The Worst-Case_Scenario: Ultimate Adventure Mars
Chronicle Books/Raincoast Books
age 5-8, 8-12, 13+
by Hena Khan and David Borgenicht with Robert Zubrin, illustrated by Yancey Labat
24 pages
Synopsis from Raincoast Books:
Your choices. Your story. Your survival. Join the youngest crew of astronauts ever to make the trip to Mars! Faced with fearsome dangers and difficult decisions, your choices will determine your fate on the Red Planet.
Will you achieve the mission and return home to Earth safely, successfully earning the title of the youngest astronaut ever to make it to Mars? Or will you be forced to turn back early? This thrilling adventure offers twenty-two possible endings, but only ONE leads to the ultimate success! With eye-catching comic book-style illustrations and information based on scientific facts related to Mars and space exploration, young readers will be over the moon with this entertaining addition to the Worst-Case Scenario series!
We’ve enjoyed a few of the Worst-Case-Scenario books, including Survive-O-Pedia. The Worst Case Scenario: Ultimate Adventure Mars offers a new twist, enabling you to control the decisions made throughout the story. Nothing like putting your worst-case-scenario skills to the test. My 7 and 9 year old enjoyed the premise of the story — kids helping colonize the planet Mars — and making the decisions as they were one of the junior astronauts. Some of the decisions were life threatening, like putting out a fire on the space station; other decisions were more everyday, like fixing robots or creating your own designs. It was great to see how my kids came to their decisions: my son being impetuous and going with the fun and dangeious moves versus my daughter who debated each decision carefully. The Worst Case Scenario: The Ultimate Adventure Mars kept my kids focused on the story though I had to keep pages hidden so they wouldn’t know too soon if their decision lead to the end of their adventure.
At the back of the book you’ll find your mission profile with diagrams, spec, and details you can use to help you make your mission decisions. My daughter (the decision debater) loved this aspect as it added to the feel that you were really on a mission. My son on the other hand just glanced at these pages. According to the book there are twenty-four possible endings but only one correct one. Many times we followed our decisions down one path, only to have to retrace our steps and change our decisions.
You can add The Worst Case Scenario: Ultimate Adventure Mars to your personal library by visiting your local book store or visiting Raincoast Books. Visit our Kid’s Books section for other great book recommendations. What are you reading with your kids?
I have to thank Crystal at Raincost Books for my review copy.