Weird little novel. My favorite aspect is the complex, realistic, not cliched character interactions. Some of the characters themselves were sketched a little too easily, but the attention to detail was special. My inner child and I really wanted, however, more science, more 'maker' crafting, and less magic. And fewer of dad's odd recipes (waste of words).

Half a bonus point for the rec. to put fresh fruit, instead of sweetened jam, on peanut butter sandwiches... not just bananas, but try smushed strawberries, or grape halves, or thin peach slices....

Recommended to interested children. I'm not sure how many of you, my adult friends, would actually like this.

Compare to the weird little picture-book, [b:Nothing in Common|51975839|Nothing in Common|Kate Hoefler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574742265l/51975839._SX50_.jpg|73483416] ( )

Quick Thoughts: This is one I think belongs is most elementary and middle school libraries. Lots of topics - girl power, science, technology, STEAM - mixed with magical realism. Strong themes of persistence and tenacity. Great characters with strong personalities. Includes bonus illustrations that work well to portray the feelings in the tale. Lots of reader personalities would like this one!

2 girls, Penny Rose and Lark, have never quite fit in but both long for friendship. Once they realize their differences makes them perfect for each other, they friendship blossoms. They bond over science and the Weird Little Robots. Friendship, confidence, and the robots are all threatened and the girls need to use each other's strengths and support to get through it.

It is a good story with interesting main characters. The characters are fallible but learn from mistakes, grow together, and display a touching tenderness. Social pressure, trust, and admitting one's mistakes all come in to play. Strong STEM themes should encourage and appeal female and male readers alike.

The robots play a supporting role and definitely could have a book of their own as their story line was interesting and fun.

Artwork is fun and adds a lot to appeal of the story. ( )

I enjoyed this book. I think my daughter will also enjoy it in a year or two. The social messages are a little advanced for her at the moment (she is in kindergarten). I like the example it sets of girls liking science and math. It deals with topics of social pressure, trying to fit in, and staying true to yourself well. The characters don't always make the right decisions, but they learn from their mistakes and come around in the in. I wish they magic of the robots had been explored a little more. The illustrations were sweet and engaging. I think this is a good book for 3rd-5th graders. ( )

I received this book as an early reviewer this summer. This story is about 2 girls, Penny Rose and Lark, who are different from others. Their friendship gets challenged when one tries to be in a secret society. The book shows girls in a positive way, utilizing science and excelling in the field.

I really enjoyed the book. I passed it on to one of my 5th grade library students and her review was that the author needed to turn this book into a series. She wanted more when the story ended.

A wonderful story about a little girl named Penny whom is new town and has a interest in science and robots. These robots she feels are her only friends. This interest leads to the development of a secret science club at school. This story intertwines wanting to be and have friends with learning that you have to know how to be a friend first before you can be a good one. The fact that people are different and they can still interact and get along and that's ok is an important but subtle message in this story.

I also like the fact that the story shows and portrays to people especially young girls that it is ok to be interested in Science and Robots. I recommend this book and believe that it would have broad appeal to readers across much of the upper half of Elementary grade readers (3rd-5th). Could even be used as a class read loud where the teacher reads it to the class a chapter a day. ( )

Weird Little Robots is a story about girls and science. Penny Rose, a new girl in town, likes to build tiny robots out of discarded items. She tentatively meets and befriends Lark, a strange girl in her class who likes birdwatching and birdhouses. Penny also becomes involved with a mysterious science club at school -- but the members of that science club don't like Lark.

I liked the characters of Penny and Lark as being shy, awkward girls, more interested in their hobbies than in fitting into fifth grade social norms. Carolyn Crimi sprinkled some nice nods to female scientists and engineers. However, the plot seemed a little disjointed and unfinished, with a mysterious force giving Penny's robots some independent life. I wanted to know more about the history and workings of the Secret Science club, and I never really got why they wanted to exclude Lark. ( )

Weird LIttle Robots is a story about a girl, Penny Rose, who likes to build tiny robots. She is new to town and the robots are her friends. She meets her neighbor Lark, who is mysterious and always wears sunglasses. Eventually they strike up a friendship and form a science club.

This would make a nice introductory chapter book for 2nd or 3rd graders. The writing is simple and interesting for young children to follow. The message that girls can embrace science and engineering woven together with the social-emotional aspects of friendship make it a nice book to share. ( )

This review and others posted over at my blog.

I won a copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fun little story perfect for younger middle-grade readers. While it lacked the depth I prefer, it has great messages about friendship, creativity, and self-acceptance. Even the secret science club is comprised of some unexpected members, showing young readers that people can have interests outside stereotypes such as jocks, popular girls, etc.

The robots were my favorite part of course. Penny Rose created five little bots each with their own personalities and special functions. For instance, iPam is made out of an old cellphone, so she can communicate through her screen and loves to use phrases like ‘lol’ and ‘fyi.’ Her name made me smile too.

While I realize the illustrations might not be final in my ARC, I like the artwork and there were plenty of images throughout. Nothing is more disappointing than when a book has great artwork but you only get like, four pictures throughout the whole story. It would be wonderful if the finished copy had color illustrations, but even in black and white, they’re cute.

If you know a younger reader looking for a book about robots, friendship, or with protagonists who are interested in science and crafting, I think they’ll enjoy this book. If Crimi and Luyken put out more books in this series I would certainly read them. ( )

This is a sweet, fast read about two girls trying to navigate middle school and friendship and their own inner selves. The girls are sciencey and awkward, more interested in their hobbies than most other people, and their friendship is heartfelt and well illustrated, including the realities of social pressure, mistakes, forgiveness, and just being different. I felt every conflict in the pit of my stomach, and I was incredibly invested in the outcome of the girls' friendship and their story. ( )

Weird Little Robots is a wonderful novel for young readers. It is about girls who are interested in science and who don't fit in. The story and illustrations are charming, and will show young readers that sometimes it's OK to be different.

Penny Rose is an eleven-year-old who has just moved to a new town. As the novel begins, she is sitting in her workshop, working on her robots, made from bits and pieces of old calculators and cell phones. As she works, she wishes for a friend. When she meets a neighbor girl, Lark, who is interested in birds and who also has trouble fitting in, Penny Rose thinks she has found a friend. She soon learns, however, that she must learn how to be a friend as well. ( )