Packing for Mars for Kids

by Mary Roach

“America’s funniest science writer” ( Washington Post ) asks the questions children ask in this young readers adaptation of her best-selling Packing for Mars . What is it like to float weightlessly in the air? What happens if you vomit in your helmet during a spacewalk? How do astronauts go to the bathroom? Is it true that they don’t shower? Can farts really be deadly in space?

Best-selling Mary Roach has the answers. In this whip-smart, funny, and informative young readers adaptation of her best-selling Packing for Mars , Roach guides us through the irresistibly strange, frequently gross, and awe-inspiring realm of space travel and life without gravity. From flying on NASA’s Weightless Wonder to eating space food, Packing for Mars for Kids is chock-full of firs-hand experiences and thorough research. Roach has crafted an authoritative and accessible book that is perfectly pitched to inquiring middle grade readers. 35 black-and-white photographs

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Middle Grade, Childrens, Humor, History, Space

144 pages, Hardcover

Published April 5, 2022

About the author

Mary Roach is a science author who specializes in the bizarre and offbeat; with a body of work ranging from deep-dives on the history of human cadavers to the science of the human anatomy during warfare.

Mary Roach is the author of the New York Times bestsellers STIFF: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers; GULP: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, PACKING FOR MARS: The Curious Science of Life in the Void; BONK: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex; and GRUNT: The Curious Science of Humans at War.

Mary has written for National Geographic, Wired, Discover, New Scientist, the Journal of Clinical Anatomy, and Outside, among others. She serves as a member of the Mars Institute's Advisory Board and the Usage Panel of American Heritage Dictionary. Her 2009 TED talk made the organization's 2011 Twenty Most-Watched To Date list. She was the guest editor of the 2011 Best American Science and Nature Writing, a finalist for the 2014 Royal Society Winton Prize, and a winner of the American Engineering Societies' Engineering Journalism Award, in a category for which, let's be honest, she was the sole entrant.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new edition of Packing for Mars is accessible, informative, and engaging. Roach gives us the nitty gritty on some basic needs for human beings in space. How do you use the toilet? What about taking a shower? Is it dangerous to have too much gas? How do you make food appetizing, nutritious, and edible? What causes irrational antagonism? Roach even spent time in a parabolic flight to learn about weightlessness. Includes historic photos and lots of great facts. Many have their sights set on sending human beings to Mars. Roach argues that even though we can explore the red planet without human contact, we still need to send people there to help further space exploration and make life better on earth.

Thank you to Norton Young Readers and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathie]

It's been a very long time since I laughed so much while reading a book. It was entertaining while also being super informative and interesting. I think the author's writing style will really appeal to middle-grade readers, and I hope to see more books by her for a young audience.

[Jessica F · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Who knows what strange wonders the future may hold? To explore space is to keep the door open to that future."

I hope this is but the first of many adaptations Mary Roach has in store for young readers!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is the greatest challenge for a rocket scientist? It turns out it is the human body. In seven chapters, crackling with curiosity and packed with surprising information, Roach opens our eyes to the many startling, impressive, and odiferous challenges space travel poses to astronauts and the engineers tasked with getting them off the earth. Packed with facts and unforgettable anecdotes, the slim volume is also beautifully organized and tightly written: moving from gravity, through what it’s like to fly, eliminations of all kinds, eating, hygiene and the kind of roommate issues that result from very small rooms. Lots of photographs, interviews, and startling transcripts of what mission control really says to astronauts, enliven an already fascinating text. Happily the focus is not entirely on bodily discomfort, as Roach elegantly frames the exploration of human space travel with the Monglofiers first balloon ascent and ends with Benjamin Franklin’s telling quote on that escape from gravity – an assessment as apt for travel to Mars as it was of our first attempt to rise above the soil. While there are strangely no sources or bibliography in this version of an adult book modified for children, much of the text is made up of directly attributed quotes, transcripts and personal experience.
Many thanks to Norton and NetGalley for an e-ARC in return for an honest review.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

The name of this book is incorrect, since 'Mars' isn't mentioned until page 127 of the 129 pages. This book discusses the history of problems that astronauts have had while traveling in space.

