Oasis - by Guojing

About the Book

Two children and one robot take center stage in this timely exploration of how far AI technology can go.

Book Synopsis

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR for The New York Times, NPR, Publisher's Weekly, and more!

★ SEVEN STARRED REVIEWS! ★
"It's rare to find a book so thought-provoking and haunting that also feels like it's welcoming the reader with a warm hug." - The New York Times

With all the heart of The Wild Robot and the wonder of A Rover's Story, two children and one robot form an unbreakable bond as they survive in a world that values the efficiency of tech over the care of humanity.

JieJie and her little brother, DiDi, are living on their own in a barren desert while their mother works tirelessly to earn their admission into Oasis City. Their days are filled with weathering sandstorms and scavenging for water, but everything changes when they come across an AI-powered robot lying dormant in an abandoned junkyard.

Filled with equal parts hope and suspense, Oasis tells the story of a potentially not-so-distant future that you won't ever forget.

"Perfectly blending story and art, this deeply compelling fable assures middle-grade readers that, with resilience, adaptability, and the hope for connection, love can prevail even amid desolation." - Booklist, starred review

"The children are at the heart of the narrative, and the family they form, unconventional as it may be, offers a breath of hope in a dark time." - Kirkus, starred review

Review Quotes

★ SEVEN STARRED REVIEWS ★
A New York Times Best Book of the Year
An NPR Best Book of the Year
A PEN America Best Book of the Year
A Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A BookPage Best Book of the Year
A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Title
And more!

"It's rare to find a book so thought-provoking and haunting that also feels like it's welcoming the reader with a warm hug. . .This oddly uplifting story lets readers see how JieJie and DiDi's once desolate home becomes its own oasis of nurturing, where an unconventional and beautiful family blooms."--The New York Times

"Soft lines and simple character designs by Guojing (The Only Child) emphasize JieJie and DiDi's youthful vulnerability and optimism amid a somber landscape devastated by pollution and climate change. The delicate pencil shading evokes a powerful sense of tone and atmosphere, while large uncluttered panels inject a feeling of intimacy even in the vast desert. It's an evocative and moving graphic novel tale of sacrifice and what it means to be a family."--Publisher's Weekly, starred review

"A thought-provoking, affecting allegory that reflects difficult realities yet is filled with love." --Kirkus, starred review

"Subtle monochrome art in brilliantly paced, spare panels underscores the emotional depth of this compelling narrative. . .Perfectly blending story and art, this deeply compelling fable assures middle-grade readers that, with resilience, adaptability, and the hope for connection, love can prevail even amid desolation." --Booklist, starred review

"The graphic novel format is expertly used here to build narrative movement through both text and illustrations, and panel size and shifts in perspective highlight key moments. . .While hope hovers at the edges of the story, the primary focus is love, turning inward toward it and nurturing it when the larger world feels impossibly grim."--BCCB, starred review

"The story unfolds cinematically, with carefully orchestrated images capturing evocative facial expressions in dynamic exchanges between characters seeking refuge and familial reconciliation. . .Themes of struggling for survival, preserving family connections, embracing humanity, and cultivating love resonate throughout this endearing tale of perseverance marked by hope against all odds." --Horn Book, starred review

"Oasis is a visually arresting, emotionally moving tale sure to resonate with readers drawn to stories about family in its many guises, as well as those compelled to contemplate the ways in which technology can pull us apart--or become a surprising catalyst for drawing us closer together." --Book Page, starred review

"... Spectacular stunner that perfectly balances evocative art with minimal text...Guojing's stunning sophomore graphic novel captures an unbreakable bond between children and their parent, despite separation and deprivation."--Shelf Awareness, starred review

About the Author

GuoJing is an award-winning author and illustrator based in Canada. Her debut book, The Only Child, was a New York Times best illustrated book of the year amongst many other distinctions and accolades. Oasis is her fourth graphic novel and was inspired by the phenomena of "left-behind children"; children who are left in rural areas while their parents leave to find work in the city.