A Rover's Story
on Goodreads (7,954)
What’s inside...
New York Times bestseller and Best Book of the Year from The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, New York Public Library, and Chicago Public Library, this middle-grade novel follows Resilience, a Mars rover, on a unique and emotional journey. Despite being built for Mars exploration and lacking the capacity for human emotions, Res begins to develop humanlike feelings through interactions with NASA scientists. Facing the harsh realities of Mars, including dust storms and cliffs, Resilience navigates the treacherous terrain while people on Earth watch his progress. This novel explores whether Resilience can live up to his name, embodying determination, courage, and resilience to succeed and survive on Mars.
Age
8-11
Length
320 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Resilience
Journey
Rani
Discussion points
How do you think Resilience felt when he was discovering new things on Mars?
What are some ways you could explore like Resilience, even if it's not on Mars?
Resilience changes throughout the story. Can you think of a time when you changed your mind about something important?
If you could send a message to Resilience, what would you tell him?
How do you think teamwork helped Resilience and the other characters in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in Resilience’s position, exploring Mars. Ask them what they would feel, see, and do.
Discuss the importance of curiosity and learning, relating it to everyday situations your child encounters.
After reading, ask your child to draw or write about what an ideal space exploration would look like for them.
Facilitate a mini 'research project' where your child can learn more about Mars or space exploration and share their findings with the family.
Emphasize teamwork by pointing out moments in the story where cooperation led to success, and relate this to your child’s experiences with friends or classmates.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance through challenges
Explanation: The story of the rover, Resilience, embodies perseverance as it faces numerous obstacles and trials in its mission on Mars. Despite challenges, it continues to strive towards its goals.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persist in the face of difficulties, whether in academics, sports, or personal projects, understanding that challenges are part of any journey and can be overcome with determination.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Throughout the book, Resilience learns about human emotions and starts to understand them, teaching readers the importance of empathy.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to be more considerate and understanding towards the feelings of their peers, promoting a more inclusive and caring environment at school or in social settings.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The rover’s successful mission hinges on collaboration among various team members, highlighting the significance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by working cooperatively in team projects or sports, learning that collective effort often leads to greater success.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and the joy of discovery
Explanation: Resilience's journey fuels its curiosity about Mars, mirroring the natural curiosity of children and the excitement of learning and discovery.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to explore new subjects, ask questions, and engage deeply in their learning process, which can enhance their educational experience and personal growth.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to change
Explanation: As the rover encounters the unpredictable elements of Mars, it has to adapt to continue its mission effectively, showing the importance of adaptability.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of being flexible and adapting to new situations or changes in their lives, whether it's moving to a new school or adjusting to a new family dynamic.