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.

Really excellent non-fiction that's both entertaining and approachably educational! Very glad Mary Roach could make a young readers edition of Packing for Mars; it's a perfect fit for kids who love space.

“To Explore space is to keep the door open to the future.”

This is such a fun book for children interested in space exploration. Mary Roach has a way with making her books both fun and educational.

She includes engaging topics such as what it’s like to fly, where do you go to the bathroom, and how do you take a bath. She includes fun photos including one of fake poop used for testing by NASA.

I read the adult version of this book and loved it so much! Mary Roach did not disappoint with her version for children.

I cannot rave about this books enough! I love Mary Roach, so when I saw a kids book I just had to read it, and it did not disappoint! There are fantastic photos throughout and the kid of funny (and gross) questions kids like to ask about space. Roach uses these as a jumping off point to delve deeper into the science, and it’s just brilliant!

Somehow I hadn't read any Mary Roach books before this, but I loved Packing for Mars for Kids! Roach goes over the nitty gritty of space travel, including some pretty weird stuff! I don't read a lot of science books, but found this so interesting. Especially considering the dangers of space and how the lack of gravity changes everything. I loved the weird and gross space facts and found myself literally laughing out loud about the horrible possibilities of becoming sick in a space suit. I tried reading this with my just turned 7 year old and though it kept his interest for a little while, the information seemed a little bit beyond his comprehension. I would recommend this book for maybe 9-12 year olds, especially if they're interested in space travel. It's such an entertaining read and great for reading together.

Thank you W.W. Norton / Norton Young Readers and NetGalley for providing this ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.

This very readable book about space travel highlights the more unsavory aspects like going to the bathroom, vomiting, doing without a shower, unappealing food and so on that astronauts contend with. This may sound unappealing, but these chapters will appeal to young readers who frequently ask about these kinds of things. I confess I read the book straight through. The style is interesting and the facts were certainly new to me.

I first became acquainted with Mary Roach a number of years ago when she wrote for Readers Digest. Columns by her were always one of my favorite things in the magazine, and I was very disappointed when she no longer wrote them. Since then, I have read several books by her and enjoyed every one of them.

I appreciate that she wrote this book for children. It is a interesting account of what it is like to be an astronaut. From the beginning of space travel, with monkeys in the rockets instead of people, to the first astronauts that traveled to space, Roach does an excellent job of providing plenty of information to satisfy a child's curiosity.

This was too difficult for me to read & follow along as the ebook/ Kindle version, but I look forward to seeing a hard copy, as I think the concept would translate much better that way!

Such an interesting book! As an adult I learned a lot about how astronauts train and other aspects of space travel! Will definitely be purchasing for my library.

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.

I will admit a little bias in my review -- I love Mary Roach and all her books. She's a talented writer, providing in-depth research in a light-hearted, relatable context. Packing for Mars for Kids is all the more easily-digestible, with lots of great photographs and illustrations to keep things interesting.

Roach is able to address all the things we wanted to know without asking. A delightful and humorous fact filled resource for middle grades.

Both me and my 10-year-old enjoyed this book about space exploration! Mary Roach brings her well-known wit to this interesting subject matter in a way that is super engaging and informative.

I'm a huge fan of the adult Mary Roach books, and this is such a fun book for the younger set. It includes SO much information that children would have questions about. My son particularly loved the section about the evolution of how astronauts use the bathroom in space. We tend to think that it's such a glamorous job, but learning that early astronauts pooped on themselves all the time was eye opening! This is an approachable but not overly childish book of space travel fun! I'd highly recommend it!

It has been some time since I read the adult version of this book, so I came to it without many expectations. It is well written for children, full of interest and simple explanations. The quotes from astronauts and cosmonauts are especially interesting, as they are often not the normal public relations answers kids usually hear about space. As an adult, I would prefer a little less focus on bathroom functions, but this may be a draw for kids. Similarly, I was looking for more discussion at the conclusion about how and why space travel is still important, but the succinct conclusion is probably well suited to the intended young audience.

This was a great behind-the-scenes look at life in space. Readers of all ages will enjoy learning how scientists had to learn about some of the most basic bodily functions and the effects of zero gravity in order to replicate conditions in space for every possibility. Some may be grossed out by the descriptions of bodily functions, but I have a feeling elementary and middle school kids will get a kick out of some of the bathroom issues that astronauts had to deal with. Everything from exercise, how to eat, and how to manage motion sickness are major issues in space, and had to have lots of thought put into them.

I highly recommend this book for all ages.

Mary Roach's books for adults are fantastic, so I was delighted to read and recommend this kid-friendly version! Packing for Mars gives plenty of interesting fodder to students interested in astronauts and space exploration.

I always enjoy reading Mary Roach. She fun plus you get to learn freaky facts to impress your friends and foes. This book is no exception. Though the title states "for Kids", I'd say that this is more for a young teen. Much of what is covered wouldn't be considered polite dinner table talk, but hey, isn't that why we read such things?
My pre-pub edition was missing many of the photos but as with all of Mary's books, it was meticulously researched, including some by the author herself!
#NetGalley

This was such a well written, informative, engaging book. Mary Roach has such an approachable and fun writing style. This book was entertaining and informative for me and I am sure kids will love this book. The facts and history were laid out in a very approachable manner and the personal stories added depth to the narrative. It was great having photos included.

Very good book about space and space travel for kids of all ages.
Highly recommended.

my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC.