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Runaway Robot: From the UK Children's Laureate 2024–2026
Runaway Robot is a funny and heartwarming adventure about two best friends helping put themselves back together, from the award-winning Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton.When Alfie goes to Airport Lost Property, he finds more than he bargained for. A lot more. Because there's a giant robot called Eric hidden away on the shelves. Eric has lost one leg and half his memory. He's super strong, but super clumsy. He's convinced that he's the latest technology, when he's actually nearly one hundred year's old and ready for the scrap heap.Can Alfie find a way to save Eric from destruction – before Eric destroys everything around him?
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2019
19 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Frank Cottrell Boyce
80 books265 followersFrank Cottrell Boyce is a British screenwriter, novelist and occasional actor.
In addition to original scripts, Cottrell Boyce has also adapted novels for the screen and written children's fiction, winning the 2004 Carnegie Medal for his debut, Millions, based on his own screenplay for the film of the same name.
His novel Framed was shortlisted for the Whitbread Book of the Year as well as the Carnegie Medal.
He adapted the novel into a screenplay for a 2009 BBC television film. His 2009 novel Cosmic has also been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.
He is married and the father of seven children.
In addition to original scripts, Cottrell Boyce has also adapted novels for the screen and written children's fiction, winning the 2004 Carnegie Medal for his debut, Millions, based on his own screenplay for the film of the same name.
His novel Framed was shortlisted for the Whitbread Book of the Year as well as the Carnegie Medal.
He adapted the novel into a screenplay for a 2009 BBC television film. His 2009 novel Cosmic has also been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.
He is married and the father of seven children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 24, 2020
4.5 stars
Funny, original, melt your heart story.
Runaway Robot is a little different to the children’s books I usually read as this one is set in the future and features kids with artificial limbs and… robots.
A super cool, out of this world book about a 6 ft plus clumsy robot causing all types of mayhem, a determined little boy learning how to use his bionic hand, automated buses, a pizza delivery robot - not your average robot but one that says ‘Buon Appetito!’ when it arrives with your pizza and Dusthogs - robots that clean the streets.
Huge fun and cheery… just what the doctor ordered in this current climate.
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2020: #11 - A book with a robot, cyborg or AI character
Funny, original, melt your heart story.
Runaway Robot is a little different to the children’s books I usually read as this one is set in the future and features kids with artificial limbs and… robots.
A super cool, out of this world book about a 6 ft plus clumsy robot causing all types of mayhem, a determined little boy learning how to use his bionic hand, automated buses, a pizza delivery robot - not your average robot but one that says ‘Buon Appetito!’ when it arrives with your pizza and Dusthogs - robots that clean the streets.
Huge fun and cheery… just what the doctor ordered in this current climate.
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2020: #11 - A book with a robot, cyborg or AI character
July 13, 2019
This review first appeared on scifiandscary.com
‘Runaway Robot’ is a children’s comedy adventure novel that reads a bit like David Walliams reworking ‘The Iron Giant’. For the most part, it’s fine, but it’s messily conceived and lack the kind of narrative or imaginative spark that can make books like this great.
It tells the story of Alfie, a young boy with a prosthetic hand, who finds a giant humanoid robot at the Lost Property office at the airport. There follows a predictable enough series of thrills and pratfalls before an emotionally uplifting conclusion. It contains, then, all the elements that you’d expect in a modern kid’s book, and it is, at times, very funny. Unfortunately, good gags aren’t enough to carry it.
Now obviously, I’m far from the target audience for the book. In fact, I’m over 30 years away from being the target audience, but I’ve read enough children’s books with my son to know that plot and characterisation are just as important in children’s literature as they are in books for adults. ‘Runaway Robot’ is fun enough, but nothing in it made me care about what was happening.
The plot (such as it is) left me absolutely cold. It’s full of wild coincidences and a confusing mess of ideas that makes it hard to decide what it’s really about. There’s also an absence of the kind of joyous inventiveness that marks out the best children’s literature, and the fantastic events of the story end up feeling silly rather than wondrous.
All of that might not have killed the book, if the people in it had been more sympathetic. Sadly, even by the standards of current children’s lit-supremo Walliams (who I think is really over-rated), the characters are slight. Cottrell-Boyce doesn’t fall into the same trap of using lazy stereotypes that Walliams does, but his characters don’t live at all. They’re one dimensional and pretty dull.
