A Rover's Story

by Jasmine Warga

A Rover's Story has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.

Genres: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Childrens, Adventure, Space

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 4, 2022

About the author

Jasmine Warga is a writer from Cincinnati, Ohio who currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. She is the internationally bestselling author of My Heart and Other Black Holes and Here We Are Now. Her books have been published in over twenty-five countries and optioned for film. Her debut middle grade novel, Other Words For Home, will be published in Spring 2019. Jasmine lives in an apartment filled with books with her husband, two tiny daughters, large dog, and mischievous cat.


**I am only on Goodreads when one of my publishers sets up a Q&A for me, so the best way to contact me is through my website: www.jasminewarga.com or on twitter: @jasminewarga. Thank you so much for reading my books!**

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rover's Story
By Jasmine Warga
Wow, just wow! First I want to clarify that this is marketed for middle grade but I believe teens and adults will enjoy this emotional, science fiction story. This book will stick in your hearts and minds long after reading it.
The story revolves around a Mars rover while he is being built and all the way to Mars! It's dialogue to his"team" which is other robots. Unfortunately humans can't hear him. One of the NASA scientists that is working on him has a daughter who is 12 years old when the book starts and she writes letters to the rover but he will never see them.
A lot of the story is told this way and it is unique and powerful the way the author uses it. The rover runs into extreme difficulties and on Earth the girl is growing and the family is having it's own problems. An important thing to know about the rover is that he is becoming sentient. Making decisions and disregarding command center because of feelings.
I am not ashamed to say that this author made me cry a few times and I am not one that cries easily. It was due to special moments and sad moments too. The ending was satisfying! This book touched on so much including friendship, family, perseverance, courage, facing your fears, believing in yourself, love, never giving up, death, and so much more. This is one of the BEST books I've read this year!
This book uses science facts and added terrific fiction to make an absolutely amazing experience!
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this wise and wonderful book!

[talia ♡]

one thing about me is that i would die and kill for the mars rover

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 8 yr old son loved this so much he demanded I move it to the top of my reading list immediately so he could talk with me about it. Super cute.

[Lizzy (reviewsshewrote) · Rating 5 out of 5]

beeps and boops and now I’m crying over a fictional mars rover

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread for a project. Cried even more at the ending than I did the first time! Beautiful book.

[Sarah Swann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beeps and Boops, this was so precious! I loved how the author took real science and made it interesting and fresh. Seeing Res on Mars and exploring was cool and the reality of these missions was very interesting. I also liked following along with the human world through the letters. I thought it was incredibly creative. I will definitely read more from this author.

[Allyson Gilliam]

I arrived here because I cried at the Satellite music video and Lizzie (@reviewsshewrote) told me to read this, so I read it. And I cried at this too. Something about anthropomorphic stories, man.

A human in a book is sad? Awww. Bummer.
A robot in a book is sad? Don’t talk to me for 3 weeks while I grieve and take baths in the dark with ‘Only Time’ by Enya playing.

[Katie Ziegler (Life Between Words) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely, inspiring, heartfelt novel about a Mars rover named Resilience who has human emotions, and a little girl (who grows into an adult because this book takes place over the course of *many* years) who writes letters to the rover. There is so much pathos in this novel, so much hope and heart. I fell in love with this plucky, courageous robot and his companions (do you need to suspend your disbelief that a robot could develop human emotions? sure. but I bought into it and I loved it)! Also, I wept. Wept big time.

If you have a kid who is interested in space, or NASA, or science in general—READ THIS BOOK. It is clever and—to use the word I've used in this review already—so inspiring. I walked away reveling in the incredible-ness of human ingenuity and curiosity and innovation! And if you want to hand it to a kid and also read it yourself? All the better. It'll grow your heart three sizes, which is one of the best things a good middle grade novel does.

