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Scrap
When you build a new world,
you always send in the robots first.
You just don't expect them to take over.
After the robots revolt on Somewhere 513, humanity itself is outlawed. Only the mighty K1-NG remains loyal to the core.
But he is one robot against a thousand...
Defeated and stripped of his magnificent case, K1-NG consigns himself to living as junk among the Piles. But when the last two humans on the planet ask for ihs help to get off-world, the robot is forced to confront his past.
Does he have what it takes to be the hero he once was... or is he just "Scrap".
you always send in the robots first.
You just don't expect them to take over.
After the robots revolt on Somewhere 513, humanity itself is outlawed. Only the mighty K1-NG remains loyal to the core.
But he is one robot against a thousand...
Defeated and stripped of his magnificent case, K1-NG consigns himself to living as junk among the Piles. But when the last two humans on the planet ask for ihs help to get off-world, the robot is forced to confront his past.
Does he have what it takes to be the hero he once was... or is he just "Scrap".
320 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Guy Bass
77 books62 followersGuy is an award-winning author whose children's books series include Stitch Head, Skeleton Keys, Dinkin Dings, Spynosaur, The Legend of Frog and Atomic! In 2010 Dinkin Dings and the Frightening Things won the Blue Peter Award for Most Fun Book with Pictures.
Guy's has also written plays for both adults and children. He has previously been a theatre producer, illustrator, temp, gerbil whisperer and has acted his way out of several paper bags.
Guy spent his childhood reading comics and hoping one day to become a superhero. He spends his adulthood in more or less the same way.
Guy lives in London with his wife and no dog - yet.
Guy's has also written plays for both adults and children. He has previously been a theatre producer, illustrator, temp, gerbil whisperer and has acted his way out of several paper bags.
Guy spent his childhood reading comics and hoping one day to become a superhero. He spends his adulthood in more or less the same way.
Guy lives in London with his wife and no dog - yet.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What worked:
Paige and Gnat are sisters with contrasting views of Scrap. Gnat is convinced that Scrap is the missing King of the Robots and that he will help them escape Somewhere Five One Three. Paige is certain this dented, broken case of metal and bolts is definitely not K1-NG. Humans are comparable to rodents on this planet, and the robots are trying to exterminate them. Paige, Gnat, and their ailing mother are the last humans, and Gnat expects Scrap to help them escape. However, Scrap feels the humans betrayed him during The Difference of Opinion, and he’s sworn never to help them again.
Scrap’s character straddles the line between humans and robots. He’s made of metal parts and a battery that will never run out, but he must keep his core’s identity a secret. The robots consider K1-NG a traitor, and he’ll be dismantled if they discover his identity, his core code. Like humans, the robots have male and female genders, and readers learn they have vanity and emotions. All robots are obsessed with getting upgrades, and they constantly want more. Scrap tells Paige that he has a mind and dreams when he sleeps. Readers will follow his internal turmoil as he debates whether to help the girls or keep the promise he made to himself. Scrap tells them he won’t help, but readers know his actions say something different.
The author infuses elements of humor in different ways. Early chapters open with sales pitches that advertise all of the wonderful things humans can expect when they’re transported to Somewhere 513. Readers will smile when they contrast the descriptions to the actual robot takeover on the planet. Later chapters insert messages to the robots and provide readers with context for the rules guiding the robots. A character called Gunner enters the story mid-book, and she frequently mixes up familiar figures of speech by using similar-sounding words. The author often italicizes phrases like “have you been living under a sock”, “I beg your garden”, and “thinks outside the blocks”. Gnat’s childish innocence contributes levity and a contrast to the seriousness of her situation. Paige has one grenade, and she frequently threatens to blow everyone up.
What didn’t work as well:
Gnat and Paige wear old robot heads to hide their identities as humans. Strangely, a world full of self-aware, highly evolved robots can’t recognize human bodies under the robot heads. Gnat pretends to be mechanical, calling herself Gnat-Bot Ninety-Nine, but it’s still unbelievable that the human girls can navigate the world of robots with such simple disguises.
