Friday Fun Reads

I’m safe on Mars. Perseverance will get you anywhere. #CountdowntoMars

If you missed the news, NASA’s official tweet marks another leap into space exploration. The robotic rover, named Perseverance, landed on Mars last week. It’s mission: To study whether there has ever been life on Mars.

While scientists search for clues in the dry craters they think once held water, author Jennifer L Holm transports readers to future colonies established on Mars. Her book The Lion of Mars doesn’t contain strange aliens. Instead, it’s a story of an eleven-year-old boy transported to Mars as an infant. He’s only known life in the small underground settlement on Mars, shared by several adults and four other teens. Growing up on the frozen, hostile landscape of Mars, Bell has never seen a river, grass, a rainbow, or animals we earthlings take for granted. Bell zips up protective suits to venture outside, and meals are based on algae grown inside the settlement.

Even though life on Mars is vastly different, Bell faces universal challenges: How do you handle a friend who no longer wants you as a friend? How do you push through fear? When do you obey rules and when must you break them? How do you deal with death? To what extreme do you go to save a person’s life?

I’m not a fan of science fiction, but The Lion of Mars surprised me. It captured my attention and heart with its out-of-this-world story. It’s a fun read that will appeal to boys and most middle graders, especially those aspiring to blast off into outer space.

What’s your favorite science fiction book?

Happy Reading!

Gretchen Carlson greatchencarlsonwriter@gmail.com

Website: http://gretchen-carlson.com