Book One · A Big Dream Adventure

Jordan & LucyMission to Mars

Two sisters. One cardboard rocket. Zero chance of this going to plan.

Two sisters. One cardboard rocket. A bag of chips packed for the long trip. A heartfelt, hilarious chapter book about imagination, sisterhood, and reaching for the stars — even when your rocket leans a little to the left.

Ages 8–125 chapters · Illustrated
Jordan & Lucy: Mission to Mars book coverNew!

About the book

A story for every kid who has ever decided, again, what they want to be.

Yesterday Jordan wanted to be a professional soccer player. The day before that, she planned to open the world's largest cupcake shop. Today, she is going to be the first kid to walk on Mars — and her little sister Lucy is the only one who can keep the mission grounded.

Across five short, funny chapters, Jordan builds a rocket out of two losing-fight cardboard boxes, packs the big bag of chips, and learns that the best adventures are the ones you build with the people who love you.

"Reach for Mars. I'll always be your Mission Control."
— from the dedication
5
Chapters
8–12
Ages
Kid-approved
at our house

Inside you'll find…

  • 🚀 One slightly leaning cardboard rocket
  • 🧤 Exactly one silver glove (the other is under the couch)
  • 🍪 A button labeled Emergency Cookies
  • 👧🏽 Two sisters who would absolutely go to Mars for each other

A peek inside

Five short chapters. One very big dream.

  1. Chapter One: The Next Big Thing illustration
    01Chapter One

    The Next Big Thing

    Mission Commander Jordan reports for duty in silver rain boots, a bike helmet, and exactly one of Dad's old winter gloves.

  2. Chapter Two: Bumpy Landings! illustration
    02Chapter Two

    Bumpy Landings!

    The missing glove may have joined a new family under the couch. The mission must go on anyway.

  3. Chapter Three: Astronaut Training illustration
    03Chapter Three

    Astronaut Training

    Helmet. Cape. One silver glove. Big Dream One is repaired and launch is set for ten o'clock sharp.

  4. Chapter Four: The Wobble illustration
    04Chapter Four

    The Wobble

    Reinforced walls. A working door. Matching wings. There is only one problem — it leans.

  5. Chapter Five: Launch Night illustration
    05Chapter Five

    Launch Night

    The backyard has never looked so much like space. Mission Control is in his lawn chair. The stars are blinking on.

Excerpt · Chapter One

Jordan had decided what she wanted to be when she grew up.

Again.

This time, she was going to be an astronaut. Not just any astronaut, either. Jordan planned to be the first kid to walk on Mars.

She stood in the middle of the living room wearing silver rain boots, her bicycle helmet, and one of Dad's old winter gloves. The other glove had disappeared somewhere under the couch.

"Mission Commander Jordan reporting for duty!" she announced.

Lucy looked up from the tea party she had arranged on the rug. She wore a purple tutu, a plastic tiara, and a serious expression…

D.

About the author

Derrick E.B.

Derrick is a dad to a houseful of dreamers and the author of the Big Dream Adventures series. He believes every kid deserves someone who helps them build the rocket — and that the best adventures start with a cardboard box. He lives with his family, and a great deal of tape.

Book One — out now

Jordan & Lucy: Mission to Mars

Get it on Kindle

Book Two — Coming Soon

Jordan's next big dream takes the sisters to the soccer field — where the new kid next door has something to prove.

Big Dream Adventures continues.