The final verdict:
The story mirrors human fears that robots will rise up one day and take over the world. The mayor is the true villain, and she’ll reveal the underlying problem when the story nears its climax. This is an unpretentious book, and I highly recommend it for readers wanting thought-provoking entertainment.
Paige and Gnat are sisters with contrasting views of Scrap. Gnat is convinced that Scrap is the missing King of the Robots and that he will help them escape Somewhere Five One Three. Paige is certain this dented, broken case of metal and bolts is definitely not K1-NG. Humans are comparable to rodents on this planet, and the robots are trying to exterminate them. Paige, Gnat, and their ailing mother are the last humans, and Gnat expects Scrap to help them escape. However, Scrap feels the humans betrayed him during The Difference of Opinion, and he’s sworn never to help them again.
Scrap’s character straddles the line between humans and robots. He’s made of metal parts and a battery that will never run out, but he must keep his core’s identity a secret. The robots consider K1-NG a traitor, and he’ll be dismantled if they discover his identity, his core code. Like humans, the robots have male and female genders, and readers learn they have vanity and emotions. All robots are obsessed with getting upgrades, and they constantly want more. Scrap tells Paige that he has a mind and dreams when he sleeps. Readers will follow his internal turmoil as he debates whether to help the girls or keep the promise he made to himself. Scrap tells them he won’t help, but readers know his actions say something different.
The author infuses elements of humor in different ways. Early chapters open with sales pitches that advertise all of the wonderful things humans can expect when they’re transported to Somewhere 513. Readers will smile when they contrast the descriptions to the actual robot takeover on the planet. Later chapters insert messages to the robots and provide readers with context for the rules guiding the robots. A character called Gunner enters the story mid-book, and she frequently mixes up familiar figures of speech by using similar-sounding words. The author often italicizes phrases like “have you been living under a sock”, “I beg your garden”, and “thinks outside the blocks”. Gnat’s childish innocence contributes levity and a contrast to the seriousness of her situation. Paige has one grenade, and she frequently threatens to blow everyone up.
What didn’t work as well:
Gnat and Paige wear old robot heads to hide their identities as humans. Strangely, a world full of self-aware, highly evolved robots can’t recognize human bodies under the robot heads. Gnat pretends to be mechanical, calling herself Gnat-Bot Ninety-Nine, but it’s still unbelievable that the human girls can navigate the world of robots with such simple disguises.
The final verdict:
The story mirrors human fears that robots will rise up one day and take over the world. The mayor is the true villain, and she’ll reveal the underlying problem when the story nears its climax. This is an unpretentious book, and I highly recommend it for readers wanting thought-provoking entertainment.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My experience with the novel, Scrap is one that feels rather odd. On the one hand, I find myself finishing this book believing that the story is fantastic, loving the portrayal of the characters, and feeling as though this could be an exceptional book to adapt into a movie or children’s show. At the same time, I simply cannot help the fact that I got rather bored while reading it and had to put the book down several times. Stepping back, I love the premise. But when actually moving through the pages of the book, I found myself frequently wishing that it were faster paced. And even that feels a little bit silly given that the book is very clearly fast paced since we move from one moment to the next with surprising speed. Thus, I’m sort of in a little bit of limbo about what I actually think of it all in the end.
Part of me wonders if this feeling came from how jam-packed many of the moments and characters felt. It almost feels as though there’s too much going on at times, especially when it came to the human hunter robots. Then there’s fact that we move between two different perspectives, that of the villain and the hero. We don’t exactly live in the heads of any of the children in the book and I wonder if I’d have felt the same if the story were told from Paige or Gnat’s point of view? Truthfully, I’m just theorizing since I genuinely can’t be sure.