[Steph ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was absolutely adorable. There were so many more feelings in this than I was anticipating, and it got really deep there at the end. It's such a good middlegrade.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I wish the publisher would include the author's note to the reader that is in the ARC. "Mama, do you think the robot is scared?" gets across the emotional depth of this novel. Love the dual perspective of Resilience and Sophie. Love story. Kind of wish it was true.

[Reilly Zimbric · Rating 5 out of 5]

*insert picture of me sobbing*

[Shaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew that a book about a Mars Rover would make this grown woman cry? It’s a story about a rover named Resilience who tries to live up to its name, the scientists who made it, the red planet it explores, and it’s dearest friend, Fly, a drone. It’s full of nerdy sciencey goodness, humor, excitement and heart. It’s a little bit The One and Only Ivan meets The Wild Robot, so bring tissues.

If you have kids who love space or science or engineering, this is the book for you! It’s appropriate even for young middle grade readers, such as my 6 year old daughter, who loved it. There’s women in science and ethnic diversity represented and the exploration of Mars was just SO COOL.

[Trevor Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beeps and Boops

I guess sentient robots really have a chokehold on my heart because between this, wall-e, and in the lives of puppets I have sobbed an ocean

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Rover’s Story is a fresh, heartwarming middle grade sci-fi book about family, science, coding, and robots. It explores the power of human emotions and the fact that while there’s a time and place for logic, emotions add so much color to our lives. I’m not a huge fan of books from non-human perspectives, so I was hesitant to read this one, but the writing was so well done, and I found myself emotional at a few points throughout the story, so I definitely recommend this!

Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/a-rove...

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very sweet, and I think it is a perfect book for chapter book readers who love science. I did think the voice for Sophie in middle school felt a little younger than was correct for her age--especially as she was going into 8th grade, but that was such a small point of the story. I enjoyed this a lot!

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know my soul was going to be shattered by a robot

[Clara Levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mission objective avoid dust & see stars.✨

[Chaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Res is so perfect. I love him😭💙

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: A ROVER’S STORY by Jasmine Warga, HarperCollins/Balzer+Bray, October 2022, 320p., ISBN: 978-0-06-311392-1

“But time will tell of stars that fell
A million years ago”
– Justin Hayward, “You Can Never Go Home” (1971)

“Google (GOOG) has fired the engineer who claimed an unreleased AI system had become sentient, the company confirmed, saying he violated employment and data security policies.
Blake Lemoine, a software engineer for Google, claimed that a conversation technology called LaMDA had reached a level of consciousness after exchanging thousands of messages with it.
Google confirmed it had first put the engineer on leave in June. The company said it dismissed Lemoine’s ‘wholly unfounded’ claims only after reviewing them extensively. He had reportedly been at Alphabet for seven years. In a statement, Google said it takes the development of AI ‘very seriously’ and that it’s committed to ‘responsible innovation.’”
– CNN Business (7/25/2022)

“A good science fiction work posits one vision for the future, among countless possibilities, that is built on a foundation of realism. In creating a link between the present and the future, science fiction invites us to consider the complex ways our choices and interactions contribute to generating the future.”
– from Hieroglyph, a project of the Center for Science and the Imagination at Arizona State University (2016)

“I still do not have a message from the command center.
‘We should receive a message from the command center soon, right?’ I ask Guardian.
Come on, Rania, I think. Come on Xander. I am counting on you to help me. We are a team. Aren’t we?
‘Perhaps,’ Guardian says. Not always. If there is nothing drastically wrong with your system. then this is a routine problem. Rovers are expected to solve routine problems.’
‘But I don’t know if I can.’
Maybe rational rovers like Journey can solve routine problems. But I feel the human emotion of doubt winding its way through my system, snaking into my wiring and dripping down into the core of my battery.
The hazmats sent the wrong rover, I think.
And because they sent the wrong rover, we are stuck. The mission is stuck.
‘You can do this, Res,’ Fly says. I have sensed Fly jittering around inside of me. He is not literally having technical system issues, but he is clearly in distress.
‘Could I help?’ Fly suggests.
‘I’m not sure…’
‘I could do a quick flight and scan the area. Maybe there is something you aren’t seeing,’ Fly says.
‘I don’t see anything from way up here, but Fly could get a more detailed look,’ Guardian inputs.
‘What do you think, Res?’ Fly asks.
I am unsure. There is a chance Fly could be helpful, but I also don’t want to put Fly in any unnecessary danger.
‘I think I should do it! I’m going to do it!’ Fly says, and before I’ve responded, Fly has already sputtered out from inside me and is darting off ahead. ‘Just hold on, Res! I’ll let you know if I see anything.’
‘Fly, please be safe.’
‘I’m fine!’
‘And, Fly?’
‘Yes?’
‘Thank you,’ I say.”

