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Jasmine Warga
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A Rover's Story Kindle Edition

by Jasmine Warga (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 336 ratings
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#1 New York Times bestseller * Best Book of the Year from The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library

The One and Only Ivan meets The Wild Robot in this unique and deeply moving middle grade novel about the journey of a fictional Mars rover, from the Newbery Honor–winning author of Other Words for Home.

Meet Resilience, a Mars rover determined to live up to his name.

Res was built to explore Mars. He was not built to have human emotions. But as he learns new things from the NASA scientists who assemble him, he begins to develop humanlike feelings. Maybe there’s a problem with his programming….

Human emotions or not, launch day comes, and Res blasts off to Mars, accompanied by a friendly drone helicopter named Fly. But Res quickly discovers that Mars is a dangerous place filled with dust storms and giant cliffs. As he navigates Mars’s difficult landscape, Res is tested in ways that go beyond space exploration.

As millions of people back on Earth follow his progress, will Res have the determination, courage, and resilience to succeed…and survive? 

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8+ years, from customers
  2. Print length
    310 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 7
  5. Publisher
    Balzer + Bray
  6. Publication date
    October 4, 2022
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0063113930
  12. See all details
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 3–5—A fictional Mars Rover narrates its own journey from the robotics lab to the Red Planet. When two scientists, Rania and Xander, build a Mars rover named Resilience, neither are aware that it is paying attention to every detail. Through journal-style updates, interspersed with letters from Rania's daughter Sophie, Resilience meets robotic and human colleagues, survives a battery of tests, and travels millions of miles into outer space, all experienced through an emotional humanistic lens. The format of brief journal entries and letters is engagingly readable for even reluctant readers, and the humorous interactions between robots and machines keep the science-heavy story moving at a reasonable pace. Readers learn about becoming a Mars rover as Resilience does, turning into the expert as Resilience further learns how to be human. Warga's character development is consistent with human and nonhuman figures, particularly Rania and Sophie; their Arabic language and culture weave smoothly throughout the story and elevate the reading experience. Rania's very real challenges of being a working wife and mother in a male-dominated field round out an authentic, modern text. The arc of the story travels into the future for a happy ending that sacrifices realism for sweetness, but the overall experience is quite satisfying. VERDICT A fresh format and timely topic engage readers in this uplifting and deeply human sci-fi story.—Casey O'Leary

Review

Warga follows her cybernetic narrator from first awareness to final resting place--and stony indeed will be any readers who remain unmoved by the journey. The intelligences here may be (mostly) artificial, but the feelings are genuine and deep.

-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09PNL388L
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Balzer + Bray (October 4, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 4, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 11874 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 310 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 336 ratings

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Jasmine Warga

Jasmine Warga

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
336 global ratings
Cute story
5 Stars
Cute story
Cute story! Love the concept of it.
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Top reviews from the United States

Leslie
5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting story line.
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
I never expected to like a book about robots but this book is different!
It involves you right away with the humanizing of the robot. I learned much about rovers and their important mission. I highly recommend this book.
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AV_Therearenobadbooks
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, will never look at the stars the same way
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is an amazing book that combines science and emotions cleverly and creatively. An amazing space-exploration middle grade that will appeal to all ages.

We have different points of view, but the main character is a Rover based on the one on Mars (Perseverance which is collecting samples and sending us photos and that at this time (2023) still doesn't have an assured return schedule may or may to Earth, but maybe in the 2030s it will). The Rover in this novel is Resilience and the author humanized this machine and companions by giving them an understanding and learning capacity of feeling emotions, building relationships, unique personalities, and caring.

It's adventurous and exciting, I couldn't stop reading and it made me want to learn and research all about the ones working there on Mars right now and NASA's efforts.

At the same time, we get access to the life of a 12-year-old who corresponds to Rover (Res) as her daily journal sharing her struggles and joys, choices, changes in her life, and moments of sadness and bliss. The format is great.

I've also listened to the audiobook after reading and the different narrators are a great choice for the characters.
Customer image
AV_Therearenobadbooks
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, will never look at the stars the same way
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2023
This is an amazing book that combines science and emotions cleverly and creatively. An amazing space-exploration middle grade that will appeal to all ages.

We have different points of view, but the main character is a Rover based on the one on Mars (Perseverance which is collecting samples and sending us photos and that at this time (2023) still doesn't have an assured return schedule may or may to Earth, but maybe in the 2030s it will). The Rover in this novel is Resilience and the author humanized this machine and companions by giving them an understanding and learning capacity of feeling emotions, building relationships, unique personalities, and caring.

It's adventurous and exciting, I couldn't stop reading and it made me want to learn and research all about the ones working there on Mars right now and NASA's efforts.

At the same time, we get access to the life of a 12-year-old who corresponds to Rover (Res) as her daily journal sharing her struggles and joys, choices, changes in her life, and moments of sadness and bliss. The format is great.

I've also listened to the audiobook after reading and the different narrators are a great choice for the characters.
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5 people found this helpful
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Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars "Avoid dust. See stars."
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
Our entire family LOVED this book. We alternately read it aloud and listened to the audiobook. I've already given two copies as gifts and can't stop recommending it. It's full of heart, science, and stars. If you love Wall-E and Mars, you'll love this! Recommended for all ages. The audiobook is particularly excellent, if you prefer that option.
2 people found this helpful
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Kris S
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun middle school book
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2023
This was a fun middle school book. It tells the adventures of Res as he flies to Mars to collect data and to try to locate a lost robot. It's a book about friendship and persevering. I listened to it through Libby and the narrator did a good job with it.
2 people found this helpful
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LunaSong92
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute story
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
Cute story! Love the concept of it.
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LunaSong92
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute story
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2024
Cute story! Love the concept of it.
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Jeannette T Suhr
5.0 out of 5 stars Fall in love with Resilience - Res, the Rover
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
I've always been interested in the Mars rovers and Jasmine did a wonderful job of bringing rovers and their drones to life. This book is a fun read and Jasmine did such a great job of endearing these characters to me that I was almost brought to tears several times throughout the story. What a talent to not only create these characters, and some humans, too, but to also bring information to the reader about NASA's rover programs and their discoveries. I highly recommend this book for adults as well as children maybe from seven years and up. I would like to read it to my 7YO grandson. I think he would thoroughly enjoy it. And be asking lots of questions that I will try to answer.
3 people found this helpful
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Thanyak
5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter's new favorite book
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book has everything for a space and STEM loving little girl. The experiences of the girl in the story are very relatable. Her relationship with her mother, friends and just growing up. The robot is also very endering as he begins to feel human emotion. Highly recommend.
2 people found this helpful
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Ceci S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024
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My daughter love it.
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Top reviews from other countries

Michelle Conway
5.0 out of 5 stars I’m in love with a robot!
Reviewed in Canada on February 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
My students and I are enjoying this book so much! Great social emotional read with a computer science theme.
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HMK
5.0 out of 5 stars Will Definitely be Using it with class this year
Reviewed in Canada on August 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great book!! Will be using with my Gr.7 class this year. Deals with many concepts including teamwork, determination, resilience, friendships and communication.
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Grandma
5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas gift
Reviewed in Canada on February 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
My Granddaughter loved this book and rated it a 10/10
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