In 2040, twelve-year-old Dash is one of twenty-two residents of Moon Base Alpha, the first moon colony. Most of them are scientists or technicians, like Dash’s parents, although NASA is relying on space tourism to help pay the bills. Hence the obnoxious Norwegian family of four, unable to comprehend that wealth can’t buy what there isn’t room to bring along. When the mission’s revered medical doctor dies on a solo, unplanned, early morning moonwalk not long after Dash overheard him excitedly talking about a new discovery, the base commander is among those unwilling to believe Dash’s suspicion of murder. Then a supply rocket arrives with security officer Zan Perfonic. She secretly asks Dash to investigate, and he enlists the help of new arrival Kira. While the mystery fuels the plot, it’s almost secondary to the fun of exploring Stuart Gibbs’s imagined future: Sure, Dash and his fellow residents may be pioneers, and Kira helps Dash remember the thrill in that, but there’s no glamor in life on the moon, even though NASA’s PR department would have everyone on earth think otherwise. There is great gender equity, however, and the equality of men and women, as well as the multiracial reality of life in 2040 (the Norwegians are unusual for being white) are among the things it’s wonderful to see taken as typical twenty-five years from now. (Ages 8–12)

It’s a murder mystery on the moon in this humorous and suspenseful space adventure from the author of Belly Up and Spy School.

Like his fellow lunarnauts—otherwise known as Moonies—living on Moon Base Alpha, twelve-year-old Dashiell Gibson is famous the world over for being one of the first humans to live on the moon.

And he’s bored out of his mind. Kids aren’t allowed on the lunar surface, meaning they’re trapped inside the tiny moon base with next to nothing to occupy their time—and the only other kid Dash’s age spends all his time hooked into virtual reality games.

Then Moon Base Alpha’s top scientist turns up dead. Dash senses there’s foul play afoot, but no one believes him. Everyone agrees Dr. Holtz went onto the lunar surface without his helmet properly affixed, simple as that. But Dr. Holtz was on the verge of an important new discovery, Dash finds out, and it’s a secret that could change everything for the Moonies—a secret someone just might kill to keep...