Warga, Jasmine. Rover’s Story, A. Harper Collins, 10/2022. 320pp. Fiction. GRADES 4 – 7. $17.99. 978-0-06-311392-3. OUTSTANDING.
Born for observation, and programmed to learn to solve simple problems, a Mars rover named Resilience moves beyond its expected limits: forging friendships with other machines, learning to care about its human creators, and developing self-awareness. Along the way it navigates the pain and pleasure of emotions and engages in some dramatic space exploration. Warga deftly grounds the science in reality, with enough detail to satisfy enthusiasts and with plenty of plot and character development to engage those who just want a good story. Where the tale surpasses expectations is in how effectively Resilience’s realizations hold up an illuminating mirror to the human reader. Central to the story is Res’s brown-skinned, Middle-Eastern creator, Raina, and her adolescent daughter, Sophie. Sophie, disgruntled by the long hours her mom spends devoted to Res, writes to it, as part of a sixth grade class project, continuing, off and on, into her college years. The humor, science, charming robot friendships, and heart-warming family dynamics add up to an unusually deep and enjoyable story perfect for independent reading and family readalouds.
Melissa McAvoy—Retired