Norby Chronicles

The Norby Chronicles (1986) is an omnibus edition containing the first two volumes in the Norby series: Norby, the Mixed-Up Robot and Norby's Other Secret. 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 Norby, the Mixed-Up Robot (1983), 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. In Norby's Other Secret (1984), Norby is wanted by the Inventors Union so that they can disassemble him to discover the secret of miniantigravity. Even Admiral Yobo wants to find out that secret, but he is considerably less ruthless that the inventors. The Admiral drops in unannounced to warn Jeff and also to eat some real food. The Admiral has a large appetite and a love of very hot spices. He is busily eating the roast chicken when a thump and a growl come from elsewhere in the apartment. Checking out the strange sounds, Jeff and the Admiral find a full-grown lion in the bedroom. After throwing the chicken to the lion and waving a chair in its face, Jeff packs sedatives into the meatloaf and throws it to the lion. During this time, Jeff's brother Fargo and Albany the policewoman show up; Albany orders an antigravity car and Norby loads the sleeping lion into it for transport to a nearby zoo. When agents of Federal Security show up to take away Norby, he and Jeff flee through hyperspace. Norby takes them back to Jamya, but this time the lady dragon Ziphyzggtmtizm welcomes them an

The Norby Chronicles 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) The three Omnibus Editions are: The Norby Chronicles (Books 1 & 2) Norby Robot for Hire (Books 3 & 4) Norby through Time and Space (Books 5 & 6) In the Norby Chronicles you meet Jeff Wells, an awkward fourteen year old boy who is trying to graduate from the Space Academy. He gets into more trouble than anybody. For example he trying to "sleep learn" Martian Swahili when he screws up the kitchen computer which translates all the recipes into Martian Swahili. That wouldn't be so bad except Admiral Yobo, the Academy Commandant, is very fond of eating. He's also fond of Jeff's older brother Fargo Wells (apparently Janet likes a good pun). Anyhow Admiral Yobo lends Jeff the money to buy a second-hand robot, which starts this adventure. You'll meet Space Pirates, Ing the Ingrate, Dragons, and sentient robots. Highly recommended for mid- to early teens and up Gunner August 2007

The Norby books are not just kids books! They are great additions to any science fiction lover's shelf. I have read the entire series several times, and it never grows old. Purchase the entire series if you can find the books.

Much of science fiction is focused on intergalactic intrigue and space warfare; huge plots that dwarf individual emotions and struggles.Not so with the Norby series. These stories are about a group of people who get the chance to travel through space and time. Each of the characters grows on the reader and there are many humorous occurences.In the first book, the main character Jeff Wells uses a voucher to purchase a new school robot. The one he chooses seems to have a mind of its own and gets offended when criticized for singing badly. Norby may not look impressive with an old nail barrel as a body, but he has certain abilities and a strange past...Jeff is a low-key teenager who is gentle, perceptive, and patient. He is the right companion for Norby who is often bossy, irritable, and mixed up. While Norby is difficult to deal with, Jeff usually remembers that his robot's feelings are easily hurt. The stories tend to revolve around this friendship but other characters such as Jeff's older brother Fargo, his girlfriend Albany Jones, and Admiral Yobo are almost always in the story as well with their own contributions to make.The Norby series is usually consigned to the children's shelf, but I believe it is excellent literature for anyone.

I read this when I was quite young. I loved it. It got me hooked on sci-fi. I really like this book. It started me off on this great genre.