Douglas E. Richards

Official Home Page

Author of the critically acclaimed

children’s science-fiction thrillers,

The Prometheus Project—Trapped

and The Prometheus Project—Captured,

books that have been enthusiastically

praised by kids, parents, and educators

alike.

Contributor of numerous science pieces

for National Geographic KIDS, an

award-winning magazine with over

five million readers per issue.

Sample Contributions to NG KIDS magazine

About The Author doug@san.rr.com

Link to Amazon School Visits

Trapped & Captured—Honors and Praise

Trapped has been added to the California Department of Education’s list of Recommended Literature for Math & Science that they call a “collection of outstanding science-and-mathematics-related literature for children.” Link

Trapped appears on Missouri State University’s list of Best New Books to Engage Students in Math and Science. Link

Trapped and Captured have both individually received highly favorable reviews from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (Science Books & Films) and the California Science Teachers Association (California Classroom Science). AAAS/CSTA Reviews

The prestigious website Science NetLinks elected to write a lesson plan for the Prometheus Project Books in 2009. Link to lesson plan

Note: Science NetLinks is part of a partnership between the Verizon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Geographic Society, the International Reading Association, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian, and the Literacy Network, among others.

Selected Praise for The Prometheus Project—Trapped:

. . . brings to mind the classic young reader’s novel “A Wrinkle in Time” . . . An adventure story for young and old alike “The Prometheus Project: Trapped” has made its way onto classroom reading lists.

W. Thomas Payne

Top Ten Best Selling Science Fiction Books of 2008 Link

This adventure will keep kids turning the pages. . . . perfect for middle grades.

Sandy Meagher, Teaching Pre K-8 Magazine Link

. . . A thriller that you won’t put down until you’ve reached the last page.

Kids’ Picks (review written by a panel of children)

Odyssey Magazine, Award-Winning Magazine For Children Ages 10-16 Link

. . . fun and suspenseful. Highly recommended.

Kirkus Link

Highly recommended for both boys and girls, 9 to 13. . . wonderful and unique . . .

Discovery Journey, Link

“World Class” Rating given to books considered “one of the best available.”

My class loved it. They were totally engaged. It’s a hard book to put down.

Jeff Montag, 5th Grade Teacher

As Quoted in the San Diego Union-Tribune Link

I highly recommend this book for all middle school libraries. If you have a middle schooler that is into science or sci-fi, buy this book. If you have a reluctant reader who has an interest in science or adventure stories, buy this book.

Kylee Pierce

Amateur de Livre Book Reviews Link

This science-fiction mystery series certainly keeps you turning the pages. It had me hooked by page two of the first book.

The Children’s Book Review

Named as one of the ALSC’s "Great Web Sites for Kids." Link

This is a story that kids 11-13 years old can relate to . . . nonstop action adventure . . . You really can’t put the book down for very long. A thrilling read . . . the author has done a good job of addressing many of the California science standards.

California Science Teachers Association, California Classroom Science Link

. . . would make a great read-aloud and would foster much talk among families . . .

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine (Magazine for Homeschool Families) Link

It is remarkable, and very gratifying to see nanotechnology and immunology linked, to find logic and word puzzles essential to advancement of the plot, and to find biology, chemistry, physics, and anthropology as features of every conversation.”

American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science Books & Films Link

I read the book in one sitting. I found it to be engaging and entertaining.

Gary S. Firestein, M.D., Division Chief, UCSD School of Medicine

As Quoted in the San Diego Union-Tribune Link

Trapped is an entertaining novel . . . that reads in a flash. To get out of the alien city, the children must use their knowledge of basic science. . . Richards does all of this in a non-threatening manner that will not scare off kids looking for entertainment. While Trapped provides plenty of that, it also hides plenty of learning.

Ricki Marking-Camuto

Bookloons Reviews Link

Trapped is a complete thrill ride. These kids use their brains and their creativity to get them into and out of the most amazing adventures. I enjoyed the story so much that I’ve already picked up a copy of the next book in the series.

