Molly and the Machine

Gr 3-6–The summer after fourth grade is not shaping up to be a very good one for Molly McQuirter. Her dad has completely turned into a couch potato and constantly expects her to occupy her annoying younger brother Wally, even when she has amazing things planned such as testing her Rube Goldberg machine. Things take a serious twist when a giant robot comes along and swallows Wally up. Something in Molly snaps as she takes off on her souped-up pink bicycle, her prized possession, and the only nice thing she has, to get him back. She faces danger at every turn and must use her considerable ingenuity to face challenges and manage the menagerie of pets and people drawn to her that want to help along the way. Chapters are told from various points of view, although most focus on Molly. The characters, kids and adults alike, are often dealing with the pain of being let down or left by someone who was supposed to care for them. Molly is cued as white.