In the Red

by Christopher Swiedler

A harrowing, pulse-pounding race for survival that New York Times bestselling author D. J. MacHale says “will leave you breathless.” Michael Prasad knows he shouldn’t go out on the Mars surface alone. It’s dangerous. His parents have forbidden it. And the anxiety he feels almost every time he puts on a spacesuit makes it nearly impossible for him to leave the safety of the colony. But when his best friend, Lilith, suggests they sneak out one night, he can’t resist the chance to prove everyone—including himself—wrong. As the two ride along the Mars surface in a stolen rover, miles from the colony, a massive solar flare hits the planet, knocking out power, communication, and navigation systems, and the magnetic field that protects the planet from the sun’s deadly radiation. Stranded hours from home with an already limited supply of food, water, and air, Michael and Lilith must risk everything if they’re to get back to the colony alive.

Genres: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Adventure, Survival, Space, Fiction, Childrens

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2020

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a high stakes adventure story that takes place on Mars. I love the cover and the fact that Michael deals with anxiety while in the midst of his perilous circumstances. Lilith, though, is my favorite character. She understands how to break into Michael's panic attacks and is a true friend to him throughout their time on the surface. What bothered me -- and I have seen this comment from others--is that Michael makes some really brash decisions that put himself and others in danger. This is a fascinating read, though, for the science alone. The family and friend relationships are also well written. A really good debut novel that I hope to be recommending to kids in our summer program.

Thank you to HarperCollins and Edelweiss for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Prasad failed his space suit certification due to what appeared to be a panic attack. Now he’s on a secret mission to pass it once and for all, without his parent’s knowledge. However, when he sneaks into a new testing group, he quickly discovers that he’s in the “advanced” testing group. The instructor is quite impressed with his high level of STEM skills as he shows up the older kids in his group. This means he is now in a position to pass not only the basic level, but the advanced levels. What will his parents think of THAT?! Yet as the testing continues, he faces an almost disastrous outcome and is reminded, yet again, that he has anxiety. There’s nothing he can do about his panic attacks, and his parents are certain that it’s safer if he doesn’t leave the dome. In an attempt to help him feel better, his best friend, Lilith, sneaks him outside the dome for a fun night on their own. But what happens when there’s a shocking planetary accident that kills a number of adults and leaves Michel and Lilith on death’s doorstep? Filled with mathematics, science, and technology, this book and fast-paced storyline will keep readers on the edge of their seats. I deeply appreciated the parent relationship in this one. And there’s just a tinge of romance for coming-of-age tweens, but nothing heavy. There’s also quite a bit of anxiety discussion, which is so important for today’s adolescents who are constantly under pressure, both online and in-real-life. I’m not sure if this will be a stand-alone novel or if it’s the beginning of a new series, but I’ll be interested to see what Swiedler has up his sleeve, next!

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[Nicole M. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction

You know those awesome survival books where someone gets stuck on a mountain somewhere and barely makes it out alive? Well, this is that, but on MARS! If that doesn’t sound cool to you, you’re obviously not reading it right. Go back and try again.

Seriously, though, this book was fantastic! I loved every heart-stopping moment of action. Lately, I’ve been struggling to read, but I absolutely flew through this book. Not only does the adventure aspect of the book keep you on your toes, but Michael’s personal story is also incredibly compelling and makes you want to keep reading. Michael suffers from panic attacks, which have kept him from his dream of following in his father’s and brother’s footsteps in becoming a part of the Rescue Service, which protects the public from the many dangers of Mars. He feels like a failure because of his condition, like he’s let everyone in his life down. Panic attacks would be incredibly difficult in any circumstances, but on the surface of Mars they can be life-threatening. Michael’s personal journey to understand himself and how to handle his attacks kept me turning the pages just as much as the action did.

Reasons kids will love this book:

Mars! – Any kid who’s interested in space will absolutely love this!! The book is obviously well-researched (loved the author notes at the end of the book), and it gives a great sense of what it would actually be like to live on Mars.

Science – There’s tons of science and math packed into this book, and somehow Swiedler managed to incorporate it all without slowing the story down (or feeling like he’s throwing boring facts at us).

Anxiety/panic attacks – Kids who suffer from anxiety will appreciate Michael’s story of working past his condition (even if he can’t cure it). The book describes his feelings and physical symptoms in depth, which I really appreciated.