Dr. Tami Brady

TCM Reviews Link

It is a valuable book. Quite original and easy to read. The gripping storyline will make young readers read this story in one sitting and want a sequel. I strongly recommend this book . . . It is full of action, fast paced, and exciting to the very end, and it is like watching a movie.

Liana Metal

The Midwest Book Review

Numerous teachers have even used “Trapped” as a read aloud and scientific discussion starter in their classrooms. I read this book with my class for the first time this year and my class loved it. This is one of those great books with many areas that can easily be integrated throughout the upper elementary science curriculum.

Vana Richards

Past President, Idaho Science Teachers Association

Idaho Science Teachers Association Newsletter

. . . the books are fun reads for upper elementary/middle school that weave far out places and events with real life science.

Liz Fulton

Arkansas Science Teachers Association Newsletter

The Prometheus Project is a suspenseful thriller that you will not want to put down. It is vividly written so that you can easily imagine Ryan and Regan and their amazing adventure.

This book has numerous connections with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for grades 6 through 8 science. In any middle school science classroom this book could be used to aid students in identifying and creating questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations, develop appropriate experimental procedures for given questions and student generated questions, analyze evidence to explain observations, make inferences and predictions, develop the relationship between evidence and explanation and use oral and written language to communicate findings and defend conclusions of scientific investigations. Ryan and Regan use these skills throughout the book when they encounter a problem.

In conclusion, The Prometheus Project could make a great addition to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study in middle grades science. As a fast-paced science fiction adventure about an underground city built by an advanced alien civilization would help to teach children about science and technology by appealing to their creative minds. I recommend this book to any middle school science teacher, as well as reluctant readers and students interested in science fiction thrillers.

The Science Reflector, Book Reviews

North Carolina Science Teachers Association Link

If teachers are looking for fiction books that help demonstrate scientific principles, they might want to add (Trapped and Captured) to their collections or consider recommending these books to their science students.

Mary Butel

The Kansas Association of Teachers of Science Newsletter

Note: The three quotes below are all taken from the Newsletter of the Iowa Science Teachers Section of the Iowa Academy of Science Link NOTE: Click on the link, then “May 2009” and then see pages 11 and12.

[both books] were fun and fast to read. There was science as well as science fiction and a good story.

Traci Maxted, Teacher

I did not want to stop reading. . . . a great book for any middle school student.

Sam (8^th Grade Student)

[the books] are written for middle schoolers but will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good adventure book.

[they are] page turners that will keep your attention. The second book, Captured, picks up where the first one ends and leaves the reader hoping for a third book.

Becky Johnson, Librarian, Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School

Selected Praise for The Prometheus Project—Captured:

A page turner that kids — and their parents — will love reading . . . thrilling adventure.

Catherine Hughes, Sr. Editor, National Geographic KIDS magazine

I would give this book three-thumbs-up, but I only have two thumbs. This book has a fantastic storyline, and it is definitely worth the read.

Nicholas Webber, 7th grader, Joliet Middle School

Montana Science Teachers Association Newsletter

Link Note: Click on Link, then NewsJournals Spring 09 (page 18)

Fast paced adventure, mixed with quick thinking. Ryan and Regan are great fun, and the story is just a cool idea! Very well written.

TeensReadToo.com (5 stars) Link

Adventure, suspense and science make for a potent combination. Fast paced and full of action. At a time when Americans want more students to become interested in science, the books in this series will likely encourage their interest in a non-threatening way.

ForeWord Magazine Link

This is a thrilling adventure story, guaranteed to kick-start the imaginations of young readers.

Larry Cox

Tucson Citizen Link

This is a delightful tale of kids working together, much as you would find in the Lemony Snicket books. Readers will look forward to more stories about the Prometheus Project.

Joyce Rice

Curled Up With a Good Kids Book Link

The use of ideas like the survival value of pain and the basic principles of behavioral psychology make this book all the more interesting, and when combined with fast-paced writing, the actual science behind the fiction turn a potentially ordinary alien-invasion story into a griping tale that holds even an adult readers attention to the very end. Like the late Asimov, author Douglas Richards knows that compelling, valid scientific speculation makes for equally compelling reading, and I look forward to his next offering in the series.

