Resilience, aka “Res,” is an anthropomorphised robot who strives to be the best Mars rover he can be. Zander and Rania are the scientists (“hazmats,” according to Res) who dedicate their professional lives to exploring Mars through Res. Sophie, Rania’s daughter, grows up watching Res’ journey, writing letters to him that reveal the anxieties of growing up and the inspiration derived from seeing audacious goals.
A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Range: 8-12
Summary: Resilience (“Res”) is built to navigate and study the rocks, dust storms, and mountains of Mars. Res wants to be an excellent rover, a courageous robot who not only initiates scientific breakthroughs but who also makes his scientists, Xander and Rania, proud. In the laboratory, Res must patiently wait as his parts are tested and his coding programmed until he is finally launched into space. When he reaches Mars, he realizes that he will need every one of his abilities — including his friendships and emotions — if he is to create the legacy that he and his team of scientists have worked so hard for.
Teaching with A Rover’s Story
Recommend this book to students who enjoyed:
Cleo Porter and the Body Electric by Jake Burt: For robot-loving readers who are fascinated by what these machines can do — and what they may be able to do in the future.
The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto by Adrianna Cuevas: For young readers who are grappling with mortality, including making the most of our days.
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly: For young scholars seeking stories of scientists who look like them and that help them see themselves in the field.
Warga's characters are dynamic and complex. We see them make difficult decisions and face challenging obstacles over several decades. They are GREAT characters for students to analyze. Dig into their identities by using our Identity Iceberg Graphic Organizer.
Read it for these themes:
- Cultivating resilience: This feels like a give-in, but Warga provides concrete ways to become more resilient, such as: tapping into community, sharing fears and hopes with friends, and listening to personally meaningful music.
- Friendships during hardship: The journey to Mars, on Mars, and home from Mars pushes Res to his limits but he is able to find those limits because of his human and robot friends.
- What we leave behind: Whether it’s a life’s work, a breakthrough scientific discovery, or a fading away, Res’ journey showcases the many ways we create a legacy.
Final two cents: Beeps and boops, this book has so much to offer your classroom. Read it aloud in 5th or 6th grade, include it as a Book Club option in 6th or 7th grade, or hand it to an 8th grader who needs an emotional outlet.
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