A touch of romance – There are hints of romance between Michael and Lilith, and I think Swiedler does a fantastic job balancing this. He gives just enough to give kids who love the idea of romance something to look forward to, but it’s not a huge aspect of the book (so kids who still aren’t interested at all won’t be put off).

A couple of trigger warnings:

Kids who are sensitive to reading about panic attacks might need to skip this if they are in danger of feeling triggered.

There is a death in the book that might be difficult for some kids to process.

In the Red is a high-octane survival story, full of daring and danger handled with sensitivity and smarts! I highly recommend it!!

***Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher via Edelweiss for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

CW: blood, description of injuries, death, medical content, panic disorder

A middle grade adventure with way, way higher stakes than I expected! Very informative and engaging. I would definitely recommend this to kids who love space and action movies. And bonus points for having a character with an anxiety disorder!

[Ben Gartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for "hard science fiction" in the middle grade bracket, and this beautifully fits the bill! Real science mixed with tense, page-turning action and adventure. And addresses anxiety and panic attacks, to boot!

I already recommended this to my space-loving 10yo. He's going to eat it up.

As someone else mentioned too, I wanted to add about the trigger warning: There is one particular scene with quite a bit of realistic blood and death. It wasn't over the top, though, and the aftermath was handled tastefully, in my opinion.

I will definitely be reading more by this author!

[LS Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was one chaotic event after another, with no real arching storyline or clear climax. The adult character who most interacted with the kids brought medication for committing suicide and eventually died by being impaled. Then when the female protagonist became unconscious, the story became multiple chapters of negative self-talk mixed with more crisises. I don’t think I will be recommending this book.

[Ilinca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book, but the ending was a little rushed.

[Peter Tillman]

Here's the author at Scalzi's:
"In the Red has its share of futuristic magic bits, like an artificial planetary magnetic field that protects colonists from solar radiation. But I’ve done my best to be accurate about chemistry and physics. The characters use real scientific principles (and a big helping of courage) to escape their predicaments. Michael and Lilith manage to send radio signals over the horizon, plot ballistic trajectories, and navigate on Mars during a dust storm that blocks out the sky. And in my personal favorite bit, a timely application of Boyle’s pressure-volume law is instrumental in helping them escape a rapidly-flooding underground tunnel.

“It’s definitely the hard kind,” I told the class.

The skepticism was palpable. An optimistic-future, hard-science fiction book for middle grade readers? Exactly, I wanted to say. But it’s not as if I’m inventing anything. A half-century ago, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke did all this and more. I’m just following in their footsteps."
https://whatever.scalzi.com/2020/03/2...

Not generally what I read, but WTH. If I remember, I'll ask the author for an e-ARC.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every second of this book. I'm a huge fan of survival stories and this well-researched fictional story of survival on Mars is fast-paced and character-driven. The POV character struggles with panic disorder and with the help of his best friend, learns more about what triggers his attacks, so this book digs deeper into more issues than physical survival. I loved the math and science woven throughout the story too; it never felt heavy-handed or out of place, but instead added richness to the plot. I didn't want to stop reading and then didn't want to finish and say goodbye. I will be seeking future books by this talented author. Bravo!

[Jason LaRue · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I want to be technical, I would rate it a 3.7 or 3.8. This is an amazing book until the very end where it basically just skipped 10 days. It should’ve showed Michael waking up and realizing he was not dead and neither was Lilith, but Lilith was unconscious still. But they skipped all that and instead they just went to when Lilith woke up. The ending could’ve been better, but overall this was a decent book.

[Rob Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this quick read. Reminded me of Heinlein's Farmer in the Sky as far as writing style and it's based on "kids in space" theme. This isn't billed as a YA novel, I don't think so anyway, but it reads like that, and I mean that in the best way. there are some really talented YA novelists who just present their craft in a straight-forward way.
Enjoyable read and recommended for light reading pleasure.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just happened to find In the Red by Christopher Swiedler at a thrift store and I'm so glad I decided to buy it. I don't read MG sci-fi all that often and this ended up being quite the pleasant surprise. It has a great sense of adventure and some high life or death stakes. I also appreciated it deals with issues with anxiety. I'll have to check out more from this author.

