The Wild Robot

The Wild Robot is a fiction novel by author and illustrator Peter Brown. The Wild Robot is the first in the series, with The Wild Robot Escapes as the second novel and The Wild Robot Protects as the third in the series, which is coming out in September of 2023.  The novel is about 270 pages, but is filled with beautiful illustrations throughout that make the book feel shorter than it really is. The chapters are short, so the reader moves through the novel faster than expected. The Wild Robot is a story of friendship and openess to new experiences and how to learn from others through those experiences.  

A hurricane sinks a cargo ship, but only a few boxes make it to the surface of the ocean and float toward a nearby island. Although these boxes survived the ship's sinking, only one box remains unharmed after crashing against the shore of the island.  From that crate emerges a robot, who comes to life after a curious otter accidentally flips the power switch, turning this mysterious creature on.  ROZZUM 7134, better known as "Roz" comes to life, surrounded by the only home she has ever known.  She knows no different than the island and knows little about herself and her capabilities, but she does know she is a fast learner and is good at observing the things around her and learning from her experiences.  As she learns more about the island and the various animals that inhabit it, she quickly finds out the creatures want nothing to do with her.  The animals view her as a "monster" and avoid her at all costs. It seems Roz is alone in the fight for survival until she realizes she needs to do what she does best: observe and collect data.  She camoflages herself to watch the island creatures and learn their language and their habits. In learning their life, she begins to understand them better and even help them in any way she can. One day there is a terrible accident and it forces Roz into a role she is not prepared for and doesn't have knowledge about. Even with this new role and new friends on the island, Roz cannot hide from her past. Someone knows she is missing and that she is on this island - and that person needs her back.  

The Wild Robot is a book my students have been begging me to read and it did not disappoint!  I think both boys and girls of all ages would enjoy this novel.  It is very appropriate for all ages, so this could be a great read for elementary school ages who can handle a longer chapter book, or a class read-aloud.  This is a beautiful story of friendship: how to make friends but also how to foster and develop a friendship with others that are not like ourselves.  It is a wonderful story of ignoring first impressions - not judging by the appearance on the outside, but to take the time to get to know the person (or robot) inside. The Wild Robot reminds the reader we all have unique strengths, and we depend on those strengths to support each other and better the place we live together. It is also a great story of companionship and how 2 very different beings can need each other in ways they never realized they would. This is a fabulous read for 4th - 6th graders with such strong, life-long themes that are great for all kids. The precious illustrations are just the icing on the cake to make this novel a MUST-read for all students!  However, I encourage you to make sure you have the sequel close by.  I was upset when I realized I was at the end of the story and would not find out what happened to Roz, so I will be heading to the library tomorrow to grab the sequel!