About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle or high schooler is looking for a classic adventure that balances high-stakes action with questions about honor and belonging. This foundational work of science fantasy follows John Carter, a Civil War veteran who is mysteriously transported to Mars (Barsoom). On this dying planet, he must navigate a complex society of four-armed green warriors and humanoid red Martians. The story explores themes of bravery, cross-cultural friendship, and the pursuit of justice in a harsh environment. While it is a thrilling page-turner, parents should be aware of the 1912 pulp style, which includes frequent combat and a chivalric, though dated, romance. It is an excellent choice for building vocabulary and discussing the evolution of the science fiction genre.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The book contains frequent, sometimes graphic descriptions of gladiatorial combat and warfare. The Tharks are depicted as a society that values cruelty and lacks emotional warmth, which leads to scenes of harsh treatment toward animals and captives. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the author’s 1912 perspective on "civilization" versus "savagery" and how that influences the way the hero views and judges the different alien cultures. Parents may also want to discuss the presence of caste-based prejudice and violence between the planet's factions.
Ideal Reader
An 11 to 14-year-old who loves 'superhero' origins or world-building and is ready to tackle slightly more archaic, formal prose.
Parent Prep
It is helpful to explain that this Mars was based on the (now disproven) 19th-century theory that canals existed on the planet's surface. A child may ask why the hero fought for the Confederacy.
Age Experience
Younger readers will focus on the 'superpowers' and alien battles. Older readers will notice the political hierarchies and the tropes that influenced Star Wars and Avatar.
What Makes It Special
This is the 'Grandfather of Space Operas.' It establishes the template for the planetary romance subgenre.
Read plot summary
John Carter, a Virginian soldier, hides in a cave to escape an attack and awakens on Mars. Due to the lower gravity, he possesses superhuman strength and leaping abilities. He is captured by the Tharks, a fierce race of green, six-limbed warriors. Through his prowess and emerging friendship with the chieftain Tars Tarkas, he rises in their society. When Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, is captured, Carter risks everything to rescue her and eventually lead an army to save her city, navigating the warring factions of the planet Barsoom.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
John Carter gains amazing abilities on Mars because of gravity. If you were transported to a different planet, what 'superpower' would you want to have based on that planet's environment?
2
The Tharks value strength and suppressing emotion. How does John Carter's friendship with Tars Tarkas change the way Tars sees his own culture?
3
Dejah Thoris is a scientist and a leader as well as a princess. In what ways does she show bravery that is different from John Carter's fighting style?
4
Mars is described as a 'dying planet' with limited water. How does this scarcity of resources drive the conflict between the different groups of Martians?
