Jennifer L. Holm is an American writer, three-time winner of the Newbery Honors and winner of the Eisner Award. Without any doubt, we can say that Jennifer Holm knows how to interest the reader in a science fiction novel with her mannered presentation. In her new novel The Lion of Mars, she touches on the relevant topic of Mars colonies.
There is a very unusual world of the colonies on another planet around the main character Bell. The reader sees the first generation of people, who have not seen the Earth... This is a kind and humanistic story with space artistic images, which has several very strong and cool plot twists.
Originality is the only word that describes the entire plot of this book. Here, even the scene of action is not what the reader is used to – everything takes place on another planet... on Mars. This is a truly beautiful story, not at all commonplace, which enthralls the reader to the last page with a smooth and simple rhythm. The protagonist Bell seems to be shy and clumsy, but instead he displays an extraordinary sensitivity, and it is mainly thanks to him that many mysteries on Mars will be disclosed. All residents are forced to follow the rules without objection. Adults accept their fate and are determined to respect whatever they are told, but children have a different opinion about this situation. They are curious by nature, unconscious and unpredictable; they break the rules. Sometimes children are guided without any malicious intent, and in the end, they unconsciously manage to be bolder than adults are. When Bell and his friends leave the colony, many things happen, everything flattens and their way of looking at things becomes completely different, not the same as always. Accordingly, they discover new secrets and observe everything what happens.
The novel teaches the reader to never stop learning and finding out something new. There are always many things, which we do not know, and to know something is very enjoyable. Exploring something is a very productive thing and a valuable contribution to anyone, who thinks they already know everything. The protagonist goes on a journey to seek answers to his questions and the truth that will save his family... and maybe the whole planet.
Bell is a wonderful little character, who shows the reader how it is important to be yourself. He teaches the reader to always use his head and follow his heart. If the reader really wants to be happy with his life, he must have completely trust this little protagonist.
The author of the book shows that adults have a lot to learn from children. This book is for those who want to learn something new and those who appreciate unusual stories in which children are absolute heroes. They deserve this attention.