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Science Books & Films Link

I was captivated by Captured. I found the second book in this great series as entertaining and action filled as the first book.

Dr. Tami Brady

TCM Reviews Link

With Captured, the author continues to tell a story that leaves the reader reaching for chapter after chapter with plenty of suspense and cliff hangers. This is a fun and adventurous story . . . . Yet, again, the author has done a good job of presenting a plot that addresses many of the CA science standards.

California Science Teachers Association, California Classroom Science Link

One cliffhanger after another, Richards drives the suspense forward in each chapter, capturing the reader into his imaginary world. . . . the fast paced action will have you glued to your seat. I would highly recommend this novel to all, young and old.

Lea Schizas

The Muse Book Review Link

Ryan and Regan use their prior knowledge of technology and information systems to inside Prometheus to identify scientific needs, human needs, or problems that are subject to technological solution, locate resources to obtain and test ideas each time they are faced with a new problem. They also apply of scientific principles to analyze the risks and benefits of the actions they take to solve the problem at hand.

In conclusion, The Prometheus Project: Captured, would make a great addition to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study in middle grades science. As a fast-paced science fiction thriller about an underground top-secret city built by an advanced alien civilization would help to teach children about science and technology by appealing to their imaginations. I recommend this book to any middle school science teacher, as well as reluctant readers and students interested in science fiction thrillers.

The Science Reflector, Book Reviews

North Carolina Science Teachers Association Link

About The Author (Back to Top)

To listen to an interview with the author on Book Bites for Kids Radio, please click here: Radio Interview

To read a piece written by the author entitled “Science Fiction That Stimulates Interest in Science Fact” go to:

Michigan Science Teachers Association Newsletter (short version) Link

PopularScience, UK website (long version) Link

To Read a piece written by the author entitled, “Writing Science for National Geographic Kids Magazine” go to the Kansas Association of Teachers of Science Newsletter Link Note: Click on Link, Download March, 09 Newsletter and see pages 34 and 35.

Below are excerpts from an online interview

Tell us about yourself first.

I was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I currently live in San Diego, California with my wife Kelly and two children, Ryan, 14, and Regan 12 (I named the main characters in my books Ryan and Regan after my children). I have a master’s degree in molecular biology, also known as genetic engineering, and an MBA, and I’ve been a biotechnology executive in California for many years. I am a frequent contributor of science pieces to National Geographic KIDS magazine.

Tell us about your books. What are they about?

The books follow the adventures of Ryan and Regan Resnick, the children of two accomplished scientists. In the first Prometheus Project book, Trapped, the children have just moved to the backwoods of Pennsylvania and are certain they will have the most boring summer of all time. But when they puzzle out secret passwords and overcome laser-beam alarm systems, barbed-wire fences and security guards, they learn that their parents are part of the Prometheus Project — a top-secret team investigating a hidden alien city. With their mother’s life is in jeopardy, they must face unimaginable dangers and fight against impossible odds to save her.

In the second book, Captured, the kids have been made members of the Prometheus Project because of the valuable contributions they made to the team during their first adventure. When the city is captured by a team of mercenaries and their ruthless leader, an alien with unknown capabilities and diabolical plans, the adult members of the Prometheus team are taken hostage, and the children become the team’s only hope. With the future of the world at stake, Ryan and Regan must do the impossible: outwit the brilliant alien and his well-trained force, free the prisoners, and thwart an unstoppable invasion.

I don’t think it is giving anything away to reveal that they come through with flying colors and save the day.

What inspired you to write these books?

I loved science fiction as a kid, and the fascinating science often contained in the best science fiction books eventually led me to pursue a career in science. As my kids became older, I was looking for a middle grade/young adult science fiction adventure series that could inspire them but I really couldn’t find one. So I decided to write my own.

So your goal was to stimulate children’s interest in science and technology?

Yes, but not as an end to itself. My primary goal was to write gripping novels with non-stop action that would propel readers headlong into them. The books are very fast paced and every chapter ends in a cliffhanger. I wanted the kids to be glued to the page and have great difficulty putting the books down.

