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Shelter: Generation Mars, Book Two
Sisters Cas and Ori are among the first children born on Mars. The Generation Mars series follows their adventures as they grow up in an environment unlike any in which children have grown up before.
Each book in the series uses a fundamental element of survival as title and jumping off point: Air, Shelter, Water, Food.
In book two, Shelter, an expedition on the surface goes terribly wrong. As conditions go from uncomfortable to desperate, it falls to Cas and Ori to save the family. It's a struggle for survival in which they learn the full meaning of shelter.
Each book in the series uses a fundamental element of survival as title and jumping off point: Air, Shelter, Water, Food.
In book two, Shelter, an expedition on the surface goes terribly wrong. As conditions go from uncomfortable to desperate, it falls to Cas and Ori to save the family. It's a struggle for survival in which they learn the full meaning of shelter.
- GenresScience Fiction
240 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2022
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 7, 2022
In Shelter, Cas, Ori and their mom and dad go on an outing – to the surface of Mars. It’s a little bit like camping, except the “outside” can kill them if they set up something incorrectly. Even (especially) the toilet. They split into two pairs, Cas and her mom with the tent, Ori and her dad in a rover. Unfortunately, they’re only on the surface a short while before an unexpected solar flare and all its radiation heads their way. Each pair encounters obstacles that they must put their heads together to solve – and learn exactly what it takes to survive on Mars and how, by doing so, they’ve become truly Martian.
These books are a rarity in middle grade: science fiction based in science fact.
They’re also a rarity because they’re on a high-interest topic -- Mars colonization -- but they aren’t dumbed-down for the middle grade audience / readership. They require readers to have a rather high vocabulary level and complex concept comprehension. At the same time, they’re digestibly short (Scratching the Surface is 58 pages; Air is 122 pages; Shelter is a bit longer at 219 pages) for readers who don’t or won't read a 369-page tome (Andy Weir's The Martian).
All of which I think are pluses in favor of the series. I loved it and I’m hooked, waiting for the next to publish.
I loved the fact that it shows young kids not just coping but thriving and adapting as the children of Mars’ first colonists. Both come with about 10-ish pages of hard science about Mars, its gravity and atmosphere, the make up of the air we breathe and how to recreate it (grow plants, split water molecules via electrolysis, etc.), radiation from the sun, and more.
And the illustrations by Luis Peres are just stellar! There’s even several in color inside the pages. They really capture the grandeur of the Mars landscape as well as the nitty gritty life of a colony.
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/
These books are a rarity in middle grade: science fiction based in science fact.
They’re also a rarity because they’re on a high-interest topic -- Mars colonization -- but they aren’t dumbed-down for the middle grade audience / readership. They require readers to have a rather high vocabulary level and complex concept comprehension. At the same time, they’re digestibly short (Scratching the Surface is 58 pages; Air is 122 pages; Shelter is a bit longer at 219 pages) for readers who don’t or won't read a 369-page tome (Andy Weir's The Martian).
All of which I think are pluses in favor of the series. I loved it and I’m hooked, waiting for the next to publish.
I loved the fact that it shows young kids not just coping but thriving and adapting as the children of Mars’ first colonists. Both come with about 10-ish pages of hard science about Mars, its gravity and atmosphere, the make up of the air we breathe and how to recreate it (grow plants, split water molecules via electrolysis, etc.), radiation from the sun, and more.
And the illustrations by Luis Peres are just stellar! There’s even several in color inside the pages. They really capture the grandeur of the Mars landscape as well as the nitty gritty life of a colony.
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/
June 16, 2022
Another story with Cas and Ori and their adventures of living on Mars. This adventure, instead of just having the two sisters, also features their parents. The four of them are off on a trip across Mars in a two-part mission during which they will repair some equipment that has gone off-line and also explore a particular area for data collection. Unfortunately, while out on their trip, they get notice of an incoming solar particle event. Cutting their activities short, they begin heading back to base. It is on the trip back when things begin to go awry.
Similar to the other books in the series, the book has a story interspersed with science facts and lessons. As with the other books in the series, the combination is done well. The story is compelling, and the science lessons are presented in such a way as to be interesting.
In addition to the regular readers that will pick up this series, it would also be great for teachers to use in a school for a combination unit in Science and English classes. Those readers who have already read the other books in the series will also like this one. Those who have not already read the other books in the series should read those two before this one. However, if you really want to read this one immediately, the books bork well as stand-alone stories. There are some references to earlier events but not enough to prevent you from understanding this story.
I do hope the author continues writing stories in this series. I have really been enjoying the combination of story and science lessons on Mars. In addition, the characters of Cas and Ori are growing on me, and I want to get to know them as they continue to grow up on Mars. I also hope to get to know some of the other kids who are on Mars with them. So far they have been background characters, but as Cas and Ori get older, they should naturally star more in the stories.