Ultimately, then, I kept turning the pages just so I could get it finished, rather than because I actually cared about what was happening. It’s target audience might find more to enjoy here, but I’m afraid that aside from a few chuckles I didn’t like it much at all.
‘Runaway Robot’ is a children’s comedy adventure novel that reads a bit like David Walliams reworking ‘The Iron Giant’. For the most part, it’s fine, but it’s messily conceived and lack the kind of narrative or imaginative spark that can make books like this great.
It tells the story of Alfie, a young boy with a prosthetic hand, who finds a giant humanoid robot at the Lost Property office at the airport. There follows a predictable enough series of thrills and pratfalls before an emotionally uplifting conclusion. It contains, then, all the elements that you’d expect in a modern kid’s book, and it is, at times, very funny. Unfortunately, good gags aren’t enough to carry it.
Now obviously, I’m far from the target audience for the book. In fact, I’m over 30 years away from being the target audience, but I’ve read enough children’s books with my son to know that plot and characterisation are just as important in children’s literature as they are in books for adults. ‘Runaway Robot’ is fun enough, but nothing in it made me care about what was happening.
The plot (such as it is) left me absolutely cold. It’s full of wild coincidences and a confusing mess of ideas that makes it hard to decide what it’s really about. There’s also an absence of the kind of joyous inventiveness that marks out the best children’s literature, and the fantastic events of the story end up feeling silly rather than wondrous.
All of that might not have killed the book, if the people in it had been more sympathetic. Sadly, even by the standards of current children’s lit-supremo Walliams (who I think is really over-rated), the characters are slight. Cottrell-Boyce doesn’t fall into the same trap of using lazy stereotypes that Walliams does, but his characters don’t live at all. They’re one dimensional and pretty dull.
Ultimately, then, I kept turning the pages just so I could get it finished, rather than because I actually cared about what was happening. It’s target audience might find more to enjoy here, but I’m afraid that aside from a few chuckles I didn’t like it much at all.
August 7, 2021
This was a thoughtful, funny and timely book, yet it didn't quite 'do' it for me (whatever 'it' is).
In fact it was only the afterword by FCB, telling the reader that Eric was an actual robot, that made me lift the rating to 3*.
Illustrated with a black main character (entirely irrelevant), touching on both diversity and ableism, some great flashes of FCB's brilliant humour but I didn't love it. I hope lots of kids do though.
In fact it was only the afterword by FCB, telling the reader that Eric was an actual robot, that made me lift the rating to 3*.
Illustrated with a black main character (entirely irrelevant), touching on both diversity and ableism, some great flashes of FCB's brilliant humour but I didn't love it. I hope lots of kids do though.
October 17, 2024
Frank Cottrell-Boyce is a genius! Everyone should read anything he writes! This was great fun, full of laughs and sweet moments as well. I appreciated his notes at the end about where the idea came from. This one is a real page turner. Very captivating!
March 17, 2024
Runaway Robot
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.28/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 6
Writing - 7
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 6
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.28/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 6
Writing - 7
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 6
July 4, 2020
A futuristic world that doesn't seem very different to ours, despite all the mostly disappointing (in Alfie's opinion) robots!
August 26, 2020
I have really enjoyed reading Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s previous books so was excited to dive into his latest read. Runaway Robot is a highly amusing tale of a boy and a robot that addresses issues of artificial intelligence and how the world of the future might be.
Alfie can’t face going to school today so heads for his favourite place, the airport. Everyone in airport arrivals is waiting for someone, except Alfie. When he attracts unwanted attention and he loses his prosthetic hand he finds himself at Lost Property and this is where he meets Eric. Eric is an extremely polite, rather large and very literal robot that Alfie quickly forms an attachment to and before long the pair find themselves in the outside world. But the outside sees Eric as a threat and Alfie needs to be kept him out of sight.