[Teo-(school hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is perfect if you are interested in the way our future will look like. I guess everyone wonders now, with all the technological progress, when are we going to travel to another planet. Christopher Swiedler imagined the way people will live on Mars and describes it with such accuracy and realism you start to believe you are really there with Michael and Lilith. Full of suspense and unexpected. This is now one of my favourite books. 🌟🚀😁

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 *
Science fiction gets a rough deal in middle grade and young adult fiction, so to see a book in that genre and one that features a BAME protagonist meant this was a 'must-grab' for me to review.
Michael -a genius tween - is determined to prove his father wrong about his 'condition' by constantly endangering himself on their Mars colony. Initially, the reader is left to guess at the 'condition' but it is revealed to be anxiety and panic attacks that cause Michael to hyper-ventilate, vomit, and then blackout - but only when wearing the suit that enables him to leave the safety of the dome they inhabit. Clearly, this causes issues as it means he is left behind and unable to visit his dad or become part of the much-lauded rescue squad. But dies it stop him from donning the suit and heading out? Of course not. And this is when the trouble starts. After a failed attempt at taking the test that will allow him outside, he heads out again - this time with best friend/crush Lillith - not accounting for the huge solar flare that disables Mars systems bring chaos to the planet and risking the lives of all on it.

The action scenes and 'sciency bits' in the novel are seriously good, ramping up the tension with each big event and the world-building outside of the colony (there's minimal for the inside world which is jarring) is atmospheric and intricate. Where 'In The Red' loses stars for me is the dialogue and characterisation. By the end of the story, despite the immense danger he puts himself and others in, there's no sense that Michael has gone on any sort of personal journey; there's just no arc other than he gets what he wants. I fully believe he'd do the same again given the chance. Lillith is around to simply act as Michael's counselor, to tell him he's an idiot or to drop hints that she has a crush on him. She really does little else. Provisional characters (of which there are only a few) are thinly imagined and given little description or personality outside of 'movie of the week' tropes (strict dad, cool - but detached older brother and his gang, almost invisible mum) and the 'third wheel of the story, the 'gruff - but with a heart' instructor Randell is a huge missed opportunity.

The anxiety and panic attacks are handled well, and I can imagine many younger readers relating to Michael's struggles. Whether they'd find any sympathy for him though...that's another matter entirely.

Thanks to the publisher Harper Collins for the copy in return for an unbiased review

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: By Friday afternoon, after a week of careful thought, Michael Prasad had come up with just one theory for how he might make it to Monday morning without getting grounded for the rest of his life.

Premise/plot: In the Red is a middle grade science fiction novel set on Mars. Michael, the hero, has been forbidden to try (again) for his basic certification--being certified to go out on the surface of Mars in an environmental suit. Most pass by the age of ten--he's twelve. But he's experienced panic attacks in the past on test day--that were not pretty. Michael feels certain he's a big disappointment to his dad. If he can just get over his panic attacks then he could visit his father at work on the station. So many things he could do...if only his body didn't betray him.

Lilith, Michael's best, best, best friend, is so supportive of him. For better or worse--after another failed attempt--she suggests the two of them SNEAK out and go to the surface. What could go wrong????

If nothing went wrong, In the Red would be a short story that few would find super-compelling. Instead it is action packed and filled with danger. Action packed yet still character driven. Despite the jacket copy telling readers a LOT of what to expect, I recommend reading it knowing as little as possible.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED this one. If you like survivor stories, science fiction, coming of age, characters with depth that are relatable, adventure, action...this one has it all. It's so well paced too. I loved the narrator, Michael. I loved his relationships with his best friend, Lilith, and with his brother. (Though we see very little of Peter.)

It is premise-driven, action-driven, and character-driven. It's hard to be all three--to excel at all three. It is easy to *try* not so easy to succeed. This is an excellent book.

Quotes:

"Well, whatever you do, don't give up, okay?" Peter said. "Don't let anyone convince you that you're some kind of freak."
"I am a freak," Michael mumbled.
"No," Peter said firmly. "You're not. I don't care how many panic attacks you have."
"Mom and Dad don't see it that way."
"Mom and Dad just want to protect you, because that's their job," Peter said. "But part of growing up is deciding when you don't need protection anymore."

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael wants to prove to himself and his family that his "condition" will not keep him from doing fun things in the field on Mars. After his first plan backfires, his best friend Lilith decides that what he needs is a little night time sneaky trip outside the dome. Michael goes along with the plan, but while they are out something goes catastrophically wrong and soon the two tweens find themselves in a struggle to survive and save others.

