One of classes I subbed for were listening to The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel. It is a scripted podcast for kids. And I have no idea what the difference between a scripted podcast and an audio drama is, by the way.
As my digital stack of untouched Big Finish Doctor Who audio dramas can attest to, I have trouble finding the time to listen to long form podcasts and such. However, Sheela Chari wrote a novelization of the first season and I can always find time to read.
And frankly, I find it very helpful to know what students are reading and watching and listening to. Hence binging Demon Slayer a couple years ago.
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It’s a mystery so of course any discussion gives stuff away
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Mars Patel is a sixth grader in a world where kids have been disappearing, including one of his closest friends. It is also a world where a man named Oliver Pruitt is basically like Elon Musk if Elon Musk was actually like Reed Richards. On top of that, almost immediately, we learn that one of Mars other friends has low grade telepathic powers. And it is something that the everyone basically accepts without question.
While the work is clearly science fiction, it enough to make everything feel off kilter. Which I am going to tell myself is intentional because that sounds like the definition of teenagers.
Mars and his friends are depicted as delinquents but they aren’t like any delinquents I’ve had to deal with. They do remind me of students that I have dealt with but socially awkward does not equal malicious behavior. When they get destructive, it feels out of character.
As Mars and his friends investigate the worldwide disappearances, which you know means getting involved with billionaire genius Oliver Pruitt’s plans, there is a definite adults are useless vibe going on. That said, if Mars and company weren’t the protagonist and working towards an actual solution, doing things like investigating mysterious islands and checking out abandoned warehouses would be really dangerous.
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Okay, of course Oliver Pruitt is behind all the disappearing kids. And he’s been kidnapping and probably brain washing kids to become colonists for Mars. (The protagonist being named Mars feels a bit on the nose there) Going from Stephen King to Robert E. Heinlein was a bit jarring.
What I found interesting is that the book doesn’t make it clear if Pruitt’s crazy plans are a good thing or a bad thing. There were two more seasons of the podcasts which became two more books so I assume that gets explored. And that’s the biggest hook for making me eventually read more. (And if Pruitt doesn’t turn out to be Mars’ absent dad, I’ll be bewildered)
Mars Patel was interesting but also felt disjointed. I do wonder if that’s due to the transition from audio to literature.
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