A forgotten homemade robot comes to life just when aspiring fifth-grade scientist Maya needs a friend--and a science fair project.

"In this long short story, or short novella, Dave Eggers gives us an unforgettable duo, Helen and Peter Mahoney, a homebody niece and her adventurous, almost-British uncle. Helen designs invitations to parties and galas to which she is not welcome, and is quite comfortable with that. One day, though, Peter wonders, "Why not print an extra invite and I'll be your plus one?" What starts out as an innocuous lark becomes much more -- a very funny and...

Since that fateful night I have always kept myself to myself. Reserved. Private. Alone. Some people think I am too quiet. That life is passing me by. But I know there is safety in my own company. That no one can hurt me if I don't let them get too close. Until the day I meet him. A handsome, charming stranger. A chance for me to take a risk? Or a man who threatens everything I've worked so hard for? And that's when my whole life begins to fall apart....

Suspended from work amid allegations of sexual misconduct, a virgin geography teacher is targeted by a sinister predator upon joining an online support group for the involuntarily celibate, before a therapist neighbor's distraught patient goes missing.