So concludes a three-way computer conversation between a Mars rover named Resilience; a drone named Fly which, when not completing tasks, is housed within Resilience’s shell; and a space satellite circling the red planet named Guardian.

Author Jasmine Warga has done a stellar job of keeping the near-future technology descriptions quite realistic while illustrating the possibility that the inputting of language, the ability to override instructions, and the extensive formal and informal interactions in the lab between scientists and their machines-with-decision-making-abilities, might ultimately lead to those cutting-edge computer-brained machines expressing emotions, developing a sense of self, and making decisions that are not necessarily based purely upon facts.

Where is the line between machine and living being when the machines begin expressing hopes, fears, attachments, annoyances, regrets, and desires for achievement? Even Rania and Xander–the pair of scientists who have poured their hearts and souls into creating Resilience, and clearly feel like proud parents–cannot hear what the machines are “saying” to one another. (It’s sort of heartbreaking at tense or exciting moments when Resilience wants so badly to communicate with Rania or Xander but cannot.) The scientists are oblivious to the computer conversations that are increasingly bonding the machines to one another.

For me, thinking back over the mind-blowing tsunami of technological advances that have taken place since Scout camp in 1969, when we sat in the dining hall and watched Neil Armstrong moonwalk, only adds to the believability of this tale.

The bottom line is that A ROVER’S STORY is one of the finest pieces of tween sci-fi that I’ve read.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com

[mads · Rating 4 out of 5]

beeps and boops this was adorable

[Jennifer Mangler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book my space-loving geeky heart adores. I know there’s a legitimate argument against anthropomorphizing the rover (Res), the drone (Fly), and the satellite (Guardian), but I really enjoyed it. I didn’t want to put the book down. I love the way Res notices and appreciates Rania’s code. It’s one of my favorite parts of the book.

[Carol (Reading Ladies) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga is a poignant and page-turning story of Resilience and Friendship for all ages (MG+).

A Rover’s Story is the fictionalized story of a Mars rover named Resilience (“Res” is his nickname). As scientists assemble Res, he begins to experience human emotions. Resilience can understand human speech and begins to feel human emotions. He can communicate with other machines and his best friends include a “twin” rover named Journey and a friendly drone helicopter named Fly. When Res and Fly land on Mars they encounter dangers that include difficult landscapes, cliffs, and dust storms. Will they survive their Mars experience? Will they complete their mission? Can they return to Earth?

I love a story that varies the format to include letters and/or journal entries. Although we hear the story through Resilience’s first person account, we are treated to Sophie’s letters (journal entries) which provide a larger context and an additional perspective. Sophie is the twelve-year-old daughter of a scientist that programmed Resilience. One day, Sophie’s teacher asks the class to write a letter to the rover and Sophie continues writing these (unmailed) letters as journal entries during the years that Resilience is in space. Through these letters that are written over several years, we gain knowledge that Res doesn’t have about human interest in Resilience, the space program, and the passage of time. We also become acquainted with Sophie and the challenges she faces.

A Rover’s Story has a sweet and wistful tone as Res operates in the uncertain and undefined realm between machines and humans. Sophie also faces a poignant family health crisis.

