How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford

Bea is moving to a new town. It’s no big deal; she does it all the time, whenever her dad gets tired of his job. When her mother has an emotional breakdown over a dead hamster from down the street, Bea can’t share her grief. Her mother accuses her of having no feelings; of being a robot. It’s hard to keep talking in robot when Bea meets Jonah, a lonely outsider who seems to share her misanthropic ideals. When she realizes Jonah calls into her favorite late night radio show, the pair become close friends… but is it something more? Jonah’s family secrets bring the closer pair together, but his inability to let anyone close to him might force Bea to say goodbye... in robot.

A book that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, I enjoyed reading Robot possibly more than any other book on the list. Bea's relationship with Jonah, how ill-defined and up-in-the-air it is, is a constant source of silent frustration for her. Bea never really knows if they're together or not. She doesn't want to mess things up with Jonah, but she also desperately wants to know what they mean to one another. This is something Jonah isn't quick to share with her, given his general lack of communication skills. A lot of teenagers can probably relate to Bea, especially ones who are embarking on their first relationship. I would recommend this book to any one who enjoys stories about romance or relationships.

How to Say Goodbye in Robot appears on the Stuff for the Teen Age 2010 List.