Assessment:
Plot: Written and illustrated by picture book author Joan Dee Wilson, Sir_Scrap Metal is the author’s first foray into the chapter book genre, and she has succeeded in creating a fast-paced sci-fi action adventure story with family at its core that elementary school-aged children will appreciate. Dree rescues a robot earmarked for recycling while on vacation at Grandma’s with her older brothers, Mike and Brady. Sir_12.80, who is more an intelligent C3PO-type android than a robot, quickly becomes a valued member of the family that has adopted it, even as Agent Rouso, who wants Sir’s black box, is hunting for it. Sir Scrap Metal turns out to be helpful in all kinds of unexpected ways, including rescuing lost kittens and finding lost boys.
Prose/Style: This is a book that should be read aloud by an adult or an older child who can interpret the text through intonation and expression for young listeners. A beginning reader might be confused by the sentence structure, which is more sophisticated than the written text they would be accustomed to reading.
Originality: The story is full of wonderful characters, lots of technology and a fair amount of wildlife, some of it definitely dangerous. Everything seems to be in motion at once, making for a very engaging story. And the evil Mr. Fitch, who discarded the robot in the first place, is a constant worry right up to the end.
Character Development/Execution: The most interesting character is the robot itself, and readers keep learning more about its history, capabilities and deficits as the plot moves forward. But more important is the warm, supportive family that is at the core of this story. They are invariably caring in their actions toward each other, so it’s no wonder that in the end Sir chooses them over returning to his old life.
Date Submitted: August 26, 2021
“If you're a fan of movies such as WALL-E, you're going to love Sir_Scrap Metal. Author Joan Dee Wilson masterfully captures children's adventurous spirit. The plot moves quickly, the story world is remarkably imaginative, and the characters are colorful and wildly entertaining. You can't help immersing yourselves in the story. Dree, Mike, Brady, Sir, Grandma, and even the kittens -- bring a unique flavor to the narrative. I enjoyed reading Sir_Scrap Metal, and I highly recommend it to kids of all ages.”—Readers Favorite ________
Sir_Scrap Metal is a children’s chapter book written and illustrated by Joan Dee Wilson. “Loaded with the kinds of authentic daily details young children enjoy. Sir Scrap Metal is perfect for family read-aloud. There’s a mystery plot that keeps the action loosely structured, but the central theme is a heartwarming story that made me want to read more by Joan Dee Wilson.” —Readers Favorite
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“Joan Dee Wilson does a fantastic job of merging adventure and sci-fi making it easy to understand for the young audience: adventure, espionage, pet rescue, technology, survival, and more. ...every event and picture had me eagerly looking forward to the next one. Sir_Scrap Metal is a good story for teaching children to love technology at an early age. A smart robot friend would be the dream of every child and even some adults!” —Readers Favorite
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“Sir_Scrap Metal by Joan Dee Wilson is a mix of summer fun and mystery in a story incorporating technology that kids are familiar with and some good old-fashioned outdoor adventure. Kids will enjoy the warm family relationships as they all work together through wild adventures and end up helping to solve the mystery of the bird that is causing chaos. Wilson has also included some small illustrations that enhance Sir_Scrap Metal’s short chapters. It is a good book that kids transitioning from early readers will want to try.” —Readers Favorite
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“Joan Dee Wilson has not only proven herself adept at words but artistically gifted too. Sir_Scrap Metal explores the meaning of family and teaches us that when trouble comes, a family bands together to help each other out. I love how Joan includes the robot's quest to belong, as it's a common theme among children. Few have achieved it, yet Joan succeeded in realistically portraying how children would act through her three protagonists. With her incredible characterization, I found it easy to root for these characters, especially Sir Scrap Metal, who only wanted to stay with his newfound family.” —Readers Favorite
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