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Packing for Mars for Kids
CCBC Review:
How do astronauts eat and drink in space? How do they poop and pee and bathe? Grossly fascinating, this adaptation of the author’s adult book Packing for Mars focuses largely on the lack of gravity’s impact on the mechanics of being able to do the things a body needs to do to survive, and how scientists and engineers have come up with workable—if not always appealing—solutions. Chapter titles such as “Barfing on the Ceiling,” “Toilet Training for Adults,” “Strange Dinners,” and “Life Without a Bath” hint at the author’s willingness to be up front about the complicated, messy (literally) reality in a narrative that goes all-in on the details, with plenty of quotes from astronauts supporting this not-so-starry-eyed look at space travel. A final chapter, “Roommates for Very Small Rooms,” looks at the challenges of spending a lot of time with the same person or group of people in very tight quarters. Occasional black-and-white photographs are included throughout. ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Age 9 and older
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects:
Engineering and Engineers
Science and Scientists
Space/Astronomy
Publisher:
Norton
Publish Year: 2022
Pages: 136
ISBN: 9781324019374
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 571 Roach