LOTS OF BOTS: ROBOTS RULE, BOOK TWO - C.J. Richards

Nothing wrong with reading "kid-lit" - books for young readers - as an adult, especially if said book brings back memories of the kind of adventure stories you loved as a kid.  And though I haven't yet read the first in the Robots Rule series, there is a lot to like about Lots of Bots as it picks up right after the events of the first novel.  George Gearing is a young genius set to fulfill his dream of being an apprentice at Tinker Tech, where he hopes to learn and change the face of robotics.  For in Terabyte Heights, George's hometown, we're in a world where robots act as companions, drive cars, cook meals - in short, make the lives of humans easier and safer.  The destruction of this idyllic lifestyle seems to have been narrowly avoided in book one by the sinister Dr. Micron, thanks to George and his friends (including Jackbot, his best friend and robot companion), though it's not giving too much away here to say that hints are dropped, early on, that Micron - who had previously escaped capture - may still be lurking around somewhere in book two, ready with an even bigger plot that may include revenge on George.  Lots of Bots is just plain fun; well-written by C.J. Richards and beautifully illustrated (the artwork reminded me of afternoons watching "Prince Planet" and "Speed Racer" as a kid) by Goro Fujita, with a likable hero in George, who slowly realizes that someone is out to destroy his apprenticeship - or maybe even him - but fights to solve that mystery, even while dealing with a bigger one left behind by his deceased parents.  A great read for, say, grades levels 4-7 ... but really a lighthearted, fun adventure for all ages. **** (Note: while the book is a stand-alone, it references enough of what happened in book one, The Junkyard Bot - spoiler-wise - that it would be best to read that one first.)

Note: I received a free ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.