Molly and the Machine, written by Erik Jon Slangerup, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary:  Summer is starting and Molly McQuirter and her brother Wally are at home with an absent father.  Their mom abandoned them and dad spends his days watching tv and letting the house and kids be neglected.  Molly runs into a few classmates at the beginning of the story, but they are not the friends she would prefer to have.  She kind of starts to accept that it will be a lonely summer until her brother mysteriously disappears.  Molly is determined to find her brother and sets off after some clues on her bike, Pink Lightning. Molly begins to suspect that the giant robot roaming the Ohio woods might have something to do with Wally’s disappearance and some other disappearances.  Molly and her pets risk their lives chasing the robot.  Molly is a problem solver and she is determined to solve the mystery and make things right in her town.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This book was so fun to read!  It’s hard to know how to classify it.  It is realistic fiction, but it can also be considered historical fiction as it is set in the 1980s.  It’s also got a bit of a science fiction twist, along with some action and mystery.  Molly is the main female character who defies stereotypes as she likes to tinker and fix things.  Most of the rest of the characters are boys, so I do think it will appeal to a wide range of readers.  This book could be integrated into a STEM program because of all the inventing and tinkering.  Those readers who grew up in the 80’s (!) will find lots of nostalgia and remember a time when we were not all connected to our phones at all hours of the day.  The setting is southern-ish Ohio, so that local connection is fun.  I think the giant robot that acquires a mind of its own is relevant to our AI conversations in society and the implications it might have.  If you happen to be in an IB school - the Learner Profile attributes of being a risk-taker and a thinker stand out about Molly.  It might also be a good recommendation to math and science teachers so they can push some science-related fiction.  It’s a great pick for any middle grade school library and book 2 is already out. If you happen to be a school librarian in Michigan and are going to be at the MASL conference - READ THIS BOOK! So you can be prepared for our Author Breakfast event ;)