snagged and punished.)

He did get on my nerves at times. I can see why the author would go "Oh, I'm going to let grandfather smoke a cigaret but then make him repeat two times Alex should never do that since it's bad for your health!" Not only regarding smoking, but different subjects. I couldn't help think that maybe.. you shouldn't make his grandfather do those things in the first place then? The whole "yeah, you shouldn't do this yourself, Alex"-thing got repetitive after a while and I didn't like it. [It might definitely not be an issue for younger readers, but it got to me, okay.]When twelve-year-old Alex receives an old tin robot in the post, the note from his grandfather simply reads: ‘This one is special’. But as strange events start occurring around him, it doesn’t take Alex long to suspect that the small toy is more than special; it might also be deadly. An effortless, atmospheric evocation of place and history combine in an unforgettable, immersive reading experience.' Guardian But as strange events start occurring around him, it doesn't take Alex long to suspect that the small toy is more than special; it might also be deadly. Just as things are getting out of hand, Alex's grandfather arrives, whisking him away from his otherwise humdrum life and into a world of strange, macabre magic.

I am not a fan of fantasy, either in literature or film. I fell asleep watching the first Harry Potter movie. I tried, unsuccessfully (much to my dismay) to fall asleep during the second Lord of the Rings film, thus enduring the longest two hours and fifty-nine minutes of my life. Therefore, I tend to shy away from anything even hinting at fantasy in my reading selections. So, Monstrous Devices was not my particular cup of tea. Having said that, I could appreciate the relationship between twelve-year-old Alex and his beloved grandfather. Most anyone else would likely find the novel exciting, full of mystery and adventure. Word imagery is author Damien Lowe's strong suit so I could almost feel the biting cold of winter in Prague and hear the muffled tones of a snowy night. My own preferences meant I slogged through the book all the while becoming excited at the possibilities it afforded for the classroom.There is plenty to enjoy about this book. A boy and his grandfather, hurrying away on the train to Paris in winter. A toy robot which seems just a bit, well, different. Unusual events happening to Alex at school (and the bullying not playing too large a part in the overall book, thank goodness....) I enjoyed everything about Damien Love's debut.' Anthony Horowitz, bestselling author of the Alex Rider series What fun! An evil villain, a host of scary robots, big and small, and a hero with commendably bad personal habits. Loved it!”— John Flanagan, New York Times bestselling author of the Ranger’s Apprentice and Brotherband series Bookish twelve-year-old Alex’s story begins with him enduring nasty messages from bullies at school, and then he receives a tin robot in the post, accompanied by a mysterious message that reads, “This one is special”. Next morning, his unfinished essay has been completed and, on cue, as matters take an alarming turn, Alex’s charismatic grandfather appears and whisks him away to Paris as a matter of urgency. Little by little, and in cryptic terms, Alex’s grandfather reveals details of a secret world of robots that sees them journey from Paris to Prague to combat mechanical menaces. When Alex’s grandpa shows up suddenly and whisks him on an adventure, Alex is desperately trying to figure out why. He learns gradually about robots that have taken on human characteristics and one in particular that has enough power to control an entire population. His grandpa is reluctant with information, especially information involving Alex’s father, leaving Alex to figure out the clues himself.

Interweaving the Czech origin of the word ‘robot’ (meaning ‘forced labour’ and derived from Karel Čapek’s ‘RUR’ play), and Prague’s 16th century legend of the golem (a man made from clay created to protect the city’s Jewish Quarter) with contemporary pace and punch, this feels at once timeless and of the 21st century.

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Let me start with the stupidest one first. I am aware it is kind of silly, but for some reason it drove me batty. Alex is bebopping all over the place with his cell phone, able to make calls and texts, but WITHOUT AN INTERNATIONAL PLAN. Also, his mom was able to text him, and he was texting her, but there wasn't the hassle of area codes. It was just like he knew how to make international calls no prob. Alex, 12 year old jetsetter. Things that should have been obstacles, even trifling ones, were just easily ignored or solved. Mysterious and frightening...a well-crafted adventure that's filled with desperate chases, narrow escapes, fight scenes, and twists.' - Publishers Weekly, starred review