But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination.
Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters-including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing-she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry. Race and ethnicity of characters other than Charlie are signaled by names and physical characteristics readers will likely infer that Charlie is white. A cliffhanger ending promises a much more action-packed sequel. The development of her powers borders on clichéd (another burning building to test the protagonist?), but the narrative picks up steam during the final pages. Once Charlie realizes that her bracelet gives her, for example, the strength of an elephant and the speed of a cheetah, she swings from fearing her newfound abilities to wanting to know more. Throughout such scenes, the author peppers in signs about Charlie’s new powers. For a majority of the first half, the novel moves slowly, which makes all the struggles of being a new girl-as when Charlie wonders if a potential friend would want to hang out-feel like monumental moments. McMann shines best here when exploring Charlie’s efforts to adapt to her new life. Trying out for the soccer team, making new friends (and a potential frenemy), and helping out on a school play also weigh on Charlie.
Her doctor mom works erratic hours as head of the town’s ER, away from home more often than not. Her former stay-at-home biologist dad now teaches at a community college. The cross-country relocation from Chicago to Navarro Junction, Arizona, changes everything for Charlie. Life gets strange for 12-year-old Charlie Wilde after she moves to a new town and finds a bracelet that grants her animal-based powers.