If you like Holes by Louis Sachar or The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, you’re going to love The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm! This novel isn’t just a sci-fi adventure—it’s a story about friendship, trust, and what it means to belong. Holm’s unique take on life in space offers a fresh way to discuss teamwork, resilience, and human connection. All who missed daily interactions during the Covid-19 Pandemic can relate to the main character. This book is the perfect addition to your classroom library if you’re looking to spark engaging conversations about society, science, and exploration.
Fast Facts About the Book
Title: The Lion of Mars
Author: Jennifer L. Holm
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction / Science Fiction
Age Range: 8-12 years
Number of Pages: 251
Publication Year: 2021
Is this book part of a series? No
Themes: Friendship, Curiosity, Adventure, Trust, Family
Through the eyes of an eleven-year-old boy named Bell, readers explore life inside a U.S. space colony on Mars. The novel invites students to think deeply about what makes us human—even far from Earth. Bell’s journey of discovery uncovers secrets about the colony’s past and raises thought-provoking questions about trust, cooperation, and friendship. I recommend using this book with students in grades 4-7 to introduce lessons about teamwork, decision-making, and empathy in both personal and societal contexts. #classroombookreviews
Novel Overview
The Lion of Mars follows Bell, a young boy living on Mars in a U.S. colony with a small group of astronauts and their families. Bell has always accepted life in the colony as normal, though it can get lonely. But when the adults mysteriously fall ill, the kids are forced to step up, work together, and explore truths about their world they never knew. The story touches on the challenges of isolation, the importance of trust, and how humans thrive when they work together. The Lion of Mars explores not just science fiction, but also deeply relatable human experiences. #thelionofmars
Chasing Chapters: Plot Summary
Bell knows nothing about Earth—Mars is the only home he’s ever known. The rules in the colony are strict: No communication with other colonies, and follow the adults’ orders without question. Life in the colony is safe, but Bell longs to make connections and explore beyond the colony walls. Everything changes when the adults suddenly become sick, leaving the children to manage on their own. In their quest to find help, the kids discover the other colonies and learn the importance of working together. This journey teaches Bell valuable lessons about friendship, community, and trust. #marsexploration
Share The Lion of Mars comprehension questions and 1-sentence summaries of every chapter with your class.
Educational Value
The Lion of Mars provides meaningful opportunities for classroom discussions about teamwork, problem-solving, and societal structures. This book offers an age-appropriate look at trust, independence, and the complexities of relationships. Students can also explore the importance of curiosity and innovation in solving problems, making it a great fit for STEM lessons. Additionally, the novel opens doors for discussions about mental health, resilience, and the need for human connection—even in the most isolated environments.
Students will love Bell’s curiosity and his heartwarming relationships with others in the colony, which makes the story accessible while also thought-provoking. #STEMeducation #middlegradebooks
Classroom Activities to Try
Writing Prompt: Have students imagine what life might be like on another planet. What challenges would they face? How would they build friendships and solve problems?
Discussion Questions:
How does Bell’s perspective on trust change throughout the story?
Why do you think the colonies stopped communicating with one another?
What are some of the most important lessons Bell learns by the end of the novel?
Do you think life on Mars would be better or worse than life on Earth? Why?
Project Idea: Create a class chart comparing the different colonies from the book. What values or beliefs define each colony? How do they differ from one another? Students can use this as a springboard to discuss real-world cultures and communities.
Comparative Analysis: Challenge students to compare The Lion of Mars with other books about characters in isolated environments, such as The Wild Robot. Focus on themes of resilience, independence, and personal growth across these stories.
Extension Activities: Space Math and Hydroponics
Inspire students with a space-themed math challenge! Ask them to calculate how much food, water, and air a colony on Mars would need to survive for a month. Use real-world math by having them factor in variables such as the number of residents, the amount of space each resident would need, and transportation delays.
Add a fun role-playing element: One student acts as the “colony manager” while others play roles such as supply officers or engineers. They can present their math-based survival plan to the class, simulating how real astronauts might plan for life on Mars.
Incorporate more STEM ideas by teaching your class about hydroponics. This is a method of growing plants without soil, using water mixed with nutrients. Algae, the superheroes of the underwater world, provide oxygen and benefit the environment. To grow algae hydroponically, you’ll need a water tank, nutrient mix, light (natural or artificial), air bubbles, and algae spores. With the right setup, you can watch these tiny organisms thrive and learn about their environmental impact. If possible, build a hydroponics system in your school. Find more extension activities in my Lion of Mars Novel Study resource.
Page-Turning Puzzles: Novel Trivia
How closely have you read the text in Jennifer Holm's novel The Lion of Mars? Can you remember tiny details to answer the trivia questions below? #noveltrivia
How many days are in one year on Mars? (the days it takes for Mars to travel around the sun one time)
What is the most prized supply item on the settlement?
What is Phinneus’s favorite earth animal?
What countries settle on Mars in this story? (There are 5)
Sai is a nickname. What is his full first name?
Find the answers to these trivia questions inside this Lion of Mars Novel Study resource.
Hear about The Lion of Mars Novel Study from educators like you!
⭐️ “This resource is AMAZING! Differentiate in every way possible. I love the sample responses and my students love coloring the stickers to add to their collections.”
⭐️ “I love The Lion of Mars and these worksheets were the perfect companion to the book. I can’t wait to purchase another novel study from MB Creations!”
⭐️ “I am blown away by this amazing resource! It is SO COMPLETE! I didn’t have to add anything extra. I printed the workbooks and assessments and we had an amazing novel study.”
Use The Lion of Mars Novel Study in so many ways!
✅ Differentiate to meet the needs of all learners in your book club. Gifted students can complete projects about the novel as they read. Language learners can benefit from the character traits page with pictures and descriptions.
✅ Assign comprehension worksheets to students for homework. Have them take notes and come prepared to discuss this chapter book in class.
✅ Invite students to read The Lion of Mars in small groups and complete these worksheets and discussion activities together.
Find answers to your questions about this The Lion of Mars Novel Study:
✋ What is The Lion of Mars?
This scientific fictional chapter book, written by Jennifer Holm, tells of settlers who live on Mars and work together to form a community. It is written for grades 3-7 with a Lexile level of 530L.
✋ What exactly is included?
Check out the preview! The detailed table of contents can help answer your questions about this book study.
✋ Why should I use this resource?
2-in-1 deal: This resource includes pages specific to the book, The Lion of Mars, as well as ALL the pages in my Novel Study for Any Book resource. Students will be able to write and discuss facts about the author, novel, plot, setting, characters, and theme. You can edit the projects and discussion pages on PowerPoint and assign all worksheets digitally if you choose. Students will have fun collecting stickers when they finish projects related to the book and you can grade all worksheets with the answer keys and sample responses! #novelstudyforanybook
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