MAYA AND THE ROBOT

Narrator Bahni Turpin embraces every emotional moment in this inspiring story for middle-grade science and IT enthusiasts. Maya's excitement to start fifth grade in a "science fair year" quickly fades when her two best friends move to a different teacher's class. Struggling with loneliness and self-doubt, she finds everything discouraging--until she discovers a homemade robot named Ralph. With Ralph's support, and that of her family and community, she learns to work through difficulties, be herself, and stay true to her passions. Turpin's spirited first-person narration perfectly expresses Maya's creative energy--whether she's filled with joy or crying tears of sadness and frustration. Overall, Turpin infuses the diverse characters, including Ralph, with distinct and relatable personalities, creating a memorable listening experience. S.A.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2021]