Today, DNA Press announced THE PROMETHEUS PROJECT books, TRAPPED and CAPTURED -- science fiction thrillers for kids 9-13 -- have recently been praised in publications of six different state science teacher associations. The full text for most of these reviews/endorsements (and numerous others) can be found at website. The six include the Montana Science Teachers Association (MSTA) and similar associations in Idaho, Kansas, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Iowa.

These accolades add to those the books have already received from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the California Science Teachers Association. In addition, the first book in the series, THE PROMETHEUS PROJECT -- TRAPPED, is listed as Recommended Literature for Math & Science by the California Department of Education. TRAPPED has also been called, "perfect for middle grades" by Teaching Pre K-8 Magazine and "a thriller that you won't put down until you've reached the last page," by a kids' panel of reviewers for Odyssey Magazine. A seventh grader, quoted in the MSTA Newsletter, said of CAPTURED, "I would give this book three thumbs up, but I only have two thumbs."

"What is most gratifying to me is that kids seem to love the books," said Douglas E. Richards, a frequent contributor to National Geographic KIDS magazine and the author of TRAPPED and CAPTURED. "My goal was to write adventures that would captivate kids and keep them glued to the page. While I had hoped the novels would also stimulate interest in science, the level of praise and support these books have received from educators across the country has been beyond my wildest expectations."

Richards, who has a master's degree in molecular biology, added, "I've always believed the best science fiction is driven by accurate science that can fascinate, inspire, and instill in the reader a lifelong passion to learn more. While fantasy novels abound, there are very few science fiction adventures written for the middle grade set."

In May, the prestigious website, Science NetLinks, published a lesson plan for the books, a rare occurrence for works of fiction. 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.

"The fact that such a well respected group elected to write lesson plans for these works of fiction is truly an honor," said Richards.

THE PROMETHEUS PROJECT books are available through Barnes & Noble, Borders, Amazon.com, IPG, Ingram, Baker & Taylor, and dnapress.com.