Your Pal Fred (Your Pal Fred #1)

by Michael Rex (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Your Pal Fred

From the author/illustrator of Fangbone! and Goodnight Goon comes a zany and hilarious graphic novel that shines a light on the humanity inside all of us---even if you're a robot.

He's a super-nice kid in an ultra-mean world.

He believes even the worst people are good inside.

He'll always be there for you... even if you boot him out of your castle, pit him against a mechanical giant, put him on top of a pole in a lightning storm, and trap him in a booming dance party that lasts all night long.

He's Your Pal Fred. In a brutal world far in the future where only the savage survive, a life-size toy suddenly activates. Fred was built to be a best buddy, and his relentless kindness never fades, even when everyone else is rude. Determined to make the world a better place, he has the bright idea to talk the two most powerful and battle-hungry warlords, Lord Bonkers and Papa Mayhem, into being friends. It's a mission doomed to fail, unless Fred can find a way to inspire everyone to play nice!

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Kirkus

A winning exhortation, earnest in its underpinnings at least, to be the change.

ALA/Booklist

The illustrations capture the story’s energy; the action-packed spreads and jagged panels make for quick transitions during action sequences, and the cartoonish visual style turns mean characters into harmless goofballs. 

School Library Journal

What does the world need most when resources are thin and tensions are high? Well, a pal! After awakening in a post-apocalyptic desert, Fred—a robot made for children—immediately sets out to fix fractured relationships using both empathy and logic. His mediation between brothers Plug and Pug proves super effective, but with two warlords who are causing widespread friction, the task isn't quite as simple. Good deeds go a long way, though, and by the end, help comes from all corners. Just like travel companion Wormy, older readers will likely see Fred's naive plan as overly optimistic or ridiculous, but those cynical thoughts do not deter the robot; they just make him thoughtful. Even with all the ragged clothes and rust-bucket architecture, the buoyant protagonist, goofy character designs, and slapstick comedy offset the seriousness behind the idea of the Wrecked World. This graphic novel may give an overly simplified version of conflict resolution, but it does demonstrate the techniques and mindset needed. Furthermore, it opens up a discussion about principles and friendship. The author even includes a guide to making friends in the back matter. VERDICT A graphic novel with heart about mediation and good relations that will appeal to those who enjoy kooky characters.—Rachel Forbes

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Michael Rex mixes Spielberg's AI with George Miller's Mad Max and translates it through the lens of a Sunday comic strip. Your Pal Fred is a fun spectacle that's worth the journey. It's impossible not to smile as we follow a naively sweet robot armed only with his relentless optimism." —Rich Moyer, creator of Ham Helsing: Vampire Hunter

"Action, adventure, a beautifully illustrated post-apocalyptic wasteland, and a cute little robot named Fred who just wants you to "be kind." This story has EVERYTHING! Michael Rex has a knack for balancing heart-pounding danger with a deep sentimentality, and with Your Pal Fred he does it again!" —Michael Sweater, creator of The Wizerd

"Exciting, funny, and well-told . . . Your Pal Fred is just a joy to read." —Forces of Geek 

Michael Rex
Michael Rex (mikerexbooks.blogspot.com) has written and/or illustrated over forty children's books, including Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots, Eat Pete, With Any Luck, I'll Drive a Truck (by David Friend), and the New York Times #1 bestseller Goodnight Goon, as well as the Fangbone series (which has also been turned into an animated TV series). He has a master's degree in visual arts education (K-12) and worked as a New York City art teacher for four years. He lives in Leonia, New Jersey, with his wife and their two sons.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593206331
Lexile Measure
260
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication date
May 31, 2022
Series
Your Pal Fred
BISAC categories
JUV053000 - Juvenile Fiction | Science Fiction
JUV008040 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Action & Adventure
JUV008140 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Science Fiction
JUV056000 - Juvenile Fiction | Robots
Library of Congress categories
Toys
Friendship
Conduct of life
Graphic novels
Cartoons and comics

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