The Automatic Age
not part of a series
on Goodreads (33)
What’s inside...
The Automatic Age is the story of a father and son navigating an automated apocalypse. Set in a mid-century computerized utopia of automats, self-driving cars, food pills, and happy robo-servants, robot search teams find and remove the troublesome people that clutter it. A perfect future in which humans are forbidden to live. Shortlisted for the 2021 Manuela Dias Book Illustration Award!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
11-12
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Carson
Mike
Discussion points
How do you think automation changed the world in 'The Automatic Age'? What would you automate in your daily life?
The characters in the book face many challenges. Which challenge was the most difficult, and why do you think they reacted that way?
What role does friendship play in this story? Can you share a time when a friend helped you through a tough situation?
How do the illustrations contribute to the story? Which illustration is your favorite and why?
If you could ask the author one question about the book, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine the future of automation: discuss both the exciting possibilities and the ethical dilemmas.
Validate their feelings and thoughts as they navigate the challenges faced by the characters, and relate them to real-life situations your child might encounter.
Discuss the significance of teamwork and friendship illustrated in the book. Relate these themes to your child's experiences with friends and classmates.
Take time to explore the book’s art together. Ask your child what they notice about the colors, lines, and expressions, and how these aspects enhance the story for them.
Create an environment that welcomes curiosity, where it's okay to ask more about the unknown or unclear parts of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Human Connection
Explanation: In 'The Automatic Age', the story highlights the bond between a father and his son as they navigate a world dominated by machines. Their reliance on each other emphasizes the importance of human relationships over technological dependency.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and nurture relationships with family and friends, understanding that human connections are irreplaceable by technology.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to Change
Explanation: The protagonists in the book are constantly adapting to new challenges in a rapidly changing world, illustrating the necessity of flexibility and resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to be open to change and adaptable in the face of new situations or obstacles in their everyday lives.
Example Lesson: Moral Courage
Explanation: The characters often face tough choices between easy but ethically wrong decisions versus right but difficult paths, showing the value of moral courage and integrity.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to stand up for what is right and make ethical choices, even when it might be challenging.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: As the characters encounter various mechanical and ethical dilemmas, they use critical thinking and creativity to solve problems.
Real-World Application: This narrative encourages children to apply problem-solving skills in school and in interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Effects of Technology on Society
Explanation: The book portrays a world where automation has taken over many aspects of life, prompting reflection on the balance between technology and human labor.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think critically about the role of technology in their lives and its impacts on society.