Life on Mars

In Brown’s first middle-grade novel, 12-year-old Arcturus “Arty” Chambers, named for the star by his space-obsessed family, has big plans to find life on Mars. He’s built a communication device and has two best friends who monitor his progress. When Arty’s father lands a job in Las Vegas, it will mean moving to a place with so much light, there won’t be any way to see the stars. Additionally, a sinister-seeming man has moved in next door, and when Arty’s parents go house-hunting in Nevada, Arty ends up staying with him. Soon, Arty discovers that his crusty neighbor is actually a former astronaut, Cash Maddux, who also dedicated himself to finding life on Mars. The bond between the two becomes the heart of this cheerful story about family and growing up. While Cash’s impending death introduces an overly familiar plot thread, Brown (The Hate List) conveys Arty’s observations and growth with wit, insight, and emotional honesty, and the numerous factoids about the cosmos should entice budding astronomers and neophytes alike. Ages 8–12. Agent: Cori Deyoe, 3 Seas Literary Agency. (Aug.)