The Lion of Mars - by Jennifer L Holm

About the Book

"Bell is just like any other kid. He loves cats, cake, and asking questions. There's just one thing: He live on Mars. And life on Mars is very different. Four one, the food is all made of algae! (So is the toilet paper.) When a virus breaks out in the settlement and the grown-ups get sick, Bell and the other kids are suddenly on their own. It's up to Bell to brave the unknown--to save not only his family but all of Mars. Maybe Bell isn't just like any other kid after all..."--

Book Synopsis

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Life on Mars is pretty standard.... until a mysterious virus hits. Don't miss this timely and unputdownable novel from the bestselling author of The Fourteenth Goldfish.

Bell is just like any other kid. He loves cats, eats all kinds of cake, and is curious about everything. Oh, and he lives on another planet! Living on Mars comes with a ton of rules. Like don't go outside without a buddy. Always keep a glow stick in your pocket. And no contact with the kids in the other settlements. Ever. Then a virus breaks out among the grown-ups, and the children are the only ones who can help. Suddenly it's up to Bell - a regular kid in a very different world - to uncover the truth and save his family ... and possibly unite an entire planet.

Review Quotes

"Peppered with such intriguing scientific details as the pervasive nature of Mars dust, Holm's absorbing speculative novel is...rendered with a keen sense of place grounded by identifiable sociofamilial relationships." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The plot and setting are elegantly simple, yet the story proves completely engaging, driven by a charming cast of gentle characters and, more so, by Holm's lean, measured prose, which moves briskly and seems to strike a resonant note on every page." --Booklist, starred review

"A delightful space adventure." --Kirkus Reviews

"The Lion of Mars looks past the red dust to reveal how our communities shape us just as much as our environments." --Bookpage

"The well-wrought setting, including thoughtful depiction of lowish-tech Martian life, and a strong cast of well-developed characters make for an intriguing and compelling read." --The Horn Book

About the Author

JENNIFER L. HOLM is a New York Times bestselling author and three-time Newbery Honor recipient. She is a cocreator of the Babymouse series (an Eisner Award winner), the Squish series, and the Sunny graphic novels, which she collaborates on with her brother Matthew Holm. Visit her online at jenniferholm.com.