Space Case by Stuart Gibbs (New York, Simon & Schuster) $10
Subtitled “A Moon Base Alpha Novel,” this extraterrestrial mystery is fast-paced and full of intrigue.
The hero is Dashiell Gibson, a 12-year-old boy who moves to the moon base with his scientist parents for a three-year stint. Dash is not thrilled to be taken from his beach-front home in Hawaii where he surfed with his friends. He finds his new living quarters cramped and complains bitterly about the evil toilet system, lack of compatible kids his age and the truly horrible food.
It is his reaction to a particularly nasty meal that causes him to overhear Dr. Holz late at night in the communal bathroom. When Dr. Holz is found dead the next morning, Dash is the only one who suspects that a murder was committed and the only people who believe him are two new arrivals, Kira and Zan.
Zan is a strange woman who claims to have been sent to carry out an undercover investigation into the supposed murder. She asks Dash to assist her by acquiring security video footage and Kira, who is Dash’s age, offers to assist him in this task. The plot thickens as various people become suspects and Dash’s sleuthing almost get him killed before all is revealed.
Dash is funny and enterprising and not only solves the murder but becomes privy to the incredible secret that caused Dr. Holz’s death. Lots of science-based information and details about the workings of a lunar habitat will satisfy space fans.
Give this to middle grade boys who will cheer when you tell them that a sequel, Spaced Out, has just been published.
Fran Ashdown was the children’s librarian at the Capilano branch of the North Vancouver District Public Library. She remembers when Neil Armstrong made history by setting foot on the moon.