This being said, I picked the setting of a vast alien city, full of advanced science and technology, because I knew it would be a fertile springboard to explore any number of scientific topics. But I made sure the science grew organically from the plot. In other words, I wanted the science to serve the plot and adventure, not the other way around. If the books didn’t have great appeal to kids, no matter how much factual science I put in, no one would ever read them.

What kind of feedback have you gotten on the books? Do you feel that you achieved your goals?

Yes, beyond my wildest dreams. When you write a book, you have no idea if people will love it or loathe it. This is especially true when writing for kids. But the feedback I have received from kids, parents and educators alike has really blown me away. I was really surprised to find that adults seem to enjoy the books a lot as well. The books have now been read in dozens of classrooms and a number of kids have told me they are among their all-time favorites. I can’t even describe how gratifying this has been. I was even invited to speak at an assembly at my son’s school, which was very cool.

Why is the team named The Prometheus Project?

Prometheus was a Titan of Greek mythology who stole fire from the Gods and gave it to mankind. And while fire is obviously HUGELY critical to human civilization, its misuse can be unbelievably dangerous (as someone who had to be evacuated recently as wildfires raged throughout San Diego a month or so ago, I can attest to this myself). The team named itself the Prometheus Project as a reminder to be extremely careful with the alien technology they were studying because, like fire, it could revolutionize civilization but could also destroy it utterly if misused.

Where are these books on sale?

Both books are available to readers at Amazon.com. They can also be ordered through Barnes&Noble and Borders bookstores. They are sold to libraries and bookstores through the distribution channels of Ingram and Baker & Taylor.

Has the Internet helped you in your writing career?

Immensely. I don’t know what I would do without it. I use it as a dictionary, for help with grammar questions, and as a treasure trove of information. The Internet is, without doubt, one of the greatest advances in human history. I speak about this when I’m at schools. I tell students that in my day, if I wanted to know the date of Einstein’s birth, I would have to go to a library, use the card catalog, find a book, and leaf through it until I found the date. Now we can get this information in 2 seconds online. Suppose I wanted to know 50 recipes that use broccoli. How long would this have taken me as a kid? The answer: forever. There would be no way to get this information, no matter what I did. Now I search for “broccoli recipes” online and in seconds I have lists of hundreds. The Internet truly is a miracle.

The computer is unbelievably important to a writer as well. When I was a kid using a typewriter, if you made one mistake you had to start over. You couldn’t decide that a paragraph would be better in a different place and then cut and paste it there. And my spelling is horrible, so without spellcheck I’d have to look up every other word. I can say with absolute certainty that I wouldn’t be a writer without the computer, and I suspect neither would many of today’s writers. I really admire writers who were able to put together a polished work with a pencil and paper or using a typewriter. These people really had talent.

Do you have any advice for new writers?

Yes. Keep at it and don’t get discouraged by rejection. Madeleine L'Engle passed away recently, and I was struck by stories that have come out about how A Wrinkle in Time was rejected by every major house before finally being published by a publisher L'Engle met through a contact at a tea party. He liked the book but warned her that it would have very limited appeal. Limited appeal, indeed! The initial Harry Potter manuscript was rejected by twelve publishers as well! I could go on forever with stories of famous works that were initially rejected by everyone, but you get the point.

On another note, I am always amazed that after I’ve read and improved my manuscript dozens of times, I can still find ways to improve it further. So I would also advise new authors to revise, revise, revise, improve, improve, improve until you feel sure you will vomit if you read even a single word of the manuscript ever again. By the time I submit a manuscript to a publisher, I honestly despise every word because I have read it so many times. As Michael Crichton once said,

“Books aren’t written — they’re rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it.”

What are you working on now?

I’m working on an adult thriller and another kid’s thriller not set in the Prometheus Project universe. I hope to write additional Prometheus Project books in the future as well.

Sample Contributions to NG KIDS Magazine (Back to Top)

School Visits (Back to Top)

Douglas is currently scheduling school visits. Please contact him at the e-mail address above for more information on his entertaining presentation, availability, and pricing.