Keeping Eric secret is no easy task and with Eric’s penchant for causing chaos and destruction wherever he goes it is only a matter of time before the authorities will capture him and he is sent to R-U-Recycling where he will be crushed into a small metal cube. Can Alfie keep Eric safe and solve the mystery of who Eric is and where he came from…
Frank Cottrell-Boyce does what he does best in this heart-warming and funny read which reminded me of the Iron Giant in parts. Set in a futuristic world that doesn’t feel that dissimilar to the one we live in now, the read is packed with tech stuff of the present and the future. There are cool artificial limbs that can be created using 3D printers and operated via mind control, Bluetooth technology for tracking lost limbs, robots that deliver pizzas and do the cleaning, talking appliances, self-driving buses and delivery drones.
Cottrell-Boyce knows his target audience and I loved the references to FaceTime, selfies, YouTube, Iron Man, Marvel, LEGO and Harry Potter. Expect humour, mystery, mayhem and fun in this fast-paced adventure. There is plenty going on within the narrative - the mystery of Eric, Alfie trying to master the use of his prosthetic hand and a surprise twist that occurs later on in story (no spoiler here, you’ll have to read for yourself).
The cast of characters is a refreshing change. Alfie is a BAME amputee - a much under-represented people in children’s literature and the supporting characters are also child amputees who are the victims of war (this ties in nicely as these children have all been fitted with next-gen prosthetic limbs from the Limb Lab).
The read provide lots of scope for discussion around issues of robots, robots with human emotions, and whether robots and humans can live alongside one another. There are lots of pros and cons to artificial intelligence and this book is a great lead into such a topic for young readers.
Recommended for 8+.
Alfie can’t face going to school today so heads for his favourite place, the airport. Everyone in airport arrivals is waiting for someone, except Alfie. When he attracts unwanted attention and he loses his prosthetic hand he finds himself at Lost Property and this is where he meets Eric. Eric is an extremely polite, rather large and very literal robot that Alfie quickly forms an attachment to and before long the pair find themselves in the outside world. But the outside sees Eric as a threat and Alfie needs to be kept him out of sight.
Keeping Eric secret is no easy task and with Eric’s penchant for causing chaos and destruction wherever he goes it is only a matter of time before the authorities will capture him and he is sent to R-U-Recycling where he will be crushed into a small metal cube. Can Alfie keep Eric safe and solve the mystery of who Eric is and where he came from…
Frank Cottrell-Boyce does what he does best in this heart-warming and funny read which reminded me of the Iron Giant in parts. Set in a futuristic world that doesn’t feel that dissimilar to the one we live in now, the read is packed with tech stuff of the present and the future. There are cool artificial limbs that can be created using 3D printers and operated via mind control, Bluetooth technology for tracking lost limbs, robots that deliver pizzas and do the cleaning, talking appliances, self-driving buses and delivery drones.
Cottrell-Boyce knows his target audience and I loved the references to FaceTime, selfies, YouTube, Iron Man, Marvel, LEGO and Harry Potter. Expect humour, mystery, mayhem and fun in this fast-paced adventure. There is plenty going on within the narrative - the mystery of Eric, Alfie trying to master the use of his prosthetic hand and a surprise twist that occurs later on in story (no spoiler here, you’ll have to read for yourself).
The cast of characters is a refreshing change. Alfie is a BAME amputee - a much under-represented people in children’s literature and the supporting characters are also child amputees who are the victims of war (this ties in nicely as these children have all been fitted with next-gen prosthetic limbs from the Limb Lab).
The read provide lots of scope for discussion around issues of robots, robots with human emotions, and whether robots and humans can live alongside one another. There are lots of pros and cons to artificial intelligence and this book is a great lead into such a topic for young readers.
Recommended for 8+.
February 16, 2026
Am crescut cu o bibliotecă aflată la început în debara, iar apoi, când intrasem în adolescență, într-o cameră a ei, din care m-am putut răsfăța să-mi aleg ce-mi poftea inima, cu catalog alfabetic, și pe rafturi, făcut de către tatăl meu.
Cum începuturile însă au fost mai vitrege, deși tata mi-a tot cumpărat cărți de copii, eu n-am știut ce cărți avem și ce n-avem. Și cumva tot ce îmi punea tata în mână nu era la fel de frumos ca ce se găsea la biblioteca școlii. Acolo erau aventuri, nu tot povești și mituri, și cărți serioase cu copii de lemn, orfani sau săraci.
