Ready to Go Book Display: A Universe of Stories (Space Fiction)

Welcome to our series, "Ready to Go! Book Display." Once a month we'll highlight the latest or greatest for every age group that you can promote within your library or order for your collection. This month we are featuring space fiction to tie into the CSLP 2019 theme: A Universe of Stories.

Recommendations for Adults:

Firefly: Big Damn Hero by James Lovegrove (Nov 2018)

The first original novel tying into the critically acclaimed and much-missed Firefly series from creator Joss Whedon. Also check out The Magnificent Nine (Mar 2019).

The Martian by Andy Weir (Feb 2014)

Stranded on Mars by a duststorm that compromised his space suit and forced his crew to leave him behind, astronaut Mark Watney struggles to survive in spite of minimal supplies and harsh environmental challenges that test his ingenuity in unique ways.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (Jan 1979)

Chronicles the off-beat and occasionally extraterrestrial journeys, notions, and acquaintances of galactic traveler Arthur Dent.

Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente (Apr 2018)

A band of human musicians, dancers, and roadies have been chosen to represent Earth on the greatest stage in the galaxy. And the fate of their species lies in their ability to rock.

Armada by Ernest Cline (Jul 2015)

Struggling to complete his final month of high school only to glimpse a UFO that exactly resembles an enemy ship from his favorite video game, Zack questions his sanity before becoming one of the millions of gamers tasked with protecting the Earth during an alien invasion.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green (Sep 2018)

The first to document the appearance of the Carls, giant robot-line statues popping up around the world, April May finds herself at the center of an intense international media spotlight that puts her relationships, identity and safety at risk.

Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson (Oct 2018)

Three travelers to the Moon, now fully colonized, in 2048 find that it is a very deadly place.

Recommendations for Teens:

Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnston (Mar 2019)

When Padme, "Queen Amidala" of Naboo, steps down from her position, she is asked by the newly-elected queen to become Naboo's representative in the Galactic Senate. Padme is unsure about taking on the new role, but cannot turn down a request to serve her people. Together with her most loyal handmaidens, Padme must figure out how to navigate the treacherous waters of politics and forge a new identity beyond the queen's shadow.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (Jan 2012)

As plague ravages the overcrowded Earth, observed by a ruthless lunar people, Cinder, a gifted mechanic and cyborg, becomes involved with handsome Prince Kai and must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect the world in this futuristic take on the Cinderella story.

Waste of Space by Gina Damico (Jul 2017)

Cram ten hormonal teens into a spaceship and blast off: that's the premise for the ill-conceived reality show Waste of Space. The kids who are cast know everything about drama - and nothing about the fact that the production is fake.

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman (Nov 2015)

The planet Kerenza is attacked, and Kady and Ezra find themselves on a space fleet fleeing the enemy, while their ship's artificial intelligence system and a deadly plague may be the end of them all.

The Disasters by M.K. England (Dec 2018)

Nax and a handful of other space Academy washouts are the only surviving pilots after the school is hijacked by terrorists, but in order to spread the truth about the attack, Nax and his fellow failures must execute a dangerous heist.

Mars One by Jonathan Maberry (Apr 2017)

A teenage boy leaves for Mars as a colonist with the Mars One space program and grapples with what he's leaving behind to do so.

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman (Dec 2013)

Two star-crossed lovers must fight for survival when they crash land on a seemingly uninhabited planet.

Doctor Who: 11 Doctors 11 Stories (Jan 2014)

Collects stories featuring each incarnation of the Doctor in all new adventures by such authors as Richelle Mead, Eoin Colfer, and Neil Gaiman. 

Recommendations for Children:

Papa Put a Man on the Moon by Kristy Dempsey and Sarah Green (May 2019)

Marthanne's whole community is excited about the moon landing, and Marthanne is especially proud because her father helped create the fabric for the astronauts' spacesuits.

Moon's First Friends by Susanna Leonard Hill and Elisa Paganelli (Jun 2019)

Commemorate the extraordinary Apollo 11 spaceflight mission with this heartwarming story of the Moon who just wants a friend.

Marty's Mission: An Apollo 11 Story by Judy Young and David Miles (Apr 2019)

Based on actual events, Marty finds himself playing a key role in helping bring the Apollo 11 craft safely back to earth.

A Kite for Moon by Jane Yolen, Heidi E. Stemple, and Matt Phelan (Apr 2019)

A heartfelt story about a young boy's fascination and unlikely friendship with the moon.

We're Not from Here by Geoff Rodkey (Mar 2019)

After a year on Mars, a young boy and his family migrate to the planet Choom, but the inhabitants of Choom, the Zhuri, who look like giant mosquitoes, don't really like humans and it's up to the boy and his family to change their minds if they hope to survive.

8 Little Planets by Chris Ferrie and Lizzy Doyle (Oct 2018)

To the tune of "Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" comes a new bedtime story that will get little ones excited about the solar system while learning new facts about each planet.

Space Case: A Moon Base Alpha Novel by Stuart Gibbs (Sep 2014)

Dashiell Gibson, who lives on Moon Base Alpha, has to solve a murder of one of the moon's most prominent doctors.

Space Dumplins by Craig Thompson (Aug 2015)

When Violet Marlocke's father goes missing she sets out with a group of misfit friends on a quest across space to find him.

Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood (May 2015)

In this outer space adaptation of the fairy tale in rhyme, Cinderella dreams of becoming a spaceship mechanic.

Laika: Astronaut Dog by Owen Davey (Oct 2013)

Laika, a stray dog found in Moscow, becomes the first animal to be launched into space.

The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield (Sep 2016)

Young Chris loves pretending he's a brave astronaut, exploring the universe. Only one problem - at night, he's afraid of the dark. Only when he watches the moon landing on TV does he realize how exciting the unknown can be. Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut Chris Hadfield.