Generation Mars is hard science fiction, scaled for kids. Following sisters Cas and Ori, the series explores the nature of life for the first children born on Mars. In this introduction to the series, the sisters have their first experience with the surface of Mars, a milestone that turns out to be bigger than anyone expected. Future books will address fundamental issues of survival on Mars: air, shelter, water, food, etc. The series strives for scientific accuracy while telling the very human stories of children growing up in an environment unlike any that children have grown up in before.

From the back cover:

One day, in the near future, children will be born on Mars. The environment they grow up in will be very different from yours. And yet, they will be children, just like you. They will have dreams and worries, just like you. They will go to school; they will play; they will cry; they will laugh: in so many ways, just like you.

But their sky won’t be blue. They will never see an ocean. They will never go to an amusement park or go camping in a forest. They will never hear the sound of rain.

Instead, they will have blue sunsets. They might camp on the tallest volcano or in the deepest canyon in the solar system. They will ride in rovers and rockets. They will walk through rocky red landscapes that have changed little in billions of years. They will be part of the development of an entirely new branch of human existence.

First among these children of Mars is Cas. She and her sister, Ori, live underground as protection against the radiation that reaches the surface of Mars. They have never seen the surface of their planet.

Until now.

From the author:

I'll be honest with you: this book is a bit of an oddball. Scratching the Surface started as a picture book. This is evident in the light and nonintimidating plot. But it outgrew that form rather quickly, as I added point of view from other characters and technological concepts I wanted readers to experience.

My intent was to write something for early readers that was more advanced than they might typically encounter but still somewhat age appropriate. So much early reader text tends to be either silly or bland. I wanted to create something entirely different. In that, I'm pretty sure I've succeeded. What remains to be seen is whether this will appeal to these readers and their parents.

I hope it does. I have many ideas for these characters and look forward to continuing their story in books to come.

"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

THE SAINT BOOKSTORE

Southport, United Kingdom

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since June 14, 2006

Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.

Item	7 to 28 business days	7 to 28 business days
First item	£ 12.75	£ 14.75

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.

Payment methods

Store description

The Saint Bookstore has a range of over 1 million titles available.

Specialty

General

Seller's business information

SB ONLINE LTD

50 Devonshire Road
Southport, United Kingdom PR9 7BZ

Contact sellerView this seller's itemsView seller's storefront

Terms of sale

Please order through the Abebooks checkout. We only take orders through Abebooks - We don't take direct orders by email or phone.

Refunds or Returns: A full refund of the purchase price will be given if returned within 30 days in undamaged condition.

As a seller on abebooks we adhere to the terms explained at http://www.abebooks.co.uk/docs/HelpCentral/buyerIndex.shtml - if you require further assistance please email us at orders@thesaintbookstore.co.uk

Right of withdrawal

If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

Information regarding the right of withdrawal

Statutory right to withdraw

You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.

Effects of withdrawal

If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to THE SAINT BOOKSTORE, Southport, United Kingdom, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of withdrawal

The right of withdrawal does not apply to:

The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.

Shipping terms

Most orders usually ship within 1-3 business days, but some can take up to 7 days.

Scratching the Surface: Generation Mars, Prelude

Item description from seller

Bibliographic details

Synopsis

About the title

About the Author