All of that said, I think that there will be a lot of kids who find this story deeply enjoyable. The robot rebellion is a fascinating backdrop, as is the world-building that sets up this adventure. I absolutely adored Gnat every step of the way and was curious about everything that Paige was holding close to herself. Scrap was definitely incredibly rough around the edges, which made sense even if it was a little grating at times how grumpy he was with the two girls who, at nearly every step, were always there for him. There’s an incredible cast of characters, all with their own very distinct personalities. The stakes also feel amazingly high and low at the same time.
One standout I would like to note, though, is the artwork and advertisement asides that are peppered throughout the story. They really do a brilliant job of putting the reader into this new world, expanding upon everything we learn as we move through the chapters. And it’s clearly not the end, for while our leads may have defeated the worst of the villains so far, their journey is far from over.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Part of me wonders if this feeling came from how jam-packed many of the moments and characters felt. It almost feels as though there’s too much going on at times, especially when it came to the human hunter robots. Then there’s fact that we move between two different perspectives, that of the villain and the hero. We don’t exactly live in the heads of any of the children in the book and I wonder if I’d have felt the same if the story were told from Paige or Gnat’s point of view? Truthfully, I’m just theorizing since I genuinely can’t be sure.
All of that said, I think that there will be a lot of kids who find this story deeply enjoyable. The robot rebellion is a fascinating backdrop, as is the world-building that sets up this adventure. I absolutely adored Gnat every step of the way and was curious about everything that Paige was holding close to herself. Scrap was definitely incredibly rough around the edges, which made sense even if it was a little grating at times how grumpy he was with the two girls who, at nearly every step, were always there for him. There’s an incredible cast of characters, all with their own very distinct personalities. The stakes also feel amazingly high and low at the same time.
One standout I would like to note, though, is the artwork and advertisement asides that are peppered throughout the story. They really do a brilliant job of putting the reader into this new world, expanding upon everything we learn as we move through the chapters. And it’s clearly not the end, for while our leads may have defeated the worst of the villains so far, their journey is far from over.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2026
In the far distant future, humans have discovered how to colonize the galaxy, sending robots ahead to terraform new Somewheres to inhabit. But one of those planets, Somewhere 513, did not go according to plan; when the robots decided to exile the humans and take the planet for themselves, conflict ensued. Only one robot stood alongside the humans against his robot brethren, and now, ten years later, the core of that heroic robot continues to function. When two young humans, who for all intents and purposes should not exist, recover this robot from the Pile and dub him Scrap, all of their lives begin to change, and they must work together in order to survive.
This futuristic story blends science fiction with the universal idea of found family in a way that includes elements of The Wild Robot and Wall-E with a sprinkling of Alita: Battle Angel. Scrap’s character speaks in an almost human-like manner, exuding personality traits reminiscent of a curmudgeonly elderly human. Because of this design, Scrap feels real to readers, making it easier to empathize with the challenges he faces. From the very beginning, the narrative is engaging and entertaining, incorporating vivid character types and strong world-building that transport readers immediately into this futuristic landscape. Brief chapters and occasional illustrations further enhance the readability of the book while making the novel accessible to newer middle grade readers. Each chapter starts with a message from the outside world, showcasing some ways in which the present has come to be and further amplifying the worldbuilding of the novel. At once a cautionary tale about the dangers of sentient artificial intelligence and a reminder that found family can come in any form, this book is enjoyable both to read out loud and independently. This book is a relevant and heartwarming addition to library collections for middle grade readers, and it is primed for a sequel.
This futuristic story blends science fiction with the universal idea of found family in a way that includes elements of The Wild Robot and Wall-E with a sprinkling of Alita: Battle Angel. Scrap’s character speaks in an almost human-like manner, exuding personality traits reminiscent of a curmudgeonly elderly human. Because of this design, Scrap feels real to readers, making it easier to empathize with the challenges he faces. From the very beginning, the narrative is engaging and entertaining, incorporating vivid character types and strong world-building that transport readers immediately into this futuristic landscape. Brief chapters and occasional illustrations further enhance the readability of the book while making the novel accessible to newer middle grade readers. Each chapter starts with a message from the outside world, showcasing some ways in which the present has come to be and further amplifying the worldbuilding of the novel. At once a cautionary tale about the dangers of sentient artificial intelligence and a reminder that found family can come in any form, this book is enjoyable both to read out loud and independently. This book is a relevant and heartwarming addition to library collections for middle grade readers, and it is primed for a sequel.
