Wow. I didn't know what I was getting into when I decided to read this book. I thought the main plot would be about robotics. There is a little robotics, but it is secondary to the main plot which is about manic-depressive disorder. It doesn't just nibble around the edges either. This is a well-written story of how a parent's mental illness can have devastating effects on a family.

11-year-old Lucy's family has fallen from grace. Her intelligent mother, who once worked as a professor at a college, can barely take care of her two daughters. With no dad in the picture, Lucy is the one taking care of her mother. Out of necessity she is very mature for her age. They live in a trailer park and Lucy is already thinking of her future. She knows she wants a better life. If only she can win the robotics competition, she'll win enough money to help pay for college.

There are several major episodes that perfectly describe how insane and incompetent Lucy's mother can be when she is off her medication. One is the time her mom wakes her up in the middle of the night to go look at the northern lights. Another is when she loses control in the principal's office. The best example is when they are on their way to the robotics competition and steal and RV.

If you want a middle grade book that tackles bipolar illness, look no further. ( )

This is one of those tricky books that is probably middle grade but has such tough themes, I would be hesitant to give it to a very young reader. Lucy lives in a crappy trailer park and is focused on building a junkbot for competition. Her mother is mentally ill and is starting to decline very rapidly. There are some big picture issues here that might be tricky for young kids but it is a pretty good story. ( )

Lucy Peevey, twelve, and her best friend Cam are perfecting the robot that could win a competition, a scholarship, and a way out of Sunnyside Trailer Park when Lucy's mother goes off her medication and her manic-depressive disorder goes out of control. ( )