A trip to Mars will take 7 months. They will have:
- Gravity issues as everything floats
- Motion sickness per complications of inner ear biology
- Vomit (floats/sticks)
- Bathroom (poop floats too)
- Food quality and need to simulate home table
- No baths
- Tight living with roommates

It was interesting to hear the history of these very real problems, but I thought this book was going to be about actually traveling to Mars. I was maybe expecting to hear how the historical findings on each of these topics has led to a much better experience for astronauts for possible Mars travel.

2* for misrepresentation of topic

[Kristi Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Mary Roach's books and was extremely excited to see this young readers' edition of Packing for Mars. Space travel and exploration is a popular topic for students, and this book won't disappoint.

If you've read any of Roach's books, you know she has the ability to engage readers in various topics of science, and you also know that she comes by as much of her information by way of experience as by research. Oh, and there's probably not a question she's afraid to ask or a lead she's afraid to follow. In interviewing astronauts who've spent time in space, Jim Lovell (Apollo 13) responded to one of Roach's questions with, "You're investigating a rather unusual aspect of space flight."

Students will be likely be impressed by Roach's adventures on "the vomit comet" and (for middle school boys in particular) awed by her descriptions of trying to "go" in space. There are also chapters about the food one will be consuming, what happens when it comes back up, how to handle it when it passes all the way through, living the gravity-free life, living the bath-free life, and being stuck 24/7 in a tiny space with just a few other people when taking a walk to clear your head or get some space just isn't possible.

While the book might deter a kid or two who has dreamed of space travel, it will likely inspire others. Kind of funny how the gross-out factor works.

[John of Canada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Roach can do no wrong. For example, she is the first author who has put the sound of vomiting in a readable format. Any time you can have fun learning is a good time.

[Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

To a rocket scientist, the human being is a problem. We are the most irritating pieces of machinery a rocket scientist could ever have to deal with. We need food and water and eight hours of sleep to function. Our memory is puny. We're moody and unpredictable. A circuit board or propulsion nozzle on the other hand, is stable and undemanding. It does not eat or panic or forget to shut the air lock, and it never complains.

Roach dives deep into what scientists and astronauts have done to work against the effects of weightlessness in space. What happens if you throw up while you are in your space suit? And have you ever heard of a fecal bag? (Not for the reader who has a sensitive stomach ;)

WISH: The layout and design is not compelling - a lot of running text some black and white photos. AND Roach assumes the reader has some knowledge of the evolution of space travel. She moves from talking about "capsules" to "shuttles" (etc.) assuming the reader knows those are vehicles from different time periods. If you're going to book talk this to students, you might also encourage the to pick up John Rocco's award-winning How We Got to the Moon and Jeffrey Kluger's To the Moon! The True Story of the American Heroes on the Apollo 8 Spaceship. Neither one of this is a deal breaker - just something to think about when you're trying to get this book into kids' hands.

BOOK TALK THIS! - I'd read aloud pages 3-4 (the intro) and then share titles of the chapters - "Barfing on the Ceiling" and "Toilet Training for Grown-ups." Some will grab this up to read!

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s delightfully too many mentions of barf and poop in this book, but it’s sure to delight every middle grade reader interested in space travel. Real space travel.

Who knew it would be so gross?

This is a short non-fiction book, only 129-pages, and it’s divided into nine sections with plenty of NASA photographs: an introduction and conclusion, as well as chapters on gravity; “What it’s like to fly” – the author’s own account of zero-g training; “Barfing on the Ceiling;” “Toilet Training for Grown Ups;” eating in space and the evolution of space food; “Life Without a Bath;” and a chapter about what it’s like to live with roommates in a very small tin can.

I think it’s demonstrative of exactly how interesting these daily things we take for granted here on Earth are once they're transplanted to space, and how they would capture readers’ interest if incorporated into a few middle grade sci-fi and space opera books, as well. (Hint, hint, all you MG sci-fi authors out there!)

