From the Publisher
It’s a gripping read. The novel does a terrific job of communicating scientific information to young readers, and it’s also emotionally satisfying.”
— New York Times Book 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)
"A touching, fact-filled novel [that] centers the maturation of gutsy Mars rover Resilience.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“An endlessly inventive story, replete with gentle humor and playful pondering, offering a unique perspective on everything from music and electronics to loyalty and love. Res is written in a distinct, precise voice and sweetly countered by interspersed letters to the rover from a young girl intimately connected to his being, and both thoughtfully evolve as the years pass. A profound and poignant exploration of the universe both outside and within us all.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Will thrill fans of both adventure and robot stories and also provide intellectual sustenance for the deep thinkers…Through the character of a robot Warga probes issues of identity, attachment, and the purpose of life, offering readers an unusual but heartfelt example of the importance of staying true to yourself, quirks and all." — Horn Book Magazine
“A fictional Mars Rover narrates its own journey from the robotics lab to the Red Planet. 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. A fresh format and timely topic engage readers in this uplifting and deeply human sci-fi story.” — School Library Journal
“This is far from just a cerebral exploration of what humanity means, however, and there’s plenty of adventure and tension as Res confronts dust storms, howling winds, gear-grinding gravel, and dangerous craters. Sure to correctly garner comparisons to Brown’s The Wild Robot, this shares that title’s appeal and accessibility.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"As a mechanical engineer and STEM-lover, this beautiful book filled my heart right to the top. Res may be a rover, but he taught me what it means to be fully alive." — Christina Soontornvat, two-time Newbery Honor recipient
Christina Soontornvat
"As a mechanical engineer and STEM-lover, this beautiful book filled my heart right to the top. Res may be a rover, but he taught me what it means to be fully alive."
ALA Booklist (starred review)
Warga’s middle-grade debut puts its hands around your heart and holds it, ever so gently, so that you’re aware of your own fragility and resilience: just as Jude is while her life changes drastically… Other Words for Home should find its way into every middle-grade reader’s hands.
Horn Book Magazine
Warga skillfully develops unique voices for her narrators, and the novel’s alternating-perspective structure works well. Emotions run high throughout the book without dragging down the plot, and the portrayal of middle-school life is utterly authentic.
ALA Booklist
This will spark meaningful discussions.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Warga limns a tale that downplays sensationalism while acknowledging the deep fear that many readers may carry regarding school shootings.
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2022-07-13
A Mars rover discovers that it has a heart to go with its two brains.
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. Though unable to ask questions of the hazmats (named for their suits) assembling it in a NASA lab, the rover, dubbed Resilience by an Ohio sixth grader, gets its first inklings of human feelings from two workers who talk to it, play it music, and write its pleasingly bug-free code. Other machines (even chatty cellphones) reject the notion that there’s any real value to emotions. But the longer those conversations go, the more human many start sounding, particularly after Res lands in Mars’ Jezero Crater and, with help from Fly, a comically excitable drone, and bossy satellite Guardian, sets off on twin missions to look for evidence of life and see if an older, silenced rover can be brought back online. Along with giving her characters, human and otherwise, distinct voices and engaging personalities, the author quietly builds solid relationships (it’s hardly a surprise when, after Fly is downed in a dust storm, Res trundles heroically to the rescue in defiance of orders) on the way to rest and joyful reunions years later. A subplot involving brown-skinned, Arabic-speaking NASA coder Rania unfolds through her daughter Sophia’s letters to Res.
The intelligences here may be (mostly) artificial, but the feelings are genuine and deep. (afterword, resources) (Science fiction. 9-13)
