If you enjoyed the sense of purpose and determination in Farmer in the Sky—as Bill and his family work tirelessly to build a new life on Ganymede—you’ll be captivated by Red Mars. Robinson’s novel follows a group of scientists and engineers with a clear, ambitious goal: to transform Mars into a new home for humanity. Watching them tackle technical, social, and personal challenges evokes the same pioneering spirit and goal-driven narrative you loved.

Just as Bill matures and adapts to the challenges of life on Ganymede, Shevek in The Dispossessed faces his own coming-of-age arc as he grows from a curious child into a revolutionary physicist. You’ll appreciate how Le Guin traces his personal development against the backdrop of two contrasting societies, much like Bill’s growth is set against the frontier world of Ganymede.

If the believable science and the detailed depiction of farming and survival on Ganymede drew you in, Mission of Gravity will delight you. Clement’s classic is renowned for its rigorous scientific accuracy, following Mesklin native Barlennan as he embarks on a perilous journey across a world with extreme gravity. The careful exploration of how real physics shapes both plot and characters will feel both familiar and thrilling.

If you relished the resourcefulness and hands-on survival tactics in Farmer in the Sky, you’ll find The Martian irresistible. Watching Mark Watney improvise and engineer his way to survival on Mars—much like Bill and his father adapt to farming under alien skies—offers a similarly satisfying blend of technical detail, perseverance, and ingenuity.

Did you appreciate the environmental challenges and the depiction of humanity adapting to a new world in Farmer in the Sky? A Door Into Ocean dives even deeper into ecological themes, following the all-female inhabitants of the ocean planet Shora as they harmonize their lives with a fragile ecosystem. The novel’s rich exploration of adaptation and stewardship will resonate with your love of Ganymede’s pioneering spirit.