Enjoy. 😉

Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?

Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting non-fiction book about the technology that was needed for astronauts to go to space. I think teens will love reading about how to shower, go to the bathroom, and eat in space.

I got this ARC from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

[Kayt O'Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children's edition of one of my favorite books ever (Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void), I was interested to see how that original, hilarious book would be adapted. Answer: decently, and with interest, but in a way that loses much of Roach's humor and all of her [hilarious] footnotes.

There is still humor inside, and I plan to gift this to my nibling and I think she'll enjoy it--it's written well, doesn't talk down to kids, and includes a streamlined selection of the topics from the original book, ones that flow into each other and will likely be a hit with kids (poop, pee, farts and not taking showers). And if it's not as hilarious as the original, well, kids won't know what they're missing, and the topics are interesting--where else will a kid learn about the process of designing ways to potty in space, or the problems with sneaking a sandwich into a spaceship? Taken by itself without comparison to the adult original, it's a good book and a great choice for kids.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Space travel is always a topic of interest for middle grade readers and with a resurgence in space flight with SpaceX and others plus the plethora of space centered series on the various streaming networks, this book will have readership. Especially when 1 or 2 kids read and then start sharing the info that Mary Roach presents in a matter of fact and often humorous way. For instance, in the chapter called “Toilet Training For Grownups,” vocabulary such as ‘fecal bag system,’ ‘defecation glove,’ and ‘escapee.’ And since the anti-gravity situation is also explained in the first chapter and re-emphasized in this one, readers will easily be able to picture the potential problem of having escapees! Other topics covered are astronaut training, food, life without a bath, and some of the difficulties of living in such close quarters. Photographs of actual equipment, foods, astronauts and more are on nearly every page and Roach includes quotes from those in the space program that she interviewed and her personal take on the challenges and excitement of adventures in space. PACKING FOR MARS FOR KIDS would make a great companion to books such as Jennifer Holm’s LION OF MARS, Stuart Gibbs’ MOON BASE ALPHA series and others.

Thanks for the arc, Mary Roach and Norton Young Readers.

[Destiny 4everbooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty informative and very funny book. However my only problem with this “kids” book is that one paragraph near the end mentions how an astronaut had suicidal thoughts….. I don’t think that should have been mentioned or described the way it was, in a kids book. Besides that one paragraph, like I said before it was pretty insightful and also hilarious from the way astronauts had to find and test different “bathroom procedures”, to the hazards that even crumbs from their food could cause.

I definitely walked away from this book with a lot more space/NASA fun facts than I thought I would!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this really interesting and enjoyable. Looks at some of the less glamorous aspects of space travel which was fascinating because it’s not widely talked about. The title is a little misleading since it’s all about what astronauts do now and have done, but I guess that’s important to the development of mars missions.

[Lois Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book was written for the 5th to 7th grade reader, several of my long-standing into adulthood questions were answered in this space travel guide. Roach is not shy about using anatomical terms and exploring bodily processes. This book is perfect for the curious-minded, budding scientist. Roach also uses the word "cattywampus" which just makes me happy.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had some of the flair of the adult books, but pulled out too much of the information. Still has the joy of asking questions and doing cool stuff -- she managed a ride on the free fall plane! And lots about space bathrooms. But it left lots of ghosts of the stuff she pulled out.

[Jessie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids and I really enjoyed this! It was non fiction, and packed with fun (and sometimes gross) facts but written in a really fun way. They've decided they won't be joining a trip to Mars anytime soon!

[Joni Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son loved this book! I mean there was a section about ‘barfing on the ceiling’ what boy wouldn’t love that? There was so much cool information all through the book with nifty pictures too!

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and accessible - a great introduction to some history and science of space travel. What does zero gravity do to your body? What about bathrooms (can be messy) or showers (spoiler - there aren't any) in space? Mary Roach is just fun to read.

[Sharon Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Roach is one of the wittiest and most engaging science writers I have read. This book is fun and interesting and now I know how much effort goes into designing a space toilet and how challenging it is to poop in space!

[kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what astronauts actually eat or how long it takes for them to acclimate to each other’s body odor? Wonder no more, this book goes into every gory detail at what life in space is like. Full of fascinating information and just a bit (okay, a lot) of irreverence, you will learn more about the mechanics (and dangers!) of vomiting in a space suit or what the early space capsules smelled like than you’ll ever want to know. This book does an excellent job of examining some of the mundane tasks that must still be completed in space, and the technical wizardry the engineers performed to make it happen. Peppered with humorous dialogue from the earliest astronauts about their bodily functions, this is a truly captivating book about the some of the less investigated nuances of space travel. A laugh out loud look at what it’s REALLY like in space!

Many thanks to W.W. Norton & Company and Net Galley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Diane Yliniemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, Mary Roach, has taken her adult book called Packing for Mars and rewritten it to be appropriate for kids. This is a non-fiction book that describes her research as she learns what it is like to be an astronaut. She focuses on the basics of life...like eating, going to the bathroom, keeping clean, and getting along with others. There is a lot of talk about bodily functions and grossness. It should really appeal to kids. "Are you getting the idea that life in space is kind of nasty?"...this quote from the book really sums up the majority of content. The last chapter truly addresses Mars. The other chapters cover the history of space travel and how scientists have made progress in making space missions more comfortable. After reading this book, you realize that space travel is truly difficult.

This book is a fast read and should be a great choice for a reluctant reader. It includes photographs and is 144 pages long. Great for grades 4-7.

This book comes out on April 5th. Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced egalley.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book is full of fun factoids about life in space, from food to toilets to showering.
.
This is a great intro for kids. I'm interested in reading the full version.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 1 out of 5]

Packing for Mars examines the past of space travel, complications scientists have had to overcome, with a humorous look to some of the more uncomfortable aspects. Mary Roach does have a witty way about her writing, but the design of the book was uninviting, with both new and old photos intermixed without much clarity and only a scant reference to Mars toward the final chapter. I don't think it would be particularly appealing to any of my kids and really felt formatting and graphical design brought down what could be seen as much more interesting text. The author, however, did seem to move a bit haphazardly from subject to subject, with the inclusion of personal experience, which felt like a curveball out of left-field. Overall, a disjointed and strange effort, from my perspective.

Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Washington Post calls Mary Roach America’s funniest science writer. I might add the word interesting to her description.
In Packing for Mars for Kids, she poses the questions children are curious about and let’s be honest we adults wonder these things too, This is a young reader's adaptation of her best-selling book, Packing for Mars.

We’ve all wondered…
What is it like to float weightlessly in the air?
What happens if you vomit in your helmet during a spacewalk?
How do astronauts go to the bathroom? This chapter is particularly gross, so don’t bring a snack.
Is it true that they don’t shower? And how does your skin adapt to no cleaning for weeks at a time?
Can farts really be deadly in space?

Mary Roach has the answers. This is a factual, funny, gross, enlightening and informative young readers adaptation of her best-selling Packing for Mars. This is a behind the scenes awe-inspiring realm of space travel and life without gravity. I wonder if the astronauts were pleased their most intimate secrets were revealed here? “Okay who left the turd floating in the capsule?!”

I bet you’ve eaten that freeze dried astronaut ice cream purchased from a science museum. The fact is the astronauts didn’t like it so the stuff only went up into space once.. There are no carbonated drinks in space because without gravity it’s really difficult to burp, and if you did manage to get one out, a spray of liquid came flying out with it. Embarrassing. So living in space in the beginning was pretty nasty.

The book is packed full of first-hand experiences laid out through thorough much research. This is an authoritative and appealing book that is perfectly pitched to inquiring middle grade readers.

Text is enhanced with 35 black and white photographs.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you #Netgalley for the electronic advance reader copy of Packing for Mars for Kids.

