Roxie

Whether she’s terraforming Mars’ moon with dandelions after being left behind on a class trip, learning Martian as a Second Language, writing an AI program to communicate with ferocious Wild Zorkies at summer camp, or asking a Martian classmate to be her date to the Red Planet Ball, Roxie’s just trying to fit in as best as she can.

Zinnia

Zinnia is intrigued by the new Earthling who roller skates, loves basketball, and has complex emotions — but who doesn’t seem to know anything. Though Martians are far less emotionally developed than Earthlings, Zinnia guides her new classmate through the complexities of Martian society.

Mouse

Roxie’s pet mouse found he could talk on Mars (as all living things things can). Now his ambitions know no limit, starting with becoming an astronaut and exploring the galaxy — if he can find the time between playing video games and gorging on jellybeans. Mouse can be gluttonous, self-centered, and lazy, but he has a soft spot for Roxie and is always there to offer advice and dispense hard truths when she needs it.

Roxie’s Robotic Grandmother

Because Roxie was too young to travel to Mars by herself, her family bought her a robotic AI caretaker. Roxie’s robotic grandmother is good at her job. She bakes great chocolate chip cookies, tends to her fabulous healing garden, and offers unconditional love to her human granddaughter.

Louis

If you’re from Neptune, your body is a floating cloud of methane — but that hasn’t stopped Louis, a fellow visiting student, from overcoming the limitations of his impoverished planet to better himself. Like Roxie, he is dependable and a good friend. Still, can two people from such different backgrounds find common ground?

Recurring Characters

Roxie’s world is populated by teachers and classmates, as well as wild zorkies that roam the Martian desert, mythical ancient Martians who talk to her across alternate dimensions, and her father, who appears in warp bubbles and dreams. And since all things that are part of the natural world can talk on Mars, including plants and animals, there are plenty of surprising conversations to be had and new characters to meet when Roxie least expects it.