Robots!

Disaster Diaries #4

by R. McGeddon

You know how it is—you’ve built yourself a nice, artificially intelligent robot, and you’re feeling pretty good about yourself… Until it suddenly tries to destroy everyone!Sam, Arty and Emmie get more than they bargained for when Arty creates CHARLES for the school science fair. CHARLES is meant to be a helpful, chore-completing robot, but when he malfunctions, he proves to be a maniacal droid bent on destruction—all in the name of ‘tidying up’ the town of Sitting Duck for good. When CHARLES raises his robot army—complete with pesky hairdryers and dangerous refrigerators—Sam, Arty and Emmie must take on their own creation to save the town once more! Filled with funny illustrations and nifty tips on how to handle a robot gone rogue, Disaster Robots! is the ultimate survival guide for when the machines take over (and they will, people, they will). An Imprint Book

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2025

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth title in the Disaster Diaries features the usual cast of characters--Sam, Arty and Emmie. As usually happens, things start off in a fairly normal way. Arty is eager to win the school science fair, and has created a robot to help aid him and others in completing basic home chores. Although he's disappointed that he doesn't win, he figures he can continue to tweak the robot that he names CHARLES (Chore Helper and Really Lovely Electronic Pal). But as often happens with stories featuring robots, something goes wrong, and Charles becomes bent on cleaning up all the messes in Sitting Duck, which means getting rid of anyone or anything that gets in his way, including his creator. Readers will be amused and a bit intimidated by the thought of an army of appliances bent on destruction. Just imagine hair dryers, refrigerators, blenders, and vacuums run amuck, and you will have some idea of what the youngsters face. Of course, everything ends up okay, even with some interference from Earl Brute, the aptly-named boss of the security force. Having black and white images to support the story adds to its appeal for its intended audience. Although I'm not wildly fond of this series, I am enjoying reading it, and like the idea of stories centered around a town that always seems to get hit by one disaster after another.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The three friends are at it again. This time their adventure involves Art's robot, CHARLES, his science fair project that goes crazy. When the CHARLES short circuits, he tries to clean away humanity. Can the three friends work together to stop him in time? On top of stopping runaway robots, they must also stop Earl Brute from taking over their town, Sitting Duck. This story made me laugh a LOT. I recommend it for 4th grade through 6th grade. (review by Jensen, age 11)

[Ro Menendez · Rating 3 out of 5]

The trio of friends that star in this series are a nice combination that will attract both girls and boys; Emmie, Arty and Sam have talents they call upon when their city needs saving, in this case, from a science fair robot Arty created that has gone terribly wrong. The adults in this story are rather helpless when it comes to saving the town's citizens and it's up to these three friends to bring safety back. The story is full of funny moments, it is action packed, making it quick paced. There are character profiles that are humorous and a comical bad guy that for all his tough talk runs at the first instance when he doesn't have henchmen to protect him. This is a short chapter book that reminded me of a junior version of Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dry British humor and amusing horror mayhem - thumbs up! Slight tendency to ridicule the smart character; naming the science teacher Mr. Nerdgoober - thumbs down. You're better than that, Mr. R. McGeddon... whoever you are ;)

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is the third in a series, readers will quickly learn of the past disasters that have occurred in Sitting Duck before jumping into the newest problem, sentient machines. The intrusive narrator adds humor to the story by interjecting funny quips into the story periodically, without taking away from the momentum of the narrative. The story is well-written, with believable dialogue and plenty of action to keep the text moving forward in quick chapters. Pen-and-ink illustrations are found throughout the book, depicting not only the story but also character profiles and guides to Sitting Duck’s world, such as “Guide to Evil Sentient Technology.” Readers in grades 4-6 looking for action, humor, and exciting villains such as evil robots will gobble up the Disaster Diaries series.

[Matt Sager]

Fun and clever. Didn’t realize it was the fourth book when I picked it up, but it was good even without having read the prior ones. Reminds me of The Last Kids on Earth. Will likely recommend it to my son when he’s older