Move over Mark Watney, let some tweens show you how survival on Mars is done. Lilith is a spunky girl and very supportive friend. Michael has anxiety issues and part of the book is figuring out why. It is also watching him succeed despite his anxiety, and you sure are pulling for him. Lilith is so good at helping him and not treating him like he's weird or anything. She's got her own issues that she hides quite well, but Michael finds a way to help her too. There's a teensy, itty bitty little budding romance there, but it's very cute and innocent and age appropriate. The survival stuff is quite smart. Michael is a math/physics genius, which he just takes for granted, and it sure comes in handy. Things do get quite serious a few times and the situations they face get intense, but it felt like just enough for middle graders to go "Whoa, that's crazy!" and not give them nightmares for life. I really like the friendship portrayed and the way the anxiety and perfectionism issues are handled. The science/math stuff was perfect for this nerdy reader. And I liked the parents' responses in the end. Highly recommended to those who like smart scifi adventures, good friendship stories, and survival stories in exotic locales.

Notes on content: One minor swear. No sexual content. There are numerous perilous situations. One results in a death (moderate gory details), and there are a couple of serious injuries (mild details). Anxiety issues are treated respectfully.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mars is an inherently dangerous place, particularly if you're outside the protective, artificial magnetic field that shields the colony from the sun's deadly radiation.

Enter Michael Prasad, who's 12 and feels like a huge disappointment to his dad because he's still not certified to go outside in a space suit, and he never will be. All because he suffers from panic attacks, seemingly randomly. They were first triggered in a space suit, and it means he'll never be allowed to get his safety certification.

Except Michael knows he can do this; he gets in on an advanced certification test, suits up, goes outside the protective field and does excellent, no sign of panic, until he realizes his oxygen and time are running out. Still, he manages to figure out how to navigate the test and Mars using the stars above and doing the math in his head (!right?!), and almost makes it back to the dome. Almost.

He won't wallow. Instead, he and best friend Lillith decide it's perfectly safe to take a rover and drive four hours across the Martian landscape to visit his dad, a researcher stationed with the colony's magnetic field. They have fun until...

Something goes drastically wrong, of course. A massive solar flare, even bigger than predicted, hits. The magnetic field collapses. Which is a major emergency for the colony, no doubt, but for Michael, Lillith and Michael's dad... it could be deadly. With precious little air, water and food, Michael has to find his dad, figure out what went wrong with the magnetic field, and get everyone back home to the colony ... while facing his panic.

I won't spoil how it ends; this is a powerful good read, one my son really liked. Enjoy!

Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?

Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/

[Katelyn Spedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC of this novel from Edelweiss/Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review*

This book was honestly so good. While reading it I kept having Artemis and Contagion vibes and I couldn’t put it down. It’s the perfect mix of suspense and adventure and is perfect for middle grade readers. There’s so much going on and it’s an interesting read but it also deals with some pretty serious things in a way that just fits. Michael has anxiety and is helped through it by his best friend but the way the attacks and panic are written is so real. As someone that suffers from it I know those feelings and the way the author describes them makes it really feel like he knows them too. There’s also Lilith. A girl living on Mars after growing up on Earth dealing with feeling abandoned by her father. She spent so long thinking he was going to come up and see her and had been doing everything in his power to do it only to find out that he had married and started a new family and never told her. It’s a crushing thing for a child to deal with and the emotions and anger Lilith feels are real. You feel for her and it’s not brushed off but a large part of her character.

Sure there are some aspects that might be a little scary for some middle grade readers (the hallucination and at one point there’s a mention of injecting themselves with something if they can’t get out of the sun after taking the jumpship) but it’s nothing that I would say should turn anyone off. In fact it fits with the story and is in no way a throwaway scene just to add a few pages. Nothing in this book felt forced and it flowed so well. I want there to be more books just so I can learn more about the life on Mars that the author has created. Honestly I loved this book and I can’t wait to recommend it to my nieces.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My name is Lilith, and I was only trying to help Michael get over his suit anxiety. I didn't expect us to go racing across the surface of Mars with a giant solar flare threatening the planet. I mean, Michael just wanted to show his dad that he's not helpless, but now we find ourselves stranded with no help in sight. No one even knows we left the city. Michael is the smartest kid I know, so I'm thankful that I'm stuck out here with him. However, being lost on Mars is very dangerous. We could run out of air, die from the cold, or slowly lose our lives from radiation poisoning. The solar flares make travel during the day impossible, and the icy glaciers make the land unpredictable. I hope Michael can find a way to save us, even if he can't figure out that I have a crush on him.

Having anxiety and panic attacks as major factors in the plot are pretty unusual in books. Michael's efforts to control his attacks create the conflict and tension that drive the story. Lilith only wants to help, but her suggestions unintentionally make things worse. Michael is oblivious to Lilith's feelings toward him, and it's fun to see how she teases him about normal middle grade emotions. The author uses science and math as foundations to explain life on Mars, how humans are able to survive, and how Michael can quickly come up with solutions to problems. You won't like this book if you don't like those two school subjects. I enjoy how the plot moves steadily and how the author constantly tosses in new twists to complicate matters. Just when the characters feel like they may be out of danger, a quake, radiation, or damaged materials reminds that death may be imminent. Overall, lovers of space travel and adventure should enjoy this book. I recommend you give this nominee for a 2020 Cybils Award a shot.

[Shaun Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Red, by Christopher Swiedler, is a survival themed juvenile sci-fi novel that takes place on a future Mars. The book follows a boy named Michael and his friend Lilith as they decide to sneak out of the protection of their colony in order to explore the surface at night. When a massive solar flare knocks away Mars' remaining atmosphere, and all satellite communication, they become stranded near the southern research station where Michael's dad works.

Their situation is immediately grim because travelling during the day is certain death due to radiation poisoning and there are countless other ways the surface of Mars can kill you. Much of the book revolves around Michael and Lilith's journey across Mars in their efforts to get home in one piece. It's also worth mentioning that in the last 2 hours the book gets immensely dark. A lot darker than I was expecting a childrens book to be, but it does a really good job of masking what the true ending is. It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, it was great.

Overall, I loved this book too. Both Michael and Lilith were great characters and they went through a lot together. It was great seeing them change over the course of their journey. Neither of them are without their faults, and they make mistakes, but they learn from them and become better people. In the end I've decided to give the book a 5 out of 5, a common trend of late. For most of the story I was leaning towards a 4 out of 5 but the last 2 hours propelled it to a 5, it was excellent.

[Cicero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another rarity - I'm writing about a upper elementary / middle school novel. I read so many of them but when I come across one that fills a niche or stands out for it story, I just have to mention it.
In this case, here is a story that is a well written Science Fiction, which can be a rarity for older kids. It takes place on Mars, a Mars that is settled and working towards a future habitat for mankind. What makes this story stand out aren't the cool facts, situations, etc. that are derived from the setting. Rather it is a story that takes the setting for granted and the story focuses on the main character, Michael, living in the setting. Michael suffers from what some think is a reaction to being in a space suit on the surface of the planet. Turns out that it isn't. His near death like reaction is based on his reaction to having so many expectations that are placed on him. Of course, the expectations are of Michael's perception, not necessarily based on truth.
Some have likened the story to a modern day, space opera Hatchet by Paulsen. Yet this novel isn't about survival in the physical sense as much as it is surviving one's misplaced perceptions and physical reactions to mental stress. Yes, there are times when Michael has to survive the elements yet this story is about his growth and self-realization. A good read and one that I enjoyed. Plus, I do like anything that smacks of a future in space -

[Page Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really glad I came across this book in the new & recommended section of my local indie bookshop. In the Red is a smart, fast-paced, survival story set on a futuristic Mars. Michael has what is called "suit anxiety" and it's kept him from getting certified to leave the dome in a space suit, like all kids must by a certain age. His family treats him with kid gloves and refers to his anxiety as a condition, which Michael hates and is ashamed about. His best friend Lilith doesn't think he has suit anxiety at all, so she sets up a secret trip outside the dome one night to prove he can do it. Unfortunately, a solar flare knocks out the artificial magnetic field and leaves them stranded, far from safety.
The Good:
-I really felt like I was on Mars, and it wasn't romanticized.
-A lot of great math and science details about Mars were worked in.
-Michael and Lilith's friendship was really strong.
-Great pacing, lots of adventure, a great page-turner.

Wish Had Been Different:
-A little slow in the beginning, but once Michael and Lilith are stranded, the pace takes off at full speed.
-Michael is genius-level smart but he makes some epic bad/stupid choices that left me scratching my head.
-Michael's "condition" is mentioned a lot and felt a little too heavy handed at times. That being said, it's an important element to the story.

