A Very Personal Computer

Rendal, Justine

ISBN 10: 0060254084 ISBN 13: 9780060254087

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1995

Synopsis

Preparing to give up on everything, from his disappointing family life to his losing baseball team, eighth-grader Pollard Gunning is amazed when his personal computer begins talking to him and offering to solve all his problems.

About this title

Reviews

Grade 4-7?An amazing computer program comes to the aid of 11-year-old Pollard, who has had his share of problems, including the recent deaths of his mother and his dog. In addition, he's the smallest in his class, has no friends, and is failing most of his classes. Then he encounters Conner, a "compensatory program," who knows everything about him and will do whatever he asks. This includes doing the boy's homework instantly and perfectly, teaching him how to play baseball through lifelike simulation, and giving him advice. Through a virtual date with the prettiest girl in class, Pollard learns to reconsider who he likes and why. The premise may be a bit hard for some readers to swallow; they never learn exactly how the computer program came into existence, and at times the insight and advice seem contrived. Some clever plotting holds the book together, however. The lessons Pollard learns are not always predictable, and a surprising twist toward the end, in which he reveals that his mother is not really dead, is quite powerful. Despite some uneven spots in the writing, the computer-driven plot offers an intriguing outlook on typical adolescent problems, and Pollard is a well-drawn character.?Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library, OR
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0060254084
• ISBN 13: 9780060254087
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 216