Maya and the Robot by Eve L. Ewing is a great book for kids with an interest in STEM or any reader transitioning from  young readers to middle grade novels. This was such a fun read that hooked me from page one!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you click on and/or purchase from some links, I make a portion of the sale. This helps keep Bitch Bookshelf running.

Find out more about how I review books here.

The summary, from Amazon:

From award-winning author Eve L. Ewing comes an illustrated middle grade novel about a forgotten homemade robot who comes to life just when aspiring fifth-grade scientist Maya needs a friend — and a science fair project.

Maya’s nervous about fifth grade. She tries to keep calm by reminding herself she knows what to expect. But then she learns that this year won’t be anything like the last. For the first time since kindergarten, her best friends Jada and MJ are placed in a different class without her, and introverted Maya has trouble making new friends.

She tries to put on a brave face since they are in fifth grade now, but Maya is nervous! Just when too much seems to be changing, she finds a robot named Ralph in the back of Mr. Mac’s convenience store closet. Once she uses her science skills to get him up and running, a whole new world of connection opens up as Ralph becomes a member of her family and Maya begins to step into her power. In this touching novel, Eve L. Ewing melds together a story about community, adapting to change, and the magic of ingenuity that reminds young readers that they can always turn to their own curiosity when feeling lost.

Buy Maya and the Robot here.

The hilarious, chaotic beginning to Maya and the Robot – a food fight leaving our main character, Maya, an anxious mess – grabbed me right away. We soon get the background story to this event. Maya helps out at Mr. Mac’s convenience store sometimes. While cleaning out his supply closet, they discover a robot created by his son Christopher years ago. Maya decides to fix up Ralph, the robot in question, due to her interest in science. Soon she has a new friend who helps with chores at home. But when she takes Ralph to school to help with her science project, chaos ensues!
Maya and the Robot covers so many topics and does it in an organic way. The connection Maya feels to Mr. Mac’s son Christopher is touching, and the later chapters that got into some details about Mr. Mac’s history were very emotional. I also loved the homages to classic children’s books sprinkled throughout the pages. This was a 5 star read for me and I highly recommend it.

Find out more about how I rate books here.

Maya and the RobotMaya and the Robot by Eve L. Ewing
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This STEM-focused book touches on so many topics and does it so organically!

View all my reviews

Book Club Questions

  1. Were you surprised about what happened to Christopher?
  2. Would you like to have a robot like Ralph? Why or why not?
  3. Describe Maya’s friendships with Jada and MJ. How do her friendships with these kids compare to her friendships with Ralph? With an adult like Mr. Mac?

Interested? Buy Maya and the Robot.
And don’t forget to add me as a friend on Goodreads!

robot costume