TrooFriend

I really enjoyed this book because it was very different from other children’s fiction I’ve read. It covered ideas of the complexity of rules, friendship difficulties at Secondary school age, responsibility and kindness. Reminiscent of Klara and the Sun but much more appropriate for younger readers. I loved the voice of Ivy and her perspective.

hayley064

I initially wasn’t sure I wanted to read this but I’m so pleased I did! It was an easy read and flowed well. It was great at showing the importance of friendship and feelings too!

emma.dunkin

Clever and intriguing read. There are lots of questions raised about friendship, parents and children, ownership - I especially liked the confusions about truth (and the nature of lies). It also reminded me of other books where you start looking for how and when characters change - so you find yourself wanting to re read to chart the progress of individuals. I'd definitely recommend this as a read and as a book to talk about.

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I loved this book and found it hard to put down. It thoughtfully explores issues around artificial intelligence, consciousness and the true meaning of friendship.

motherease

I throughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend to anyone looking for a book about friendship with a sci-fi twist.

Stacey.12

A really different and thought-provoking book exploring the concept of Artificial Intelligence and the perfect ‘Troofriend’ android. The blossoming relationship between Sarah and her android, Ivy, creates a humorous and heartfelt story…especially as Ivy begins to develop human-like feelings and isn’t as perfect as she should be. A great exploration of friendship, bullying and how your actions can influence others.

MrsF

I read this book as it is our class read for Autumn 1 and I loved it! I wasn’t expecting the moral dilemmas to be quite so complex and I’m still left questioning whether Ivy did have her own feelings or if she was just copying Sarah. The themes of friendship throughout and the dynamics of friendships were so intricate and well written, it will provide fabulous discussion! I loved the humour in this book and think it would be a great independent read for children in upper key stage 2 but I’m definitely going to have fun doing the robot voice with my year 3s! Such a fun book!

[email protected]

I enjoyed this book very much. It was an engaging read and had a lot to say about what makes us human. Some interesting discussion points about envy/ lying and what is means to own someone or something. It reminded me a little of the brilliant 'Never let me go'. Would recommend for year 4 and above.

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This is a fiction book for Year 6 and above. Sarah's parents decide that she needs a companion as they work long hours. Although Sarah requested a dog, they decided to purchase a Jensen & Jensen TrooFriend 560 Mark IV, an android friend who does not bully, harm, lie or envy. Sarah is unhappy about the troofriend but eventually names her Ivy and they become friends, although life is not at all straightforward. When problems with the TrooFriend 560 Mark IV come to light and they are recalled to be destroyed, Sarah realises that Ivy has human emotions and is very frightened. Ivy is a lovely and faithful android who is a very good friend to Sarah and this book by Kirsty Applebaum teaches that we are not all the same and about acceptance our differences. I would highly recommend this book.

Moosiemoose

Having read The Middler - this was a book on my must be read pile. It is a very interesting story of how mankind welcomes androids into society, so much so that parents buy them as friends for their children. Written from the viewpoint of one of these androids, Ivy, it is a tale of burgeoning friendship and confusion - as the android begins to experience human emotions. I would recommend this for older primary children to read.

msfbedu

Read and already passing this one around. Slightly uncomfortable reading in places when Troofriend is blurting things out that you would rather her not say but makes a point with young readers about thinking before they speak.

p.atki5

Sarah is not overjoyed when her busy parents get her an android to be her friend. It is not just any old android either but the Jensen and Jensen Troofriend 560 Mark IV. Sarah would rather have a dog but instead she accepts the Troofriend, who she calls Ivy. Ivy is programmed to be the perfect friend for your child, she won’t lie, steal or bully; programmed only for fun and goodness. But if that is the case, why does she covet Sarah’s belongings and why is she scared of the dark? Having really enjoyed The Middler by Kirsty Applebaum, I was looking forward to reading this one. It is entirely different but an excellent and thought provoking read. It touches upon what makes us human and whether androids could ever be considered sentient life. It is also about relationships, both within the family and with friends. There is something a bit creepy about the Troofriend and yet as it is written in the first person by Ivy herself, it is also a story of growing awareness and self. Whilst not a difficult read it contains a lot of inference which makes it more challenging. The reader has to understand what Ivy does not; all the subtle ways the people are communicating and the body language and turns of phrase. Ivy is literally the innocent in the story, and it is up to the reader to fill in some of the blanks. As the relationship between Sarah and Ivy develops, so does the tension, between them, but also between androids and the rest of society. Suitable for Upper Key Stage 2 this is an excellent story, written from an unusual viewpoint and destined to stay in the mind long after you have finished reading

Jach

I really enjoyed this book as you got to experience the world from the POV of the Troofriend. It was well written and hinted throughout at something bigger that was going to happen.

NBellamy2700