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jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
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.
readsforlove's review against another edition
4.5
This is book 1 in my book study series I'm doing this summer, where I study NYT bestsellers, and other award winning middle grade novels and analyze what makes them stand out amongst other stories. For this novel, there are quite a few!
To start, this novel plays a lot with point of view. The bulk of the story is told from Res' POV, with frequent insertions from Sophie, the main scientist's daughter. This combination of narrators provides a very unique reading experience, as Sophie, being a human child, knows a lot more than Res about things happening in the world. Meanwhile, Res is a very limited narrator, learning the world as he grows older but still being very limited in what he knows due to his lack of exposure to lots of things. (He doesn't know what a sixth grader is until the end of the book!) This creates a deep level of dramatic irony which adds a LOT of tension to the story, as the reader knows a lot more about many things, and yet a lot less, as he is primed to do a very specific thing: explore Mars.
This experimentation really makes this book stand out, and I think it's a great book to give kids interested in science and space travel. I do wish Sophie's letters actually got to Res, though. Not sure how that would have worked, but it would have been nice.
To start, this novel plays a lot with point of view. The bulk of the story is told from Res' POV, with frequent insertions from Sophie, the main scientist's daughter. This combination of narrators provides a very unique reading experience, as Sophie, being a human child, knows a lot more than Res about things happening in the world. Meanwhile, Res is a very limited narrator, learning the world as he grows older but still being very limited in what he knows due to his lack of exposure to lots of things. (He doesn't know what a sixth grader is until the end of the book!) This creates a deep level of dramatic irony which adds a LOT of tension to the story, as the reader knows a lot more about many things, and yet a lot less, as he is primed to do a very specific thing: explore Mars.
This experimentation really makes this book stand out, and I think it's a great book to give kids interested in science and space travel. I do wish Sophie's letters actually got to Res, though. Not sure how that would have worked, but it would have been nice.
ellenslot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
notastate's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book!!! I knew I was going to be emotional over a story about a robot, and I was right. This is such a sweet story.
listless_librarian's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
dreadawn1988's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
This was such a cute middle grade although I believe that young adults and adults would also like it. I like Res' growth and his adventure. I like how the story also told about Sofie through letters.
chip4201's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
samrp01's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
acidicorchid's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This middle grade book skyrocketed itself to my top 5 list so fast. It's sweet, sad, heartwarming, and best of all based on the real Mars rovers!
It's not a difficult read, with short chapters lending to a quicker pace, but surprisingly introspective. Res is a little rover that spends a good portion of the book discovering himself, and we see that mirrored too in Sophia's letters as she goes through her own life.
There's lots of great information peppered throughout that'll push curious minds to do their own research on the real rovers and NASA (I know I fell down a brief rabbit hole for a but), but most of all its a good, solid story. Whether you're old or young, I really suggest giving it a try (especially if sentient robots are your jam!!).
It's not a difficult read, with short chapters lending to a quicker pace, but surprisingly introspective. Res is a little rover that spends a good portion of the book discovering himself, and we see that mirrored too in Sophia's letters as she goes through her own life.
There's lots of great information peppered throughout that'll push curious minds to do their own research on the real rovers and NASA (I know I fell down a brief rabbit hole for a but), but most of all its a good, solid story. Whether you're old or young, I really suggest giving it a try (especially if sentient robots are your jam!!).