Norby the Mixed-Up Robot

Norby, the Mixed-Up Robot (1983) is the first SF novel in the Norby Series. Norby is the product of McGillicuddy -- a genius level space explorer -- who found an alien spaceship in the asteroid belt. Norby was constructed in a stainless steel barrel used to transport nails and has various and sundry components from the alien ship. In this novel, Cadet Jeff Wells is really in trouble. While trying to use the main computer network to sleep-learn Martian Swahili, he accidentally scrambled the recipes in the kitchen computer. Federation Security Agent Two Gidlow intends to take Jeff back to headquarters to probe his brain for the presence of any classified material. Admiral Yobo of Space Command is skeptical of Agent Gidlow's charges. He calls Jeff's older brother -- Farley Gordon Wells -- and discusses the situation with him. Fargo suggests that Jeff be sent home by matter transmitter as soon as possible. Admiral Yobo tells Jeff to do as Fargo says and even gives him some credits to buy a used teaching robot so that he can learn Martian Swahili. Jeff packs -- not hard with the little allowed a cadet -- and heads home. After dropping his stuff off at home, he heads out to buy a teaching robot. The salesman tries to talk Jeff into putting a down payment on a newer model, but Jeff finds Norby behind all the other robots and buys him for a reasonable amount. It helps that Norby had not been talking to the salesman and was therefore thought to have failing faculties. Jeff immediately takes Norby home with him. In this story, Norby displays some unusual properties, including a lack of the usual three laws of robotics. He doesn't obey commands very well, but tries to protect Jeff and himself. He is also good-natured, but his feelings are easily hurt. Fargo does not come home to meet Jeff for the summer solstice rites. Shortly before sunrise, Norby wakes Jeff and takes him to Central Park. Jeff is rather surprised by the method, since Norby has a very small anti-gravity device concealed within his barrel. Jeff enjoys the ride, but Norby complains about power usage. When they reach the park, Norby has a little trouble with the landing. It is survivable, but somewhat erratic. Jeff lands on his hands and knees in mud and Norby lands in the fish pond. When Norby soars up out of the pond, he rotates and showers Jess with pond water. Despite this mishap, Jess leads Norby to the proper site. They wait for Fargo, but he doesn't appear. Suddenly three men run out on the high walkway. Fargo seems to be running away from two men. Jeff has Norby lift them over the two pursuers and then they drop on the men, knocking them unconscious. The two men are henchmen of Ing the Ingrate, wannabe Emperor of the Solar System. Fargo uses their own truth wand to learn something of the situation. Then a cop shows up in an anti-gravity car and insists on taking in Fargo and Ing's men. Jeff leaves for home. Then things start getting really complicate

Norby the Mixed- Up Robot First, let me say that the Norby series is an ideal way to introduce Science Fiction to a young adult or to a middle school student. My guess is that boys will like this series more than girls, but what the hey, maybe girls would like it as well. It is written by Janet Asimov, Isaac Asimov's wife. As I'm sure you know Isaac Asimov was the Father of Science Fiction Robots. (The Robots of Dawn, the Caves of Steel, the Complete Robot, etc). He's the one who invented the three laws of Robotics; in fact, he coined the phrase Robotics. Now as to the age of the reader. I would guess that a bright seventh grader would enjoy this series. Jeff Wells, the protagonist is fourteen, that's probably a good mid-range age for the reader. I believe that reading science fiction can expand one's vocabulary and expose one to some new and fascinating ideas; also, it can expand one's sense of wonder and help create a love of reading. In this book Norby battles against Ing the Ingrate. Now I don't know about you ,but I don't believe that "ingrate" was in my lexicon in the seventh grade. This book reveals that Norby has certain special capabilities, such as the ability to feel emotions and anti-gravity capabilities. He can also go into hyper-space. To date the series contains the following books, not including the omnibus editions which have their own titles: * Norby, the Mixed-Up Robot (1983) * Norby's Other Secret (1984) * Norby and the Lost Princess (1985) * Norby and the Invaders (1985) * Norby and the Queen's Necklace (1986) * Norby Finds a Villain (1987) * Norby Down to Earth (1988) * Norby and Yobo's Great Adventure (1989) * Norby and the Oldest Dragon (1990) * Norby and the Court Jester (1991) Omnibus Editions: The Norby Chronicles (Books 1 & 2) Norby Robot for Hire (Books 3 & 4) Norby through Time and Space (Books 5 & 6) I highly recommend this book, especially for young adults. Gunner, August,2007