Când am furat cartea Robotul meu fugar de la fetița de 9 ani de la care fur eu cărți pentru copii, deja la prima pagina mi-a trecut un gând prin cap: "Așa aș putea să scriu și eu". Nu fiindcă ar fi scrisă prost, ci cumva foarte la obiect. Și cu gânduri logice. De exemplu: dacă vrei să chiulești de la școală ca să stai în aeroport și să nu zbori nici unde, trebuie să știi foarte bine unde nu zbori. Și e plină de aventuri care se prăvălesc peste cititor, la fel ca toate cărțile pe care tata nu mi le-a dat să le citesc. Nostalgii.
Dar printre aventurile astea, Robotul e o carte cu mult suflet. Are durere, și maturizare, și acceptare, și vindecare, și o idee foarte frumoasă la final, care e de fapt provenită din realitate, și care l-a inspirat pe autor la scrierea acestei cărti. Mi s-a dus direct in inimă.
Observație:
Fetiței de la care am furat-o nu-i place. Încă se chinuie cu căte un capitolaș pe săptămână. La 9 ani, e probabil și evadarea din povești care dor, dar și faptul că încă nu are vocabularul tehnic necesar ințelegerii. Probabil băieți de 9 ani care să-l cunoască, există. Cartea le-a fost recomandată tuturor copiilor din clasă, ca lectură de vacanță.
Cum începuturile însă au fost mai vitrege, deși tata mi-a tot cumpărat cărți de copii, eu n-am știut ce cărți avem și ce n-avem. Și cumva tot ce îmi punea tata în mână nu era la fel de frumos ca ce se găsea la biblioteca școlii. Acolo erau aventuri, nu tot povești și mituri, și cărți serioase cu copii de lemn, orfani sau săraci.
Când am furat cartea Robotul meu fugar de la fetița de 9 ani de la care fur eu cărți pentru copii, deja la prima pagina mi-a trecut un gând prin cap: "Așa aș putea să scriu și eu". Nu fiindcă ar fi scrisă prost, ci cumva foarte la obiect. Și cu gânduri logice. De exemplu: dacă vrei să chiulești de la școală ca să stai în aeroport și să nu zbori nici unde, trebuie să știi foarte bine unde nu zbori. Și e plină de aventuri care se prăvălesc peste cititor, la fel ca toate cărțile pe care tata nu mi le-a dat să le citesc. Nostalgii.
Dar printre aventurile astea, Robotul e o carte cu mult suflet. Are durere, și maturizare, și acceptare, și vindecare, și o idee foarte frumoasă la final, care e de fapt provenită din realitate, și care l-a inspirat pe autor la scrierea acestei cărti. Mi s-a dus direct in inimă.
Observație:
Fetiței de la care am furat-o nu-i place. Încă se chinuie cu căte un capitolaș pe săptămână. La 9 ani, e probabil și evadarea din povești care dor, dar și faptul că încă nu are vocabularul tehnic necesar ințelegerii. Probabil băieți de 9 ani care să-l cunoască, există. Cartea le-a fost recomandată tuturor copiilor din clasă, ca lectură de vacanță.
October 5, 2023
Since his accident, Alfie doesn’t much like being at his new special school, which is training him to use his new prosthetic hand. So he skips school sometimes and goes to the airport. But a kid, by himself, at the airport will call attention, so while escaping a suspicious adult, Alfie ends up in the Lost Property office, where he sees a robot, missing one leg, who he escapes with. The robot–named Eric–can’t seem to tell Alfie about where he came from, but he makes a mean cup of tea and rescuing Eric gives Alfie purpose. Eric was seen on their way back to Alfie’s house and now an escaped robot is all over the news, and people are after him.
While Alfie tries to hide Eric from his mother, from their robot vacuum, and from the town, eventually with help from the other kids from his special school, he starts to become more comfortable with his own disability, and eventually, he remembers what happened to him. It was really great to see a kid with a disability portrayed as not feeling sorry for himself, not mad at the world, although frustrated by his situation. His mother is really supportive, and while part of the message is that healing takes time, another part is that it can be good sometimes to focus on people (or robots) other than ourselves constantly. In this slightly futuristic England with little self-driving robots delivering pizza, Alfie learns that he can’t do everything by himself, and it’s okay to need help. And the message is delivered kindly, not didactically, and with humor.
This book is published by Macmillan Children’s Books UK, which is distributed by Macmillan US, my employer, so I got the book for free.
