Packing for Mars for kids

Best-selling, popular-science writer Roach ditches her usual audience (adults) for that of the middle-grade kid (her true kindred spirit) in this entertaining young reader's edition of Packing for Mars (2010). Streamlined to a cool seven chapters, Roach's book digs into the fun, the gross, and the unexpected challenges of space travel with a level of detail not typically seen in kid's books. The text is driven by Roach's genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for the information she imparts, and grounded in science without ever getting didactic. The majority of the book is devoted to astronauts' experiences, both in training and in space, and the science and engineering required to keep them alive and healthy. Readers will delight in the serious attention paid to bodily functions: throwing up in your helmet poses real dangers, and the chapter on space toilets (and the dreaded fecal bag) is a thing of wonder. Also covered are the challenges of showering in space, astronauts' food, and living in tight quarters with others. Photos and snippets from conversations between astronauts and mission control jazz up chapters, but the real boost comes from Roach's engaging tone and active role in what she's reporting. She doesn't just talk about parabolic, anti-gravity plane flights and spinning chairs for motion-sickness testing; she takes a ride on both. Kids will eagerly join her every step of the way.