The Mars Challenge

June 1, 2020
Grades 7-12 Nadia is determined to be the first woman to visit Mars. First, though, she's got to learn not only the ins and outs of the Red Planet but also the past, present, and future of space travel. Lucky for Nadia, she has a resource in Ellie, a pilot on the International Space Station. In this science-based, fact-laden graphic novel for teens, refreshingly featuring two brown-skinned women scientists, readers will travel on a conceptual journey along with Nadia and learn just how to get to Mars and back in one piece. Though it's text-heavy, this graphic novel is written in an accessible style, and the plentiful information is balanced out by richly colored, intricate illustrations. The bright, detailed panels include occasional diagrams and renderings of what the surface of Mars could look like, and the traditional panel layouts help ease readers' ways through the sometimes complex information. An approachable read for those interested in both Mars and spaceflight in general, not to mention a useful classroom resource.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)