Peter Brown is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books.  The Wild Robot is his debut novel for middle grade readers.  It has already hit the New York Times Best Seller List and has been selected for several “Best of 2016” lists.  It is quite a charming and captivating tale, and some have compared it to the likes of Charlotte’s Web, in this regard.

While it is tempting to categorize this book as science fiction because of the advanced robot, or perhaps slot it as fantasy because the animals talk to one another, it is really a survival story with strong themes about adaptation, learning, acceptance, and friendship.  Mr. Brown has also included many illustrations that complement the narrative.  Stylistically, it lends itself to being an excellent read-aloud; likewise, with its brief chapters and direct, simple style it would be a splendid novel for those young readers transitioning to full-length novels.

Interestingly, this book is left a bit open-ended for a middle grade book that is not obviously part of a series.  Mr. Brown does a nice job though of assuring young readers that things will resolve and be all right.

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Destruction of property by natural forces; machine attacked by animals; animals hunt each other for food (no description); accidental death of a family of animals; animal tries to eat another animal; machine fights with bears resulting in damage; destruction by fire; frozen bodies of animals who died from cold are encountered, no description; report of animals being shot and one being killed; extended scene in which machine struggles/fights other machines; extended scene in which animals attack and destroy machines violently, somewhat graphic and extended descriptions, animals also injured.

Sex/Nudity:  None

Mature Subject Matter:

Survival, death of family (animal), animals eating each other for food.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None