How to Say Goodbye in Robot in Queereaders

Oct 12, 2010 Colleen rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya

Bea's mom accuses her of being a robot when she remains untouched by the death of a neighbor's hamster. Bea's just moves so many times that she's stopped getting attached. During this last move before college Bea actually does engage, befriending Jonah the school outcast. Not only does she find friendship with Jonah but she also becomes part of the Night Light community. As each of the character's come to deal with their own issues, Bea remains a very constant and truly human character who dream ...more

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Jan 16, 2010 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: teen-reality

This is a funny, quirky, and touching smart/damaged outsiders coming of age story. I like that the other non-outsider main characters are not all horrible people just fit in a little more, I also like that kids drink and smoke but they are not drug addicts and I like that there are lots of eccentrics of all ages in this book. Everyone is brought together by a late night radio show. Not quite a romance, but a relationship story that is unlike most books I have read. Good cover. Highly recommended ...more

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Jul 12, 2009 Jennifer Wardrip rated it it was amazing

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

If you are looking for something a little different for your next reading experience, pick up a copy of HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT by Natalie Standiford.

Bea is used to moving around. Her father, a college professor, is always on the lookout for new challenges, so they have moved from one college town to another over the years. This move is a bit more unsettling since it's Bea's senior year, and for some unknown reason, her mother i Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

If you are looking for something a little different for your next reading experience, pick up a copy of HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT by Natalie Standiford.

Bea is used to moving around. Her father, a college professor, is always on the lookout for new challenges, so they have moved from one college town to another over the years. This move is a bit more unsettling since it's Bea's senior year, and for some unknown reason, her mother is acting strange.

After basically deciding to just coast through this final year of high school and just bide her time until she can head off to college on her own, Bea is pleasantly surprised when she actually makes a few friends. One of the most interesting people is someone everyone calls Ghost Boy. His name is Jonah, but since elementary school his quiet manner and pale complexion have made him the target of ridicule.

A friendship begins to develop between Bea and Jonah when he leaves her a note suggesting that she tune in to a late night radio talk show called Night Lights. As Bea listens to the odd characters who call in every night, she imagines Jonah in his darkened room listening, too. They find they have more and more in common and both feel comfortable when they are together.

As they grow closer, Jonah confides in Bea and tells her about his twin brother, killed years before in a car accident along with their mother. He is convinced that Matthew is really still alive and asks Bea's help in the search to find him.

There are many unique twists and turns to keep readers interested. Both Bea and Jonah have parent issues. Bea's mother's behavior is increasingly bizarre, which both annoys and worries Bea. Jonah has lived with his unemotional father all these years, but now emotions are running on high as Jonah questions the truth about his long-lost twin. Scattered throughout the narrative are glimpses into the Night Lights radio program in the form of dialogue sections highlighting the callers' comments and questions.

Overall, HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT is a captivating book just unique enough to make it stand apart from the usual adventure, drinking/sex party, vampire romance books that seem to be filling the YA shelves of late. This book is a worthy addition to any library, classroom, or personal collection. ...more

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Nov 11, 2011 Nora rated it liked it

Shelves: novel, hate-yet-love-or-complicated

A book that I start out loving and think is perfect but then goes off the rails gets a lower rating from me than a so-so book. Why did you have to do this, Natalie Standiford? I don't want to give a spoiler but let me put it like this. There's a thing that always happens to characters with a disability. And that thing happens in this book, which just pisses me off. ...more

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Apr 16, 2010 Brandon Will rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya-lit

This might be the closest to my actual teen experience I've read. Not the exacts, not the plot, but the people it's about: the not-quite-classifiables, who have this unique perspective on things. And the churning sadness, the amusing realizations, and the stepping up to just deal with the realities. ...more

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