An all-ages adventure by the three-time Nebula nominee: “Cog is a gem of a robot, and his robotic observations are comedic gold. Readers will be charmed.” —Booklist
 
Five robots are on a mission to rescue their inventor from the corporation that controls them all—and their programming will never be the same . . .
 
Cog looks like a normal twelve-year-old boy. But his name is short for “cognitive development,” and he was built to learn. After an accident leaves him damaged, Cog wakes up in an unknown lab—and Gina, the scientist who created and cared for him, is nowhere to be found. Surrounded by scientists who want to study him and remove his brain, Cog recruits four robot accomplices for a mission to find her.
 
Cog, ADA, Proto, Trashbot, and Car’s journey will likely involve much cognitive development in the form of mistakes, but Cog is willing to risk everything to find his way back to Gina . . .
In this delightful adventure, the author of The Boy at the End of the World brings us an unforgettable character and a story sure to earn its place among beloved middle-grade classics.
 
“A page-turning novel of friendship, family, and standing up for what’s right.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
 
“Readers will be charmed by this sci-fi tale of free choice, hot dogs, and fun word problems.” —Booklist
 
“Van Eekhout brings considerable heart and wisdom to this coming-of-age tale . . . about hubris and what it means to be human.” —Kirkus Reviews