I'm definitely passing this book on to my 10-year-old and anyone, kid or adult, who likes sci-fi adventure!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one, in fact, it was my favorite book I read in the month of May. Michael Prasad is one of the only kids in his colony that failed his basic Mars surface test--the ones all the little kids seem to pass with ease. When his term came, he had a panic attack. While his parents reassure him that suit anxiety is just something people have, Michael refuses to accept that. He dreams of going far from his colony to the station where his Dad works. Michael is a math genius and wants to use it to do awesome on-the-surface type of things.

So when his BFF encourages him to drive a lunar spacecraft to visit his dad, he decides to go for it...and then a solar flare knocks everything out.

Michael and Lilith are probably going to die but he's going to do what he can to ensure that doesn't happen. But they are running out of time...

Great STEM connections, great exploration of mental health, an absolute page turner. No sex/profanity/violence stuff to be concerned about for parents although there is one death in here so be prepared for that.

I am very impressed with this author and can't wait to read another book by him!

[Beatrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

WOW!
WARNING: This book starts out as billed. A fun hard sci-fi book with a smart MC, but it does get dark for the lower end of its intended age group! The 8yr old I read this was was very disturbed by some of the later events in the book. Your mileage may of course vary, but do be aware that this isn't pure fluffy everything turns out hunky-dory middle-grade sci-fi!
Spoilers below:

The kids get into some very serious spots in this book. An adult with them dies. They use the metal chunk that killed him sticking out of his chest as a shovel to bury his body. Later the main character hallucinates the dead character with blood dripping down his face etc as he is slowly dying of CO2 poisoning. The point is, this book gets very intense, and younger readers should be aware before picking up this book.
That said, I enjoyed it as an adult, and I don't think the 8yr old would take back reading it even though the last 5th of the book was very upsetting for him.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a huge science fiction fan and I thought this middle grade novel has a lot going for it. It is on the shorter side, which for sci fi, is hard to find. The plot is fast and pretty action packed. Michael and Lilian (both 12) find themselves stranded in a part of Mars where no one knows where they are and the station they go to for help is damaged and dangerous. They have to find a way to survive against all odds. The main character, Michael, is really gifted academically but struggles with a panic disorder. I feel like a lot of students can relate to that feeling of panic. Lilian also has some issues with a father who has started a new family and she feels abandoned which is relatable as well. There is one mild swear (hell), some death and near death situations, high levels of danger, and some discussion of first crushes and feelings with a kiss on the cheek. 6th grade and up.

[Breanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Red kept both my child and me on the edge of our seats, eagerly turning pages and always wanting more. It’s a thrilling adventure filled with friendship, bravery, and heart. The story thoughtfully weaves in heavier themes—such as divorce, loss, and mental health—in a way that feels natural, respectful, and completely appropriate for readers ages 9–12.
My child got a laugh when spotting a few mildly “naughty” words like damn it and crap in print—used sparingly and in a way that felt authentic rather than shocking. Who would have thought a story about being lost in space could deliver so many firsts for both of us?

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun survival book. A little like the Martian but for children. While Michael and Lilith show poor judgement they prove resourceful and manage to survive on Mars after a solar flare knocks out communication and navigation. A good portion of the book is Michael dealing with panic attacks. While this was not a plot twist I was expecting it was interesting to see how Michael grew and changed as the adventure progressed. While the ending was slightly contrived with Lilith and her father, I really enjoyed this book.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very exciting science fiction story about Michael, who suffers from panic attacks. Michael and his family live on Mars and one day, there's a terrible accident and the whole colony appears to be compromised. Michael has been outside the colony with his best friend, Lilith and the two are left to figure out how to reunite with the rest of the colonists. This is a fast paced read with a lot of science. It's pretty interesting idea that people would be living successfully on Mars AND interplanetary travel would be common. The piece about dealing with Michael's panic attacks is nice, but for a really smart kid, Michael seems to take a lot of crazy risks.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sci-fi meets survival meets... panic attacks? Michael is determined to overcome his suit (as in spacesuit) anxiety and pass the suit exam so he will be allowed out on the surface of Mars. Later that night, he and his friend Lilith decide to sneak outside on the very night the solar flares cause problems on the planet. Will they be able to get back home before their air filters are depleted? Will Michael overcome his anxiety? A page-turner you won't be able to put down!