Author: Katie Slivensky
Publication: HarperCollins (August 1, 2017)
Description: Ambassador, you are go for launch in T- minus 5…4…3…2…. Get ready to blast off with this high-action, high-stakes middle grade adventure that’s perfect for fans of Chris Grabenstein and Peter Lerangis!
Miranda Regent can’t believe she was just chosen as one
of six kids from around the world to train for the first ever mission to
Mars. But as soon as the official announcement is made, she begins
receiving anonymous threatening messages…and when the training base is
attacked, it looks like Miranda is the intended target. Now the entire
mission—and everyone’s lives—are at risk. And Miranda may be the only
one who can save them.
The Martian meets The Goonies in this out-of-this-world middle grade debut where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The Martian meets The Goonies in this out-of-this-world middle grade debut where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
My Thoughts: In this near future science fiction story, six kids from around the world are chosen to train for an up-coming mission to Mars. The kids and the space program to get them to Mars is an effect of a fragile peace that exists. Not everyone is happy with the peace or happy that Miranda has been chosen from the United States. Many people feel that she was chosen as a political gesture rather than for her talents.
When Miranda learns this, it causes her to doubt herself and he constant low ranking among the six trainees reinforces her doubts. Her most persistent rival is Anna. She and Anna tied in a previous science competition and Anna hasn't gotten over not being first. Miranda underestimates herself though. She is a talented engineer who has built her own supercomputer robot that she calls Ruby. She doesn't give up but decides that she will just work harder to learn what she doesn't already know.
When disaster strikes on a training mission, the kids have to all work together and use all their skills to get back to Earth and defeat the villain that engineered the disaster. Each of the kids had distinct personalities and talents which added to the excitement of this story.
The story is very realistic. The author's note talks about the author's research and the author's interest in spaceflight and space exploration.
Favorite Quote:
I stiffen. "Why are you telling me this?"I received this one for review from Edelweiss. You can buy your copy here.
"Because you have a right to know what the evidence is piling up to suggest," Lizzie replies. "You aren't a baby. You're thirteen, you're training to be an astronaut, and you're one of the smartest people on the planet."
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