Last Day on Mars

Gr 4–8—The year is 2213. Earth has been destroyed, thanks to the sun turning into a supernova far sooner than anyone expected. The humans who are left in the solar system reside on Mars, which will soon meet the same fate as Earth. In order to survive, they plan to colonize a distant planet named Aaru-5. Thirteen-year-old Liam was born on Mars. His whole life, his scientist parents have worked long hours doing vital experiments for the Mars-to-Aaru-5 transition. On the day when the last starliner spaceship will leave for Aaru-5, almost all of the 100 million remaining Martian residents are already on board. Liam and his best friend Phoebe remain on the ground, waiting for their parents to finish work at their research facility. The two teens expect to spend the day idly awaiting their departure. Instead, they end up discovering an invisible research lab, appropriating some seriously advanced 4-D alien technology, saving their parents from a fiery explosion, flying through space with an artificially intelligent panda named JEFF, and racing to catch up with the last starliner so they can deliver important information that might be the key to saving humanity. (Oh, and also so they won't be left behind forever.) While complex at times, this series opener is action-packed and entertaining. With a focus on space and time travel, including well-researched and accurate science, the novel will be an easy sell for sci-fi enthusiasts.