THE INTERPLANETARY EXPEDITION OF MARS PATEL

Space-obsessed preteen Mars Patel heads to Mars in this companion novel to Season 2 of the eponymous hit children’s podcast.

Author Chari picks up where she left off in The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel (2020), as Mars and a diverse group of fellow middle schoolers train for the book’s titular expedition under the guidance of billionaire Oliver Pruitt, who is financing the trip. Mars gets particularly close to innovative Julia, who is hiding a secret. But as Mars prepares for his journey, he also has something he feels he can’t tell anyone about: On top of the fact that his friend Aurora is still missing, he keeps getting mysterious anonymous messages warning that he is in danger. Meanwhile, Mars’ mother, Saira, faces troubles of her own in the form of a threatening man with dark-rimmed glasses, something she navigates while intensely missing her son. On the occasions the two do get to speak, Saira’s dialogue includes some Hindi—easily understandable in context and adding texture. This action-packed book can feel crowded at times, as readers alternate between the perspectives of multiple characters, but they will be drawn in as Mars has to make some tough choices while also learning the shocking truth behind why he was selected for this mission in the first place.

Fast-paced and interesting if a bit overstuffed.