Similar to the other books in the series, the book has a story interspersed with science facts and lessons. As with the other books in the series, the combination is done well. The story is compelling, and the science lessons are presented in such a way as to be interesting.
In addition to the regular readers that will pick up this series, it would also be great for teachers to use in a school for a combination unit in Science and English classes. Those readers who have already read the other books in the series will also like this one. Those who have not already read the other books in the series should read those two before this one. However, if you really want to read this one immediately, the books bork well as stand-alone stories. There are some references to earlier events but not enough to prevent you from understanding this story.
I do hope the author continues writing stories in this series. I have really been enjoying the combination of story and science lessons on Mars. In addition, the characters of Cas and Ori are growing on me, and I want to get to know them as they continue to grow up on Mars. I also hope to get to know some of the other kids who are on Mars with them. So far they have been background characters, but as Cas and Ori get older, they should naturally star more in the stories.
August 3, 2025
5 Stars! This series just keeps getting better and keeps expanding. It has even more scientific information and facts to learn about. As well as more high stakes and action. Definitely good for kids wanting to learn about Mars and science.
Quotes:
- “The sisters hugged their parents. Everybody said their I love you’s. And, as parents do everywhere and always have and always will, they waved goodbye to their kids and worried about what might happen.”
- “Need drives evolution, but evolution is slow. I think the parents of Mars would find it ethical to help their children—and future generations of Martians—exist more easily on their home-world. What do you think?”
Quotes:
- “The sisters hugged their parents. Everybody said their I love you’s. And, as parents do everywhere and always have and always will, they waved goodbye to their kids and worried about what might happen.”
- “Need drives evolution, but evolution is slow. I think the parents of Mars would find it ethical to help their children—and future generations of Martians—exist more easily on their home-world. What do you think?”
May 28, 2023
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Shelter: Generation Mars, Book Two
Author: Douglas D Meredith
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 4/5
Of the 15 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
12 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
14 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I liked that the book was set on Mars. I think it’s a very interesting planet. I thought this book was (a) exciting and (b) taught me stuff too. Good book.” Boy, aged 11
“I learnt so much about Mars reading this book: the atmosphere, temperature, geology. It was cool. I’m a bit of a nerd so possibly that’s why I liked it so much. The adventure is also good, and I liked Cas and Ori.” Boy, aged 12 – with a little help from his teacher
“My class loved this book. They thought the cover was enticing, the plot exciting, the setting amazing, and the science interesting. Books like this are a godsend for teachers. Fab for a school library.” Primary school teacher, aged 30
“I think the author should write more books and Cas and Ori and what they get up to on Mars.” Girl reader, aged 11
To Sum It Up:
‘A fun, exciting sci-fi adventure with a strong cast of likeable characters. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Shelter: Generation Mars, Book Two
Author: Douglas D Meredith
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 4/5
Of the 15 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
12 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
14 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I liked that the book was set on Mars. I think it’s a very interesting planet. I thought this book was (a) exciting and (b) taught me stuff too. Good book.” Boy, aged 11
“I learnt so much about Mars reading this book: the atmosphere, temperature, geology. It was cool. I’m a bit of a nerd so possibly that’s why I liked it so much. The adventure is also good, and I liked Cas and Ori.” Boy, aged 12 – with a little help from his teacher
“My class loved this book. They thought the cover was enticing, the plot exciting, the setting amazing, and the science interesting. Books like this are a godsend for teachers. Fab for a school library.” Primary school teacher, aged 30
“I think the author should write more books and Cas and Ori and what they get up to on Mars.” Girl reader, aged 11
To Sum It Up:
‘A fun, exciting sci-fi adventure with a strong cast of likeable characters. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
May 3, 2022
This is probably the first book I ever read that was simultaneously science fiction and a science book. The plot is very original and intriguing, two sisters who are the first children born on Mars and live there with their parents in a colony of 5000 people, but also at the same time so realistic that it made me wonder why anyone hasn't tried to colonize Mars yet. There are in-depth descriptions of Mars's atmosphere and geography, the sun and SPEs, the oxygen and CO2 cycle, the Mars rovers, and detailed descriptions of how all the equipment and technology are used to ensure comfortable living on Mars. I learned more about space and engineering concepts from this book than I probably did in science class in school. Furthermore, the story is heartfelt and suspenseful, with one crisis after another hitting the family when a routine mission goes wrong. I really appreciated the greater themes about the importance of community and perseverance, and it rings throughout with a powerful message about resilience and hope. This would make a great book for tweens and young science fiction fans between the ages of 8-12 who like their science fiction heavy on the science side.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews