The Lion of Mars | Jennifer L. Holm | Science Fiction | 2021 | Science Fiction | Grades 3-7 | 4.0 Reading Level | 272 pages | 5 hours 45 minutes listening time
The story opens with a small group of adults and children who live in a small colony on Mars sent from the United States. You learn that the adults were selected to be the first to live on Mars. The children are orphans who have been delivered to the compound in order to have kids live on Mars. The main character is Bell who is an eleven-year-old boy who has never known life on earth. He is fascinated with earth animals and is always curious about life. One thing he wonders about is why they have been warned to never associate with the other colonies on Mars from other countries. What is wrong with meeting the people in the Chinese, Finnish, or French colonies? They always stay to themselves and it is a bit lonely.
Eventually, the children in the United States colony need help when all of the adults get sick and they find out that they cannot get help from Earth. They are forced to venture out and find help from the questionable colonies and they are not sure if it will be wise or even safe.
I enjoy books on the relational side of science fiction that concentrate more on people and daily life on a planet outside of earth. This book features the daily tasks, concerns, and living on Mars. Heartbreak and death are part of the plot. The importance of relationships is also highlighted.
I listened to an interview with the author about this book and she said she imagined starting a new colony on Mars to be like the pioneers of the past. They often were alone and had to rely on each other to survive. They would most often never return to their place of birth.
I read this book in one sitting and I hope there will be at least a sequel. I enjoyed it a lot!
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