September 5, 2026
🤖✨ What if the last hope for humanity was a robot who’d been reduced to scrap? Buckle up this adventure is anything but junk!
Scrap by Guy Bass whisked me away to Somewhere 513, and I had an absolute blast exploring this wonderfully imaginative world of rebellious robots, giant piles of junk, and one very unlikely hero.
K1-NG was once a mighty robot, but after the robots revolt and humanity is outlawed, he finds himself defeated, stripped of his magnificent case, and living among the Piles as…well, scrap. 😭🤖
But then the last two humans on the planet come looking for his help, and suddenly K1-NG has to decide whether he still has what it takes to be the hero he once was.
I absolutely loved the sense of childlike wonder running through this story. It’s imaginative, funny, fast-paced, and packed with the kind of larger-than-life adventure that makes you want to grab your imaginary backpack and come along for the ride. 🚀
K1-NG quickly won me over. Beneath all the robot parts, action, and chaos is a surprisingly heartfelt story about courage, friendship, identity, and discovering that being a hero isn’t necessarily about looking the part.
This is the kind of book that reminded me why children’s adventures can be SO much fun. There’s plenty of action to keep things moving, but also a big heart underneath it all and I couldn’t help rooting for K1-NG to find his way back to the hero he was meant to be.
If you have a young reader who loves robots, space adventures, humor, unlikely heroes, and imaginative worlds, Scrap deserves a spot on their TBR! 🤖📚✨
Bookish question: If you could bring ONE fictional robot along on an adventure, who would you choose? 🤖🚀
📚 Thank you to StoryGram Tours, Penguin Kids, and Guy Bass for sharing Scrap with me!
Scrap by Guy Bass whisked me away to Somewhere 513, and I had an absolute blast exploring this wonderfully imaginative world of rebellious robots, giant piles of junk, and one very unlikely hero.
K1-NG was once a mighty robot, but after the robots revolt and humanity is outlawed, he finds himself defeated, stripped of his magnificent case, and living among the Piles as…well, scrap. 😭🤖
But then the last two humans on the planet come looking for his help, and suddenly K1-NG has to decide whether he still has what it takes to be the hero he once was.
I absolutely loved the sense of childlike wonder running through this story. It’s imaginative, funny, fast-paced, and packed with the kind of larger-than-life adventure that makes you want to grab your imaginary backpack and come along for the ride. 🚀
K1-NG quickly won me over. Beneath all the robot parts, action, and chaos is a surprisingly heartfelt story about courage, friendship, identity, and discovering that being a hero isn’t necessarily about looking the part.
This is the kind of book that reminded me why children’s adventures can be SO much fun. There’s plenty of action to keep things moving, but also a big heart underneath it all and I couldn’t help rooting for K1-NG to find his way back to the hero he was meant to be.
If you have a young reader who loves robots, space adventures, humor, unlikely heroes, and imaginative worlds, Scrap deserves a spot on their TBR! 🤖📚✨
Bookish question: If you could bring ONE fictional robot along on an adventure, who would you choose? 🤖🚀
📚 Thank you to StoryGram Tours, Penguin Kids, and Guy Bass for sharing Scrap with me!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Two human sisters should NOT be on Somewhere 513, especially after the advance robots sent to prepare the planet for human settlement kicked the arriving humans out and claimed the settlement for themselves. Yet, at their mother's insistence, Gnat and Paige must keep their human identities secret while attempting to locate the only robot who chose to defend the humans... and failed. Their efforts lead to a rusty, run-down part of Somewhere 513, and a rusty, cranky collection of parts called Scrap, who prefers to be left alone but gets dragged into protecting the sisters from the robot enforcers on the hunt.
