Cats vs. Robots #1: This Is War - Hardcover

Stohl, Margaret; Peterson, Lewis

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062665707 ISBN 13: 9780062665706

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, 2018

Synopsis

#1 New York Times bestselling author Margaret Stohl and Lewis Peterson’s hilarious middle grade debut has it all: robot overlords, secret feline agents, and earthling humans who are in for a real catastrophe.

With examples of why coding is fun and other STEM applications cleverly woven into this fun and thoughtful story about looking beyond binary terms, this is the perfect novel for fans of House of Robots and The Tapper Twins.    

The Robot Federation and the Feline Empire have been at war for eons. And now that fight is coming to a tiny primitive planetoid...Earth. The mission for both cats and robots: retrieve the Singularity Chip. With it, cats can live past their nine lives, and robots are granted eternal battery life.

Meanwhile, twin siblings Max and Min Wengrod are as different as can be. Min always gets good grades, and she loves to read and build robots. Max hates school, and prefers to play games and spend time online with friends.

When Max rescues two kittens and is determined to keep them, Min is horrified that these furballs could ruin her chances at the Battle of the Bots competition. But with hidden forces at play in their own house, and the larger war between cats and robots  fast approaching, will the twins be able to put aside their differences before they get caught in the crossfire?  

About this title

About the Author:

Margaret Stohl is the bestselling author of twelve books for children and teens, including coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestselling Beautiful Creatures series. She also cowrites Mighty Captain Marvel for Marvel Comics. You can learn more about her at www.mstohl.com.

Kay Peterson is the illustrator of the Cats vs. Robots series.

Lewis Peterson is a game developer and robot builder. When not writing books or making games or building robots, he spends his time reading books and playing games and chasing cats with robots.

Review:

“While comically contrasting the vast gulf between the mentalities of machines and cats, and (plainly) having great fun with names, the authors also work in significant gulf-bridging elements and developments. A STEM-friendly, high-interest adventure.” (Booklist)

“Chaos ensues! This story fits squarely in the subgenre of goofy, outer space–based comedy. Promotion of STEM skills, the drama of a robotics competition, and a gender-nonbinary role model also enhance the text. Recommend for cat lovers and ‘Captain Underpants’ fans.” (School Library Journal)

“This madcap caper featuring an amusing crew of human, feline, and robotic characters launches the Cats vs. Robots series by the craftily matched Stohl and Peterson. The authors sustain sharp comedic irony throughout, interjecting unanticipated plot twists and doses of emotion.” (Publishers Weekly)

“[A] mix of tech and kitties, STEM and heart.” (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)

“Maybe it takes a book about cats and robots to really celebrate being human.” (Holly Goldberg Sloan, author of Counting by 7s)

“Thank you, Stohl and Peterson, for uncovering the epic battle being waged in front of our very noses. Young readers will tear right through this hilarious and touching middle grade adventure—if their cat doesn’t tear it up first.”   (Pseudonymous Bosch, author of the Secret Series and the Bad Books)

“I love this book as much as I love the family who made it. It had me at ‘Pounce’!” (Melissa De La Cruz, author of the Descendants series)

“Cats vs. Robots is a rollicking and inventive story that manages to be epic and charming and completely endearing. A fizzy and exciting start to a unique new series.” (Eliot Schrefer, author of the Lost Rainforest series)

“The perfect book for anyone who likes cats or robots or books. In other words, everyone, because this book is perfect.” (Brendan Reichs, author of Nemesis)

“Irreverent and important, Cats vs. Robots is a rollicking adventure for the whole family to share.” (Tahereh Mafi, author of the Shatter Me series)

About this edition

• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0062665707
• ISBN 13: 9780062665706
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320
• Illustrator: Peterson Kay