Watchdog

Gr 4-6—In a near-future, robot-filled Chicago, things are tough for Vick and Tara, twins who are Brumbies, or homeless kids. Like others of their kind, they scavenge the city dump in search of scrap to sell or that Tara, who has autism, uses to make robots that are better than anyone else's. Her talent gets them in trouble, though, when she creates a creature that ruthless forces will stop at nothing to capture. The twins must team up with a band of other techie Brumbies to outwit Ms. Alba and her henchmen, some of them fearsome robots, and find the safety they've craved since becoming orphans. Middle graders will enjoy the robot elements as well as the fast-paced action as the twins evade violence and mete out some of their own. McIntosh, author of adult speculative fiction and short stories, crafts a credible world with relatable characters. VERDICT This compelling drama with cool tech themes and bad guys getting their comeuppance is a winner; hand to fans of Michael Buckley's "NERDS" and Stuart Gibbs's "Spy School" series.—Henrietta Verma, National Information Standards Organization, Baltimore