NASA’s Perseverance rover landed on Mars in February 2021. Give your readers context for this momentous occasion with our Mars booklist!
Nonfiction
Explore Mars
From the Series Lightning Bolt Books® — Planet Explorer
- Interest Level: Grade 1 – Grade 3
- Reading Level: Grade 2
After Earth, Mars is the most explored planet in our solar system. Rovers travel across its surface to find out answers to scientists’ questions. What is Mars like? Did it ever have life? Learn all about this strange world next door! Access a downloadable 3D printer model from NASA via Page Plus QR codes.
Space Exploration Robots
From the Series Lightning Bolt Books® — Robotics
- Interest Level: Grade 1 – Grade 3
- Reading Level: Grade 2
Robots are out of this world! Space robots go beyond where people can explore. Readers will meet robots orbiting other planets, exploring their surfaces, and much more.
Discover Mars
From the Series Searchlight Books™ — Discover Planets
- Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 5
- Reading Level: Grade 3
Vivid photos and up-to-date information teach readers about Mars, including details on climate and geography, how scientists have explored the planet, and what they hope to find out about Mars in the future.
“A thought-provoking, welcoming entry point to a perennially popular topic.”—starred, Booklist
Mysteries of Mars
From the Series Searchlight Books™ — Space Mysteries
- Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 5
- Reading Level: Grade 3
Could there be life on Mars? Scientists are trying to answer this and many other questions about our next-door planetary neighbor. Introduce young readers to the fascinating scientific mysteries surrounding Mars.
Cutting-Edge Journey to Mars
From the Series Searchlight Books™ — New Frontiers of Space
- Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 5
- Reading Level: Grade 3
Take a voyage to the red planet! This book presents cutting-edge information about travelling to Mars and dives into related STEM topics. Sidebars and fascinating photos will thrill readers interested in Earth’s most famous planetary neighbor!
Discover Space Exploration
From the Series Searchlight Books™ — What’s Cool about Science?
- Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 5
- Reading Level: Grade 3
Every year, scientists send people and robots into our solar system to explore space. How are scientists preparing for journeys to Mars? What are robotic explorers and how do they study the incredible planets and moons at the outer reaches of our solar system? Learn more about these thrilling missions.
Breakthroughs in Mars Exploration
From the Series Space Exploration (Alternator Books®)
- Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 6
- Reading Level: Grade 4
Will astronauts one day travel all the way to Mars? Get informed about Mars research and plans for Mars exploration, and discover key aspects of the science and technology involved in solving the mysteries of the red planet.
Space Machines in Action (An Augmented Reality Experience)
From the Series Space in Action: Augmented Reality (Alternator Books®)
- Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 6
- Reading Level: Grade 4
Explore outer space through interactive augmented reality experiences!
Space is a dangerous place for humans. That’s where robots and rovers come in! These cutting-edge space machines can explore planets, moons, and comets that are off-limits to people. Learn about space machines and the jobs they do through this augmented reality reading experience.
Bios of People Who Made the Mars Missions Possible
Mars Science Lab Engineer Diana Trujillo
From the Series STEM Trailblazer Bios
- Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
- Reading Level: Grade 4
When Diana Trujillo was little, working for NASA was her greatest dream. She loved to gaze at the stars in the sky. She also enjoyed math and art. Then she learned that engineers use math and art in their work. So Trujillo decided to be a NASA engineer. Although she didn’t speak English, she was determined to live her dream.
Trujillo believed in herself enough to move from Colombia to the United States to learn English. After years of hard work, she earned a degree in aerospace engineering. She quickly got a job at NASA and worked on the Mars rover Curiosity. She became the lead engineer on her team. Today, Trujillo is a mentor to other women and immigrants. She is also a role model to young scientists. She believes everyone can find a connection between what they love and science.
Aerospace Engineer Aprille Ericsson
From the Series STEM Trailblazer Bios
- Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
- Reading Level: Grade 4
Have you ever built a cool science project? In middle school, Aprille Ericsson won second place in a science fair. She knew she wanted to keep creating amazing science projects. As an adult, she became an engineer and works at NASA building spacecraft.
Ericsson was one of the few girls in her middle school who loved math and science. Years later, she became the first woman to receive a PhD in mechanical engineering from Howard University. At NASA, she’s helped build spacecraft that can map the moon, monitor climate change, or even bring soil and rocks back from Mars. Learn how Ericsson’s passion for science has helped her pave the way for future engineers.
Fiction
To Mars!
From the Series Cloverleaf Books™ — Space Adventures
- Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 2
- Reading Level: Grade 1
Mars is an exciting place, with deserts, volcanoes, and winds that kick up giant dust storms! Avery’s imagination takes her on a journey to this amazing planet. Come along as she hikes up a rocky hill, plants a flag, and even spots water on the surface of Mars. Find out more about the place scientists call the Red Planet.
Click here to see the entire booklist on LernerBooks.com.