While Alfie tries to hide Eric from his mother, from their robot vacuum, and from the town, eventually with help from the other kids from his special school, he starts to become more comfortable with his own disability, and eventually, he remembers what happened to him. It was really great to see a kid with a disability portrayed as not feeling sorry for himself, not mad at the world, although frustrated by his situation. His mother is really supportive, and while part of the message is that healing takes time, another part is that it can be good sometimes to focus on people (or robots) other than ourselves constantly. In this slightly futuristic England with little self-driving robots delivering pizza, Alfie learns that he can’t do everything by himself, and it’s okay to need help. And the message is delivered kindly, not didactically, and with humor.
This book is published by Macmillan Children’s Books UK, which is distributed by Macmillan US, my employer, so I got the book for free.
May 27, 2019
Alfie has had an accident, about which he can remember nothing. He does know that he can't return to school until he can manage to manipulate his new prosthetic hand, fitted at the Limb Lab. This is a world in which robots are present to help humans with many household and other chores. AI controlling lives in useful and humourous ways. Alfie's Mum talks to her cleaning robot and gets robot envy at other more sophisticated devices.
But Alfie is unhappy that other children at the Limb Lab are able to grasp their new limbs when he cannot. So he skips 'classes' and takes himself off to his place of comfort - the Airport. There in lost property he finds Eric - a one legged six foot robot, a leg - but not at the same time, but then loses his own prosthetic hand.
This is a mad adventure to reunite Eric with his leg, Alfie with his hand, whilst saving Eric from the scrap heap all the adults are determined that Eric will be banished to.
Alfie makes friends along the way - human, not all robotic, and manages to uncover memories of his accident. This is a novel for a wide range of readers. It will read well being told to a group, or being read by children themselves. There is plenty of humour, adventure and mystery, and a warm, satisfying ending. The illustrations by Steven Lenton in finished copies are great. Traditional looking robots with personality! The cover attracts and the contents don't disappoint.
But Alfie is unhappy that other children at the Limb Lab are able to grasp their new limbs when he cannot. So he skips 'classes' and takes himself off to his place of comfort - the Airport. There in lost property he finds Eric - a one legged six foot robot, a leg - but not at the same time, but then loses his own prosthetic hand.
This is a mad adventure to reunite Eric with his leg, Alfie with his hand, whilst saving Eric from the scrap heap all the adults are determined that Eric will be banished to.
Alfie makes friends along the way - human, not all robotic, and manages to uncover memories of his accident. This is a novel for a wide range of readers. It will read well being told to a group, or being read by children themselves. There is plenty of humour, adventure and mystery, and a warm, satisfying ending. The illustrations by Steven Lenton in finished copies are great. Traditional looking robots with personality! The cover attracts and the contents don't disappoint.
May 25, 2019
Alfie is quite a lost and lonely soul. He is off school after an accident in which he lost both his hand and his confidence. He takes to taking the bus and hanging out in the arrivals lounge at the airport; although it does take some skills to avoid detection from the authorities. When one day his presence is challenged it leads to an encounter with Eric, a giant one-legged robot in need of a friend. Alfie makes the decision to bring him home with him but a ban on humanoid robots has just been passed, which means Alfie is breaking the law by sheltering Eric. Eric is problematic - he has excellent manners and is polite and courteous; however, he takes instructions literally and that causes a whole lot of problems. They make a charming pair as together they tryy to remember how they each lost their missing body part! Set in a future where the world is highly automated it is a novel which raises issues of humanity, machines and our future roles together. As our world gets closer and closer to a more automated future it is a timely novel for discussion of serious topics of artificial intelligence and science and what makes us human.
Suitable for 8+, AI, artifical limbs, automation, grief, accidents, loss of limbs,
Suitable for 8+, AI, artifical limbs, automation, grief, accidents, loss of limbs,
June 1, 2020
I read and loved some of Frank Cottrell Boyce's books as a child and I'm so pleased that I enjoyed this one just as much. Runaway Robot follows Alfie, a boy with a prosthetic hand - the result of an accident he can't remember, and Eric, a robot Alfie finds in the Lost and Found section of the airport. This funny and fast paced book also has an aspect of mystery as we experience Alfie's memories of his accident coming back to him. I think this would be great to have in the classroom as it would be especially entertaining for any children with an interest in robots, or it would be a great opening book to start a topic on technology, as this is a big feature of the book throughout. Additionally, there are some lovely illustrations throughout the book that make the story an even more engrossing adventure.
July 12, 2019
Normalising artificial limbs, an entertaining 'robot' story.
A very enjoyable Audible listen, my eight-year-old is still talking about it, weeks later. Wonderful to have heroes with artificial limbs as funny and real characters.
Alfie escapes school one day, ending up at the airport and the Lost Property department. Himself a recipient of an artificial arm, he ends up discovering a hidden robot on the shelves, also missing a leg. A rather eccentric robot called Eric. Who doesn't know why he's there. A cross between Kryten (Red Dwarf - pompous and forever quoting roles) and Buzz Lightyear (he thinks he's new and state-of-the-art), Eric and Alfie end up helping each other, as these stories often go.
With lots of funny scenes about a strong but oblivious robot causing mayhem, and a rather grand way about him that made us laugh, we really liked Eric. His stilted voice came over as very funny in the audiobook. And Alfie, with his detailed description of his missing arm, how he copes, his time with other similar children, made an appealing protagonist.
The history of robotics contained inside the story was also rather fascinating and my son had never even considered this side of a robot before, how old the technology might be. And to be honest, I learned something too.
As ever from Cottrell Boyce, well-developed characters and an engaging storyline. Suitable for ages 8-12. We would recommend the audio version, a very easy listen with a narrator talented and children's and robots' voices.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
A very enjoyable Audible listen, my eight-year-old is still talking about it, weeks later. Wonderful to have heroes with artificial limbs as funny and real characters.
Alfie escapes school one day, ending up at the airport and the Lost Property department. Himself a recipient of an artificial arm, he ends up discovering a hidden robot on the shelves, also missing a leg. A rather eccentric robot called Eric. Who doesn't know why he's there. A cross between Kryten (Red Dwarf - pompous and forever quoting roles) and Buzz Lightyear (he thinks he's new and state-of-the-art), Eric and Alfie end up helping each other, as these stories often go.
With lots of funny scenes about a strong but oblivious robot causing mayhem, and a rather grand way about him that made us laugh, we really liked Eric. His stilted voice came over as very funny in the audiobook. And Alfie, with his detailed description of his missing arm, how he copes, his time with other similar children, made an appealing protagonist.
The history of robotics contained inside the story was also rather fascinating and my son had never even considered this side of a robot before, how old the technology might be. And to be honest, I learned something too.
As ever from Cottrell Boyce, well-developed characters and an engaging storyline. Suitable for ages 8-12. We would recommend the audio version, a very easy listen with a narrator talented and children's and robots' voices.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
April 30, 2019
** I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Books to review**
I absolutely loved this book! Filled to the brim with Frank Cottrell-Boyce's trademark humour, this book had an excellent protagonist who drove the plot along throughout. Eric is a brilliant character and the timing of a number of his lines had me snorting with laughter. As well as being funny, there are some emotional moments, and I particularly liked the development of the plot as the book neared its conclusion. All in all, I would highly recommend this book!
I absolutely loved this book! Filled to the brim with Frank Cottrell-Boyce's trademark humour, this book had an excellent protagonist who drove the plot along throughout. Eric is a brilliant character and the timing of a number of his lines had me snorting with laughter. As well as being funny, there are some emotional moments, and I particularly liked the development of the plot as the book neared its conclusion. All in all, I would highly recommend this book!
July 3, 2019
** I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Books to review**
I absolutely loved this book! Filled to the brim with Frank Cottrell-Boyce's trademark humour, this book had an excellent protagonist who drove the plot along throughout. Eric is a brilliant character and the timing of a number of his lines had me snorting with laughter. As well as being funny, there are some emotional moments, and I particularly liked the development of the plot as the book neared its conclusion. All in all, I would highly recommend this book!
I absolutely loved this book! Filled to the brim with Frank Cottrell-Boyce's trademark humour, this book had an excellent protagonist who drove the plot along throughout. Eric is a brilliant character and the timing of a number of his lines had me snorting with laughter. As well as being funny, there are some emotional moments, and I particularly liked the development of the plot as the book neared its conclusion. All in all, I would highly recommend this book!
