Rise of the Snot-Bots

Gr 3-5–In an overview of the backstory, readers learn that a radiation leak from a nuclear plant adjoining a junk yard has caused mutations to scrap metal, forming crude, rude robots bent on fouling the town. Just as the mayor is presenting the key to Electropolis to members of the Clean Team, Sludge and his band of Snot-Bots arrive in their Vomit Comet to drop a gush of greasy oil on everybody assembled. Glint and Gleam from the Clean Team use their power washers with bleach and hot water to beat back the threat. The key is stolen by the Snot-Bots, but later replaced with a new one as the villains are hosed down with soapy water. The volume concludes with a glossary, including words highlighted in the text such as detergent and putrid, and a brief list of discussion questions and writing prompts. Simple illustrations are abundant throughout and well-integrated with the design. There is very little plot to speak of. Characters and their powers are not developed within the story, which is written at a first to third grade reading level.