The Invasion of the Scuttlebots

Star Scouts #3

by Mike Lawrence

Avani has found the one place in the universe where she fits in: Star Scouts. The Invasion of the Scuttlebots is the third and final volume of this action-packed graphic novel series by Mike Lawrence.

In Star Scouts, oxygen breathers and methane breathers rarely get along. Avani and Pam were no different, at least at first. But these one-time rivals have become good pals. Mabel isn’t too happy about that — Avani is supposed to be her best friend!

Feeling jealous and left out, Mabel wishes aloud for the destruction of Avani and Pam’s friendship. Unfortunately, a robot minion who happened to be in earshot takes this as a direct order! Now an army of robots bent on world domination has infiltrated planet Earth. Avani needs Mabel’s help to defeat the scuttlebots — but can she ever forgive her friend for unleashing a robot invasion on her hometown?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Aliens, Humor, Childrens

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2019

About the author

Mike always wanted to be a superhero and an artist when he grew up. While he never developed super powers, he did become an artist after being exposed to gamma radiation at the University of Oregon.

Reviews

[Newly Wardell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just quality EVERYTHING. Great story and brilliant illustrations.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Star Scouts offer Avani everything she's ever wanted--acceptance, friendship, and a chance to give back to the world. She and Pam, a methane breather, have brokered a friendship even though their relationship started off poorly. After all, Avani is an oxygen breather. With their example, the adults in their lives are hopeful that both groups can get along and learn to work together. While this is in the formative stages, Mabel, Avani's friend, becomes jealous of Pam and inadvertently sets off a robot and its minions, all bent on destroying the Earth. Amid all the seriousness of trying to save the world, this graphic novel offers plenty of humor with some of the Scouts' new partnerships and tasks and the Flower Scouts' selling of Skinny Mints. Clearly a take-off on the Girl Scouts' popular Thin Mints, the name and boxes that morphed into weapons of destruction made me chortle as did Avani's father's fondness for them, so much so that he ordered 52 boxes, one for each week of the year. Having eaten my share of those cookies, I can certainly relate. The colors in the illustrations, the careful worldbuilding, and the unique creatures make this book and series stand out. I appreciated having the story conclude 30 years later, but I will miss all these characters.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from First Second Books through NetGalley.
Graphic Novel
The third book in this series offers more character development and relationship building among the Star Scouts. With new relationships, come changing dynamics and Mabel has a hard time accepting Avani's friendship with Pam. Jealousies flare and accidents happen. Avanti and Pam recommend the scout troops be merged and Roger, et. al., accept that recommendation. The two groups - humans and aliens have to work together on projects to earn badges. Though the start is rocky, they learn how similar they are and find ways to work together. The exception is Mabel as she continues to struggle with her emotions. She sets off a chain reaction that could destroy Earth. All of them have to work together to save Avanti's home town. The book ends with a look 30 years in the future.
The illustrations are fun to search for details. Lawrence continues to tell a tale that middle grade readers will relate to. Though they wear all sorts of skin, readers will recognize their own traits and those of others they know.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to a letter from Pam and Avani, the Star Scout leaders have decided to integrate the oxygen and methane breathers into the same troops. They are starting with Pam and Avani’s troops, mixing up the groups for some community service. None of the other scouts is too thrilled about this, but especially Mabel. In a fit of anger and hurt Mabel accidentally unleashes a robot invasion of Earth while doing community service. Oh, and they are self-replicating, rumor-spreading, planet-conquering robots. Are the Star Scouts up to stopping a robot invasion?

This was my favorite Star Scouts yet. It allowed the Star Scouts and the Flower Scouts and Avani’s dad to team up together, which was awesome. The method of the alien’s initial invasion involves a certain Flower Scout cookie that Avani’s Dad is a wee bit obsessed with and his reaction is HILARIOUS. There’s a great message about friendships knowing no bounds and to not judge others without really getting to know them. There’s also a good reminder to not neglect old friends when you make new ones. There are some great collab scenes and some really funny moments during the Earth invasion. And it ends with a feel-good look at what the future will bring for our favorite Star Scouts. This was an absolutely fantastic space adventure and a great note for the series to end on (because it feels like it is a wrap up, though I’d love to see more in the future). Hand this graphic novel series to those looking for a multicultural cast, fun space adventures, and great lessons on getting along with others who are different from you.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[emyrose8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this series. This third installment did not disappoint one bit! From Gary the snail (in an alien retirement home no less), to gossiping robots trying to take over the world, to Avani's dad's obsession with cookies, this book is a riot! Great lessons on friendship, people different than yourself, and growing up. The ending is just perfect. Highly recommend to anyone who is sick of pop singers, is involved in Boy/Girl Scouts, or enjoys outer space. I will definitely be buying this for my classroom library.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own, unbiased.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Star Scouts and book 3 may be my favorite yet. Avani has to negotiate Mabel's jealousy of Pam and deal with a sneaky invasion of her home town through the most nefarious weapon of all. Scuttlebots disguise themselves as Flower Scout Skinny Mint Cookies!