November 28, 2020
I have read this book as part of a book club I run at the school I work.
I will be honest, I struggled with the first half of this book, I found it quite dull and I was waiting for something... but I didn’t know what, the author had place the tiniest amount of intrigue that sparked my interest but it soon fizzled out. The second half was much better. Looking back over the whole book and rating it as a whole, it was ok!
I will be honest, I struggled with the first half of this book, I found it quite dull and I was waiting for something... but I didn’t know what, the author had place the tiniest amount of intrigue that sparked my interest but it soon fizzled out. The second half was much better. Looking back over the whole book and rating it as a whole, it was ok!
March 12, 2022
Alfie finds a robot called Eric. Eric was found with only one leg. Eric becomes an obedient servant but takes things literally. For example, when Eric picked up a girl, the girl said, put me down. Eric immediately dropped her from 2meters above the ground. (Erik was 2m tall). Many funny moments like this in the book!
Alfie too had one mechanic hand but hadn’t learnt how to move it yet. This makes him part robotic too! A beautiful story about a robotic bond!
Alfie too had one mechanic hand but hadn’t learnt how to move it yet. This makes him part robotic too! A beautiful story about a robotic bond!
June 26, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Sometimes Cottrell-Boyce's books are a good fit for my library, and sometimes they seem both too young and too long for my readers, in a particularly goofy way. The same holds true of David Walliams' work. I would love to see a book about a character with a prosthetic hand, but feel that a more realistic one would appeal to my readers. This would be a good choice for strong elementary readers who like humorous books with illustrations.
Sometimes Cottrell-Boyce's books are a good fit for my library, and sometimes they seem both too young and too long for my readers, in a particularly goofy way. The same holds true of David Walliams' work. I would love to see a book about a character with a prosthetic hand, but feel that a more realistic one would appeal to my readers. This would be a good choice for strong elementary readers who like humorous books with illustrations.
May 12, 2020
Found that this was a difficult book to read. Wasn't overly gripping until the second half. Don't think I'd read aloud in the classroom as a lot of children would not be interested. But wouldn't mind having it in my classroom library for children who are particularly interested in robots.
Good for year 4+
Good for year 4+
November 25, 2019
FRAMED is still my fave @frankcottrell_b book but this comes a close second. Skillfully constructed with a genius twist and that trademark Cottrell-Boyce humour, RUNAWAY ROBOT has important things to say about what it means to be a robot (and a human). 5 stars.
July 14, 2020
One I read for work. Text was chosen for comprehension questions and it wasn't all that great of a resource text- was having to scrape the barrel to be honest. Story itself is better as a discussion point for robotics, themes of ability/disability, casualities of war rather than weekly comprehension questions.
December 31, 2020
Another hilarious stunner from Frank Cottrell Boyce, suitable for ages 8 and up I would say. Much more up-to-date than some of his other books, and with a couple of good learning points (e.g. landmines in Bosnia, dealing with the loss of a limb)
September 13, 2021
My sons (ages 7 and 9) and I really enjoyed this book. The story kept unfolding in intriguing ways which held our interest right to the very end. A great one to stretch out over several weeks of bedtimes.
June 2, 2025
🎧 w/ children (rated by my children).
Both my boys enjoyed this story. It takes a while to get going and for me to connect with it, but when we got going there were proper out loud moments in the book.
Listened to on a 6 hour car journey back from Cornwall.
Both my boys enjoyed this story. It takes a while to get going and for me to connect with it, but when we got going there were proper out loud moments in the book.
Listened to on a 6 hour car journey back from Cornwall.
April 19, 2019
Lovely story within a story about friendship, hope, humanity, purpose... and robots.
September 26, 2019
A delightful book. It's original, funny, poignant and exciting. I loved it!
November 3, 2019
I read this to my son, we both laughed out all the way through. We both cried at the end. It's a book that's full of fun and full of heart.
November 12, 2019
Picked it off the shelf cos it matched my jumper. Turned out to be a cracker! Amputee children, landmines, robots...how do you even make that so funny?
November 30, 2019
Original, witty & heartwarming.
October 22, 2020
Read at bedtime with 8 year old daughter. An excellent read aloud book and whilst it was exciting and adventurous and at times sad, it was also a thought provoking book.
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