The Wild Robot by Peter Brown is a beautifully written blend of science fiction and fantasy that follows Roz, a robot who unexpectedly becomes part of the natural world.
Reading Level
Lexile 740L
Interest Level
Grades 3-5
Length
288 pages
Award
Kirkus Prize Nominee
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⭐ About the Book
After a hurricane destroys a cargo ship carrying hundreds of robots, only one unit survives. Roz washes ashore on an unnamed island in the Pacific Northwest, where she awakens alone, surrounded by wildlife.
At first, the animals fear her, believing she is a monster. Roz quietly observes them, learns their language, and begins helping them with everyday challenges. Her life changes when she accidentally causes a rockslide that destroys a family of geese, leaving behind a single egg. Roz cares for the egg, and when it hatches, she becomes the mother of a gosling named Brightbill. Through motherhood, Roz discovers friendship, community, and what it means to belong.
This award‑winning novel is perfect for upper elementary readers. Its themes of survival, family, adaptation, and compassion make it ideal for teaching character development, theme, point of view, and problem‑solving.
⭐ Book Details
| Publication Date | April 5, 2016 |
| Reading Level | Lexile 740L • Guided Reading Level R |
| Interest Level | Grades 3–5 |
| Awards | Kirkus Prize Nominee • ALA Notable Book • Charlotte Huck Honor • Multiple “Best of 2016” lists |
| Length | 288 pages (approx. 87,840 words) |
| Estimated Reading Time | About 5 hours and 51 minutes |
| Audiobook Length | 4 hours and 14 minutes |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Setting | An unnamed island in the Pacific Northwest |
| Themes | Family, Friendship, Survival, Community, Adaptation |
| Point of View | Third-person omniscient |
| Memorable Quote | “I do not know how to act like a mother.” |
| First Line | “Our story begins on the ocean, with wind and rain and thunder and lightning and waves.” |
Activities for The Wild Robot
Book Unit Samples
This sample includes
- Vocabulary Practice for Chapters 1-5
- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-5
- Constructed Response Question – Point of View
Teaching Idea #1 ~ Characters
This free printable with an answer key included helps students keep track of the story. Students use the chart to write details about how Roz helps the animals on the island and then how they in return help her. After students complete the chart, it may be used to create a T-Chart to compare and contrast the animals to Roz. Each page has a new task.
Teaching Idea #2 ~ The Wild Robot Anchor Chart
Have students write a compare and contrast essay using the information on the chart. Students can compare how different animals helped Roz by detailing which animals made the most impact on saving Roz’s life.
Teaching Idea #3 ~ Peter Brown Website
Peter Brown not only wrote The Wild Robot but illustrated it as well. Visit his website to learn about the process he went through in creating the story as well as the illustrations.
Have students write an essay explaining how the illustrations in The Wild Robot help the reader better understand the story.
Teaching Idea #4 ~ Videos
These two videos show how to create robots from common household items. Students paint and then glue cardboard boxes and plastic cups together. The robots are decorated with buttons, pipe cleaners, and various other materials.
See the product that inspired this post.
The Wild Robot Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
Visit all three blog posts.
7 comments
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I have never seen this book before! I know several kids who are OBSESSED with robots and would absolutely love this story as well as creating one out of recycled material. What a cute idea!
Julie
The Techie Teacher
Author
Hi Julie,
The Wild Robot is a great book! It was just published last April, so it’s quite new. I’m sure your students who like robots would love it.
Thank you, Gay! I can’t wait to purchase this book. I’m thinking of so many ideas for my invention unit.
This looks like such a fun book, and I can see it tying in nicely with simple machines. I will certainly pass it on to our third grade team. Thanks for sharing the samples and joining in the link up!
Carla
This looks like such a cute book! I love your anchor chart and the activities you included! Such a great way to work on compare and contrast!
So many great ideas for this cute mentor text. Thank you.
Thank you for the free graphic organizer and for sharing your wonderful ideas! I’m looking forward to checking out this book. 🙂