Stranded in Space

The Stellar Life of Jpeg the Robot Dog #1

by C.J. Atticus

Jpeg, a feisty robot dog, is having the time of his battery life. He slides down the escalator railing and chases the mailbot rather than obeying Master Johnny, his ten-year-old owner, begging him to use his high gigabyte brain for something important like being nice. When Johnny threatens to send Jpeg to a Dog Obedience School, their home computer, M.A.M.I.E., worries that these two best friends could split up forever. She takes matters into her own circuit board.

M.A.M.I.E. schemes with other robots to send Jpeg across the solar system in search of the magnificent ZB1 microchip, rumored to teach the importance of friendship. Before Jpeg can return home, however, he must become a pack-leader and help other machines and bots find their way home. His first lesson is to learn that outer space is a lot scarier than an all powerful home computer.

This chapter book series for ages 6-8 follows Jpeg the robot dog as he explores the universe while learning a human-boy's love is all he needs to be happy.

Read the illustrated Chapter 1 at www.cjatticus.com.

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2013

About the author

I have a passion for science and science fiction. My fascination with science began at age seven by NASA's 1962 Project Mercury and with sci-fi by the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. Since then I have been an avid sci-fi fan, eventually expanding my interest into my now favorite field of robotics. I enjoy robot competitions.

I grew up in the 60's with shows like Star Trek, Lost in Space, and Time Tunnel. My favorite movie is Close Encounters. I prefer sci-fi that involves families and friends, rather than gore or excessive violence. I also didn't have a brother. So, when I envisioned my novel, I thought it cool to create a futuristic adventure with brothers.

Thus, the Star Child Saga was born. Book 1, The Dark Energy, is now available at http://www.cjatticus.com. The Starrider Universe is expanding.

Reviews

[mad mags · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robots, Unite!

(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review through a Goodreads giveaway.)

Jpeg is a very naughty robodog. While his human is away at school, Jpeg sneaks out of their home at the space station. He delights in chasing mailbots, haranguing the hallway clock, and wreaking havoc at the StellarAir Terminal. Fed up with his antics, Master Johnny threatens to send Jpeg to the ever-dreaded Obedience School. But his fellow robots have another idea: teach Jpeg a lesson by launching him into space.

I must not have realized that this was a chapter book when I entered the Goodreads giveaway, since this isn't my usual fare: I don't have kids, nor do I look after children in any capacity. That said, I gamely read it cover-to-cover in about an hour's time (in between cuddles with my perfectly organic rescue dogs) and enjoyed it well enough. The art by Dr. Angelika Domschke (a chemist!) is absolutely adorable, and I'm sure that children will love to read all about Jpeg and his interstellar adventures. (Dogs and robots, what's not to love!?)

Since Stranded in Space - the first book in The Stellar Life of Jpeg The Robot Dog series - ends before Jpeg has finished his journey of self-discovery, the lessons he's meant to internalize remain unclear. Obedience to authority? (But, shades of grey!) Compassion towards his fellow 'bots? (How about widening one's circle of compassion to include all sentient beings, not just those who look the most like you?) That bigger hard drives are always better? (Okay, can't argue with that!) All of the above? I guess we'll have to meet Jpeg inside the maw of the Zam Debris Sweeper to find out!

http://www.easyvegan.info/2013/12/18/...