More Great Reads for Young Readers, Nostalgia Edition

Recently, I convinced my now 11-year-old reluctant reader to pick up some science fiction novels. But there is a catch… these are books I read as a child. Not just the same title by the same author, but the exact same copies!

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More Great Reads for Young Readers, Nostalgia Edition

That's right! Not only are these gems by Alfred Slote the same copies that I read, each one is signed—LOL. 1989…good god, that's—let me pull out my calculator—37 years ago! Mr. Slote died some years ago, but I'm sure his authorial spirit is pleased that his slender sci-fi adventure stories about a boy and his robot are still getting kids to read.

I tried to get my reluctant reader working on these novels for a year or more before he finally caved in and read the first book in the series, My Robot Buddy (which he thoroughly enjoyed, BTW). What I didn't expect was how much of the story I recalled. I read them all with my mother when I was probably about my boy's age. Also, I didn't expect to find the stories so much fun as an adult. I don't think you can find these books any longer, but a publisher, Slote's estate, or his descendants should put them out in an e-book edition. Children of a certain age will still find them engrossing, and so will any parent with a liking for science fiction.

My Robot Buddy

In the first book in the series, single child Jack yearns for a robot companion. After much pining, he receives a robot buddy named Danny. The only problem is, the robosnatchers want Danny too. 

My reluctant reader thoroughly enjoyed this adventure tale, and I was surprised by how much of the story I fondly recalled.

My Trip to Alpha I

I believe this is the third book in the series. I, however, either never owned the second book or my copy was lost to time. Regardless, this is another fun one, which my reluctant reader and I enjoyed. In this yarn, Jack and Danny travel to the space station Alpha I to discover what's happening to all the robots that are disappearing under mysterious circumstances.

The Trouble on Janus

On Janus, an evil duke attempts to usurp power from his nephew. Danny is sent as an undercover robot buddy to figure out what's going on, but at the last minute, Jack must take Danny's place due to a disguise mix-up. This one is another ripping good yarn that we both enjoyed.

These books are sure to please 9 to 11-year-olds, especially boys who enjoy sci-fi. The tales harken back to the old sci-fi flicks from the 1950's and 60's, full of adventure and good clean fun.