This high-energy space adventure offers cinematic pacing, clever word play, and illustrations that draw readers into the series of scrapes, chases, and escapes in this first installment of a multi-book series. Author Guy Bass blends questions of AI, history and propaganda, tech upgrades, and choosing what's worth saving into a fun, fast-paced story that leaps off the page. I only wish we had a few more beats to absorb the impact of assorted twists and turns on the way to the thrilling end.
With thanks to NetGalley for an advance reader's copy in exchange for this unpaid review.
This high-energy space adventure offers cinematic pacing, clever word play, and illustrations that draw readers into the series of scrapes, chases, and escapes in this first installment of a multi-book series. Author Guy Bass blends questions of AI, history and propaganda, tech upgrades, and choosing what's worth saving into a fun, fast-paced story that leaps off the page. I only wish we had a few more beats to absorb the impact of assorted twists and turns on the way to the thrilling end.
With thanks to NetGalley for an advance reader's copy in exchange for this unpaid review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Humans were supposed to land and take over the planet Somewhere 513 after the robots prepared it, but when K1-NG and the humans arrived, the robots had rebelled and ordered the humans to leave. Damaged trying to protect the humans, King’s core was transferred to a junk robot and he has been sitting ina scrap pile for the last 10 years. When two young humans, 10yo Paige and 5yo Gnat (Natalie) follow a core detector to him, Scrap (as Gnat names him) has no desire to help them, in fact he actively discourages their presence. But other robots get wind of humans being on the planet and now all of them are running for their lives.
If younger students are looking for books to read after The Wild Robot, send them in this direction, I enjoyed Scrap’s personality, even though he keeps trying to get rid of Paige and Gnat. The other robots are also interesting - even the Mechanical Mayor, Harmony Highside.
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Humans were supposed to land and take over the planet Somewhere 513 after the robots prepared it, but when K1-NG and the humans arrived, the robots had rebelled and ordered the humans to leave. Damaged trying to protect the humans, King’s core was transferred to a junk robot and he has been sitting ina scrap pile for the last 10 years. When two young humans, 10yo Paige and 5yo Gnat (Natalie) follow a core detector to him, Scrap (as Gnat names him) has no desire to help them, in fact he actively discourages their presence. But other robots get wind of humans being on the planet and now all of them are running for their lives.
If younger students are looking for books to read after The Wild Robot, send them in this direction, I enjoyed Scrap’s personality, even though he keeps trying to get rid of Paige and Gnat. The other robots are also interesting - even the Mechanical Mayor, Harmony Highside.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Scrap is a fun sci-fi adventure filled with robots, friendship, humor, and plenty of imagination. I enjoyed reading this one aloud with my kids, and they loved following along with the journey and discovering what would happen next. The creative world-building and mix of adventure and heart kept us all engaged, making it a great family read. Fans of WALL-E and The Wild Robot will enjoy this imaginative story about unexpected friendships and finding hope in a changing world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy thanks to NetGalley
This is absolutely a book I’ll be recommending to my students. It has so much heart and well formed characters. With the advances in AI at the moment, it can’t be an easy time to write sci-fi however this book navigates it well. It is a great jumping off point to talk about technology and how it’s used. The multiple perspectives and the time lines shifts give a depth to the story and I was enjoying seeing it all unfold. The action scenes are beautifully paired with the illustrations which are incredible.
This is absolutely a book I’ll be recommending to my students. It has so much heart and well formed characters. With the advances in AI at the moment, it can’t be an easy time to write sci-fi however this book navigates it well. It is a great jumping off point to talk about technology and how it’s used. The multiple perspectives and the time lines shifts give a depth to the story and I was enjoying seeing it all unfold. The action scenes are beautifully paired with the illustrations which are incredible.
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