I have to admit, I’m in a little bit of Artemis mission withdrawal. Watching Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy these past few weeks have filled me with wonder, (moon) joy, camaraderie and hope. As incredible as this is for adults to experience, the sparks of curiosity that I see among the children in my life is extraordinary. This is the perfect moment to fan that flame of interest in STEM into something more. So if you have a kid age 9 and up in your life who was glued to the Artemis II footage and can’t wait for the next mission, here are a few books that I love that I think will help hold them over until Artemis III.

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The Last Dragon of Mars by Scott Reintgen

Scott Reintgen writes some of my favorite science fiction for kids. I first fell in love with the Nyxia series (which I heartily recommend for older kids since it’s more YA). The Last Dragon of Mars is an exciting fantasy/science fiction crossover. I’d categorize it as military sci-fi (think Ender’s Game), and there are DRAGONS! That turn into spaceships! Pick this up for the kid in your life who loves an adventure filled with danger, suspense, and a lovable cast of characters.

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

I have to admit, when I first saw the cover of this book (which is gorgeous!) I never would have thought it took place on a spaceship. But indeed it does! This book is so beautifully written, it’s almost a love letter to storytelling, but through the lens of a girl traveling to a new planet on spaceship. Pick this one up for the booklover who is looking for an introspective and immersive story.

The Lion of Mars by Jennifer Holm

This is one of Jennifer Holm’s least-known books, which I will never understand why. It’s heartwarming, wholesome, and sweet. This character-driven story is about orphaned kids living in a colony on Mars. It deals with the death of a minor characters in a tender and age appropriate way. Pick this one up for the thoughtful feline-lover (the lion is a cat).

The Last Day on Mars by Kevin Emerson

This is a twisty, exhilarating adventure that takes place during the evacuation of the mars colony. It tells the story of kids who have grown up on mars after the Earth has fallen into the sun (!!!). Unfortunately, Mars is not far behind and its time to leave again to look for a new planet to call home. But not everything is as it seems… This book ends on a cliffhanger that made me shout in surprise. Pick this up for the thrill loving kid.

How I Hacked the Moon by R.A. Dines

I wrote this book, which makes it impossible for me to talk about objectively. Growing up, reading science fiction and fantasy, I noticed that most books focused on a male-gendered protagonist who was special or extraordinary in some way. But I yearned for a character who was more like me: not particularly special, easy to overlook, lonely. My secret agenda with How I Hacked the Moon is to turn more kids into avid Sci-Fi fans. Pick this one up for the kid who thinks they don’t like science fiction, but are willing to be convinced by an immersive story that focuses more on human relationships than science.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

I first read this book when I was in fifth grade and I thought it was absolutely hilarious. I reread it as an adult and found it held up beautifully: it’s absurd, it’s ridiculous, it’s delightful. A true classic. Pick this one up for the kid in your life who likes humorous books.

A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga

With a similar literary style to The Last Cuentista, A Rover’s Story is an engaging correspondence between a young girl and a Mars rover. Yep, a girl writing letters to a Mars Rover. But that Rover waxes lyrical, saying things like, “I experience the human emotion of hope. It is a sticky and strange feeling. It is a beautiful one.” I think about this book a lot, it’s stayed with me in a way that I didn’t expect. Pick this up for the quiet kid in your life.

Farther than the Moon by Lindsay Lackey

My only non-sci-fi recommendation on this list. I really loved this gentle story of a boy who wants to be an astronaut and gets the opportunity to go to space camp. It has realistic and beautifully flawed characters who try to do right by each other (most of the time). The main character has a younger sibling who is disable, which is an experience I can relate to personally, and I thought it was treated respectfully and realistically. Pick this up for the kid who wants to work for NASA when they grow up.

What else?

What am I missing? I have a much longer list of middle grade science fiction that you can check out here, but I know my knowledge is incomplete. Tell me what your favorites are!

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