As a kid I remember reading Mary Roach's essays in the Reader's Digest. She was always funny. I've read other books of hers as an adult and found myself entertained not just with the information she presents, but with her curiosity and interest in even the most mundane details. She asks the questions that normally go unasked. For example, in this book she tells of interviewing astronaut Jim Lovell about skin oil and dandruff, and notes his bemused observation that her questions aren't typical space station fare. As a kid her questions and way of looking at the world reflected my own curiosity; as an adult, I'm still drawn in by her approach.

In a series of concise and entertaining chapters, Roach explores where the quotidian meets outer space. The one topic that she skipped that would have fit naturally alongside explorations of bathing, farting, eating, and using the restroom in space, would be menstruation. But otherwise, the narrative is bursting with interesting information about living in space and is visually punctuated with photographs. Beyond just simple hygiene and body functions, she even covers the mental stresses of being in space: the limited company and limited resources available. I really enjoyed the range of topics combined with the humorous and conversational approach.

Would recommend for those curious about how astronauts live their lives.

Note: there was no backmatter in the eARC, which I would hope would be included in the final edition of the book.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kids’ adaptation of Roach’s Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void, and like all of her nonfiction titles, the reader gets to learn and laugh at the same time. She took a tour of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and went on a parabolic testing flight. Her own experience is embroidered with facts about space travel, with an emphasis on the stuff that will engage most middle grade readers: pooping, farting, food, etc. And the reader comes to learn that these are important areas of study for space travel.

From the very first sentence, the reader is engaged: “To a rocket scientist, the human being is a problem.” The problems are how to manage bodily functions with no gravity and very little room. There’s an entire chapter on vomit (“Barfing on the Ceiling”), and quite a bit on managing pee and poop in a gravity-less environment. Readers will also learn about food, bathing and managing sweat on board. Roach describes scientists’ efforts over time, as they try to come up with ways to facilitate these activities, and kids who are interested in invention will see that that there’s a lot of trial and error involved. Includes an index and frequent black and white photos. At under 150 pages, this is also a great, quick read for middle graders who enjoy the less scientific aspects of space travel.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This informative young readers adaptation of Packing for Mars answers questions that young readers would likely want to know about space travel. Mary Roach tackles subjects like eating, personal hygiene, and weightlessness, all in a way that young readers will understand. The author does spend too much time on bathroom habits, though the information about the prototypes and research into the best ways to help astronauts is very interesting.

Packing for Mars for Kids had a lot of facts and tidbits, but I wish that the author had included more from astronauts themselves. I actually felt like the book just dropped off at the end and would have benefitted from a few more pages. Overall, children will probably like Packing for Mars for Kids, so I would recommend it to the target audience.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Readers Copy by NetGalley and the publisher, Norton Young Readers. The decision to read and review Packing for Mars for Kids was entirely my own.

[MookNana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've developed an even deeper appreciation for early astronauts after reading this. The practical challenges of space travel are myriad and very challenging to solve. I'm in awe of what those first volunteers endured because, frankly, it doesn't sound easy now, and that's after 50+ years of experience and improvements!

This would be an interesting enrichment book for middle school students. It doesn't really cover a critical science knowledge area, but it would be good reading practice for kids working on reading for comprehension and interest. The subject matter is quite gross, but the prose is very readable and the "ick" factor might actually be enough to get a reluctant reader interested. This would be a nice addition to school and community libraries.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Maggie Panning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago I listened to some of Mary Roach's books on audio and loved them. So, when I found Packing for Mars for Kids I was so excited, I knew my son would love it. I was right. The only problem he had with the book was that it wasn't about three times longer. What kid (or grownup) isn't curious about how astronauts go to bathroom in space or how do they groom themselves. We are naturally curious about the yucky and uncomfortable bits. Of course we all want to know about the scientific discoveries that are made, but we are human and we also want to know what it is like to be a human in space, what those regular day-to-day things are like (eating, sleeping and going to the bathroom). This book was fascinating, funny, and a bit gross. I think airborne dandruff flakes might be a good reason to be thankful that I never realized my childhood dream of becoming an astronaut.