The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 0593121813
Pages: 272
Genres: Adventure, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Bell has spent his entire life on Mars. With the other members of the Earth settlement, life on Mars is as normal as life on Mars can be. But Bell wonders things—why doesn’t the US settlement have any contact with the other settlements? Why do they always have to be alone? When a virus breaks out, and the adults get sick, it becomes clear the kids may have to rely on the other settlements for help. When they find that the other settlements are far less isolated from each other than they are, the kids begin to question everything and hope to be able to find a way to connect with the other people living on Mars.

This book was written before the Covid-19 pandemic, but the parallels are impossible to ignore. It may cause some anxiety with kids who are already stressed about the pandemic. That aside, the book is well written and provides an interesting perspective of how life on Mars could be possible. Bell and the other kids have wit, humor, and relatable personalities. The overall themes of the book are community, trust, friendship, and believing in the possibility of something better. This book will likely be popular because it was written by Holm. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME