Botcation by Paul Clarke

A Middle Grade Action Novel published by Green Hill Publishing (05/08/26)

“I don’t think your mother trusts me, so make sure you tell her that absolutely nothing could go wrong. I guarantee it.” 

Mary, Daniel, and Timmy are back… And so is Bernard. Best of all, bots are back.

Life has mostly settled down after the events of Bot Camp. The robotics club is still struggling to attract members (or even spectators), but Daniel, Mary, and Timmy are happily building and battling robots together. Daniel is still the reluctant leader of the group, Mary is still intimidatingly competent, and Timmy continues to create robot designs that are equal parts creative and catastrophic.

Keywords:

Robotics, Bot Battle, Vacation, 12-Year-Olds, Billionaire, Leadership, Teamwork, Survival, RV

My Review:

I enjoyed slipping back into this world and spending time with these characters again. Their friendships feel genuine, and the banter between them remains one of my favorite parts of the series. Timmy, in particular, continues to steal scenes with his enthusiasm and chaos.

The story starts out with robot battles at school before shifting into a camping adventure when Bernard Barker invites the group and their families on a high-tech wilderness trip. Of course, things don’t stay peaceful for long. Huntbots make an appearance, and what should have been a relaxing outdoor adventure quickly turns into a fight for survival.

One aspect of the story that I particularly enjoyed was the exploration of technology versus traditional skills. The book presents a world filled with advanced gadgets, artificial intelligence, and robots, yet the characters repeatedly discover that technology isn’t always the answer. Sometimes practical knowledge, teamwork, and basic survival skills are just as important. I appreciated how this idea was woven naturally into the plot rather than being presented as a lecture. It never feels preachy; instead, the characters learn through experience, making the message both believable and engaging.

I also continue to enjoy how the series balances technology, problem-solving, and action without losing sight of the characters and the plot. The robotics elements are fun and detailed enough to satisfy STEM-minded readers, while remaining accessible to those who just want an exciting adventure.

I also appreciated that the adults are present and involved without taking over the story. Daniel, Mary, and Timmy are still the ones driving the action and solving problems, which keeps the focus where it belongs. (Although mom-power shines as well).

Overall, this was a fun continuation of the series. If you enjoyed Bot Camp, you’ll likely enjoy spending more time with these characters as they face another robot-filled adventure. The combination of friendship, engineering, humor, and rogue robots continues to make this a series worth following.

I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

This novel was published by Green Hill Publishing on 05/08/2026 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information

Goodreads