Berry, Carlotta A. STEM Kids Make a Robot, The. Samuel Valentino, Illus. NSTA Kids, 05/2026. 150pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 979-8-89977-009-8. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.
A diverse group of fourth grade students have been assigned a group project: helping to solve a problem. Santana, Tyler, Ebony and Minyuan name their group STEM and work through many problem-solving steps to come up with possible problems to address and their possible solutions, before focusing on and designing a way to help with their selected problem: long lines while students sort trash and recycle in the cafeteria. They design and then learn how to build a robotic machine to assist students with sorting. The group seems to have plenty of school time for the project, and lots of support from a dedicated Maker room and teacher, which most schools are unlikely to have. This ethnically diverse group figures out ways to harness thir different backgrounds and personalities into a cohesive project. Although not an exciting storyline, experiencing how a group project can come together and work out due to good teamwork is interesting and could be useful to many readers.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library