Even though I enjoyed the somewhat wistful and melancholy tone, I wish the author had included a bit more humor. There are some humorous passages, but throughout the story, Resilience struggles with feelings about friendship and love that other machines don’t experience. We know Resilience will never be fully human and so there’s a sadness that tugs at our hearts for him.

Along with the wistful tone, there is an abundance of warmth in the story as Res explores the ideas of friendship and home.

Lovely themes in A Rover’s Story include friendship, family, resilience, feeling worthy, exploration, science and discovery, problem solving, overcoming obstacles, determination, courage, working moms, serious illness, hope, feelings vs. logic, grit, STEM, and home.

I’ve added A Rover’s Story to my list of favorite middle grade reads! For fans of Wall-E and Wild Robot, A Rover’s Story will appeal to readers of all ages who enjoy space exploration. This story would make a fabulous family or parent/child STEM read aloud! Gift the book along with this rover toy for science and space- loving 8-12 year olds!

Content Consideration: a mom with a serious illness

For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review was first published.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Thank you, Guardian. But you were the one who told me that rovers were not built to last forever. So, if you'll excuse me, I must make the time that I do have....worth it." Resilience

I think I will be in the minority on this one but it just didn't tug at my heartstrings like it did for many others. I was a little confused as to why Resilience had all these human emotions and the other robots did not and there was a particular plot point that I am now seeing in everything I am reading that I feel can become emotionally manipulative and even triggering for those of us who have had to deal with it.
I would still recommend it to middle grade readers who are interested in space exploration and I liked aspects of it but it just wasn't the 5 star read that so many others have had.

[Genres and Journals *Tia* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Who knew a book about a rover could make me have so many feelings??? This book was amazing. It definitely sparked an interest in the Mars exploration program with all of the intriguing details about the rovers. But it also had a great human emotion side to it as well. I loved that it followed Sophie throughout the whole time that Res was gone…adding in her story gave the book an extra dimension of depth that truly captured me.

[Claire Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEEPS AND BOOPS. You did it, Res!
The book really got me for a second. Res going offline, and Raina getting sick again. I'm glad that they got to go back to Earth, but I was very sad that Fly got left behind.

[Monica Hills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to use as a potential story for my sixth grade students. There was a lot that I liked about it. I liked Sophia's letters. She was an engaging character and I think my students could relate to some of the things she goes through. I also liked the aspects and real life knowledge students can learn about Mars and space. As a reader I did find Res's point of view a little difficult to get into. Obviously, he is a robot so the voice is going to be a little dry but I found myself tuning out sometimes. I think my lower readers will struggle with parts of the book when Res is telling the story. The book does read very quickly and that is always a plus for middle schoolers. Overall, an interesting story that I think students who normally like non-fiction will enjoy.

[vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very touching and emotional! I loved Warga's take on a sci-fi story, it's the kind of grounded sci-fi I can handle, where humans are a big part of the story and really, even our robot character "feels" like humans at times. I loved Res and Fly getting ready for their journey and their interactions with other inanimate objects (a tablet, a satellite, another rover, etc.). I wasn't quite sure about the long-term aspect of this story (many decades, with the child human character growing up to be an adult), but I get why this was a choice. I also found the cancer diagnosis probably a bit overwrought and soapy, but that may be a personal preference for me . I can't wait to recommend this book to kids! Also the audiobook was amazing.

[Krissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐

A touching story about what it means to be alive. Told from the alternating points of view of Resilience, a Mars rover, and Sophie, daughter of one of the scientists working on the rovers, comes a journey of self discovery, friendship, and the possibilities of new knowledge. I enjoyed seeing through the eyes of a rover and growing up with Sophie over two decades.

[Jessica Janeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this book made me more interested in NASA, space, & Mars! I absolutely adored Res, and Sophie. I am glad he proved to himself and others that sometimes human emotions are the things that make us stronger and not weaker!

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The arbitrary understanding of language by Res was annoying to me. I couldn’t help rolling my eyes every time “beeps and boops” was used too.