This looks as if it might be the last volume but I'm hoping Mike Lawrence might still give us more Star Scout adventures.

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ended up being such a fantastic series. Bravo to Mike Lawrence!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this third and final installment of the Star Scouts series, author Mike Lawrence takes on integration, disinformation, and pop music in a funny and adventurous tale of friendship's ups & downs. INVASION OF THE SCUTTLEBOTS picks up as new BFFs Pam and Avani have convinced Star Scouts to combine the oxygen and methane breathers into one troop. Mabel, who in League of Lasers had issues with Jen, Avani's best Earth friend, now is jealous of Avani and Pam's bond. Her frustration at feeling left out, which is partly fueled by puberty, is directed towards a "scuttlebot" that immediately sets out to destroy Avani and Pam's friendship. Let the invasion begin!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this may be the last Star Scouts book. At least it reads like it is. It is time to integrate the Star Scouts. No longer will there be separate troops for the oxygen breathers and the either breathers. They must learn to work together to make the organization a better unit and to better help all species. This book takes a look at how friendships change. When people make new friends, or try to introduce someone new to the group. Some end up feeling left out. I enjoyed this book, and if it is the last one, it ends on the perfect note.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good conclusion to this series. Wonder what this author will do now? Life lessons about friendship didn't feel too heavy-handed though strangely enough the second book was my favorite in this series. Usually the second book in any trilogy is just a bridge, but this didn't have the the same flair that the first two did. Maybe it's the cold medicine talking though.

[Karen Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3rd in this graphic novel sci-fi series, which is good for grades 4-6.
A few things I appreciated:
It teaches that integration is better than prejudice against those who are different.
Has some fabulous immature humor (good because grades 4-6, duh)
It shows the problem with misinformation being spread intentionally - pretty topical.
And, one of the scouting tasks was helping in an old folks home (which was funny all by itself). I appreciated that it was boring for the scouts, until it wasn't. :)

Also good is the "how to draw" section in the back.

(I did wonder how the characters ate while wearing oxygen masks, and a few things like that, but then I'm not the intended audience...or am I?)

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pam and Avani have convinced Star Scout leaders to integrate methane breathers and oxygen breathers. Within their groups, friends start to worry about their friendships and whether they will be replaced with other kids. As jealousies arise, replicating robots bent on earth destruction and spreading rumors to break up Pam and Avani's friendship invade planet Earth.

Not quite so enamored with this one, perhaps it had more battling than the others. Or maybe I've read too many books on jealous friends lately for this one to measure up. I did like the ending.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Due to having read this third book in the series several months (if not closer to a year) later, there were a few things I had forgotten from the previous two. However, it is easy to pick back up. The galactic friendships between a few humans and alien scouts bubbles into one large can of worms when jealousy, some crazy robots and bad pop songs come to a head. Our Star Scouts not only have to try and save old and create new friendships, they have to save Earth from Robots that look like Skinny Mint Scout cookie boxes! Humor and adventure mix into a fun series for ages 8 to 10.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this third entry in the popular Star Scouts graphic novel series, Mabel, who has just “pupated” and had her “pu-party,” is jealous of Avani’s new friend Pam. Avani and Pam, former enemies, had bonded in Star Scouts 2. Mabel’s jealousy leads to accidentally setting off “Scuttlebots” to attack Earth and spread rumors about Pam. The Scouts must work together to save Earth. This fun series of extraterrestrial scouting features colorful and creative artwork.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poignant messaging about making room in one's life for new friends and the power of cooperation elevate this final volume in the series beyond a mediocre space romp with multiple elements shoehorned in. The final coda feels especially tacked on. Young fans of the series, however, should enjoy the further exploits of Avani, Pam, and the gang.

3/5

[Dawn Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series and these characters! The Girl Scout cookie humor in this was hilarious. I hope this isn't the end of the Star Scouts books.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lawrence has creative fun aliens and peoples. Silly jokes about methane breathers.