Protecting Life: The Martian Challenge
EXPLORE! Life on Mars

Protecting Life: The Martian Challenge

Suggested Books

Alien Lifesearch
David Jefferis, Crabtree, 1999, ISBN 0-7787-0049-6
This book presents the idea of life on other worlds showing evidence such as a meteorite that some scientists believe contains fossils of past life on Mars. It also includes sections on the origins of life, a look throughout the universe, and designing an alien. For children ages 8–11.

Are We Alone?  Scientists Search for Life in Space
Gloria Skurzynski, National Geographic Children’s Books, 2004, ISBN 079226567X
Humans have always been fascinated with extraterrestrial life. Scientists look for it using telescopes, space missions, and planet explorations. They study extremophiles, organisms that live in extreme environments on Earth, in the hopes that they will lead us to a better understanding of how life may exist in space. For children ages 10 and up.

Astrobiologist (Weird Careers in Science)
Mary Firestone, Chelsea House Publishing, 2006, ISBN 0791089711
See how scientists from many different fields are all working to determine if there may be life beyond Earth. For children ages 10 and up.

Is There Life in Outer Space?
Isaac Asimov and Richard Hantula, Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2005, ISBN 0836839501
This book transports young astronomers into a realm of speculation, hypothesis, and conjecture about the possibility of life in outer space. For children ages 8 and up.

Life in Outer Space
Kim McDonald, Raintree, 2001, ISBN 0-7398-2223-3
Topics covered include what is astrobiology, life’s raw materials, extreme biology, and searching for ET. Good images are included. Great book for children ages 7–12.

Life in Space
Helen Orme, Ransom Publishing, 2009, ISBN 184167690X
Could there be life on other planets? If so, where will we find it? Mars? What do you need for life? How did life start? For children ages 10 and up.

Life on the Edge
Cherie Winner, Lerner Publications, 2005, ISBN 0822524996
This book explores extreme locations and uncovers some of the most fascinating creatures in the world. For children ages 9 and up.

Life on Other Planets
Rhonda Donald, Children’s Press, 2004. ISBN 0531163741
A comprehensive look at the question of whether there is life on other planets, from the imaginative visions of fantasy novels and science fiction movies to the facts revealed by today’s cutting-edge technology. For children ages 9–14.

Mars
Elaine Landau, Scholastic, Children’s Press, 2008, ISBN 0531125602
Is there life on Mars? Nobody has ever found life on Mars, but some scientists think it’s possible that there is — or once was — life on the Red Planet. For children ages 10–13.

Microscopic Life (Kingfisher Knowledge)
Walker Richard, Doherty Peter, Kingfisher, 2004, ISBN 0753457784
The author opens the doors to the microscopic world. Discover the life that is all around us — and we aren’t even aware of it! This book is appropriate for children ages 9–12.

The Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Don Nardo, Lucent Books, 2006, ISBN 1590188322
This fascinating volume explores the scientific probabilities of extraterrestrial life and current scientific efforts to find it. For children ages 12 and up.

Note:  Please see the module Resources List for more book suggestions.