In the Red

Name: In the Red
Brand: Harper Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Christopher Swiedler
ISBN: 9780062994585

Author: Christopher Swiedler

Narrator: Josh Hurley

Unabridged: 6 hr 52 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 03/24/2020

Categories: Children's Fiction, Action & Adventure Stories, Science Fiction Stories

Synopsis

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.

About Christopher Swiedler

Christopher Swiedler is an author and software engineer who lives with his wife and three children in California, where they’re under constant threat from earthquakes, tsunamis, and the occasional Martian dust storm. His goal in life is to win the Newbery Honor (not the medal itself) because he believes being a runner-up builds good character. In the Red is his debut novel. You can visit him at https://christopherswiedler.com.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Darla on March 18, 2020

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......more

Goodreads review by Shaye on May 03, 2020

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. Th......more

Goodreads review by Nicole on March 30, 2020

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 righ......more

Goodreads review by Sharon on June 10, 2024

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 a......more

Goodreads review by Ben on May 17, 2021

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......more