A parent might reach for this book when their child is facing a big life change, like a move or the loss of a grandparent, and is struggling with feelings of loneliness. Ten-year-old Roberta is a budding scientist who feels more like an experiment than a daughter to her psychologist mother. After her grandmother dies, she is sent to spend the summer with her grieving grandfather in rural Maine. The book follows Roberta as she navigates her own quiet grief and confusion, making an unexpected friend in a local boy named Marvin and finding a sense of belonging with his wonderfully eccentric family. It's a warm and humorous story about self-discovery, resilience, and the many forms a family can take, perfect for kids who feel a little different.
The book deals directly with the death of a loved one (a grandparent). The grief is a central, ongoing theme, particularly for the grandfather character. The approach is secular and focuses on the emotional process of living with loss. The resolution is hopeful and realistic: grief persists, but new friendships and experiences help the characters move forward and find joy again.
Ideal Reader
An intellectually curious 9- to 12-year-old who feels a bit different from their peers or family. It's perfect for a child navigating a recent family loss who would benefit from a story that balances sadness with humor and adventure, showing that it's okay to feel out of place while you figure things out.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. No specific preparation is needed. However, the grandfather's depression is realistically portrayed, so a parent might want to be ready to discuss how grief can look different for different people and that it's okay to be sad for a long time. A parent hears their child say something like, "No one understands me," or, "I feel weird." The child may seem withdrawn after a significant family event, such as a move or the death of a relative, and is retreating into solitary, observational activities.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will enjoy the funny characters, the friendship plot, and the summer adventures. An older reader (11-13) will appreciate the more nuanced themes of Roberta's complex relationship with her mother, her search for identity, and the subtle ways characters cope with loss and change.
What Makes It Special
What makes this book unique is its blend of genuine humor with heartfelt emotion. Roberta's scientific narrative voice provides a fresh and often funny lens through which to view serious topics like grief and loneliness. It's less of an 'issue book' and more of a charming, character-driven story that celebrates eccentricity and found family.
Read plot summary
Ten-year-old Roberta, a budding scientist, is sent to spend the summer in rural Maine with her grandfather, who is grieving the recent death of his wife. Feeling like an outsider and a subject in her psychologist mother's 'experiment,' Roberta documents her summer with scientific detachment. Her perspective shifts when she befriends Marvin, a quirky local boy, and becomes entangled with his large, chaotic, and loving family. Through their adventures, Roberta begins to understand friendship, family, and her own identity outside of a scientific framework.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Roberta calls the summer her 'Summer Experiment' and tries to observe everything like a scientist. Why do you think she does this? How does her point of view change by the end of the book?
2
Marvin's family is very different from Roberta's. What are some of the biggest differences, and what does Roberta learn from spending time with them?
3
Roberta's grandfather is very sad after his wife's death. In what ways do Roberta and her grandfather help each other feel less lonely throughout the summer?
4
At the start of the book, Roberta gives her Mom a D-minus in parenting. Do you think she would give her the same grade at the end? Why or why not?
