Spaced Out (Moon Base Alpha)



Last updated Thursday, March 30, 2023

Author: Stuart Gibbs
Date of Publication: 2016
ISBN: 1481423363
Grade Level: 4th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Apr. 2023

Synopsis: The moon base commander has gone missing and Dash Gibson is on the case in the second mind-boggling mystery of the Edgar-nominated Moon Base Alpha series.

There's nowhere to hide on the world's first moon base. After all, it's only the size of a soccer field. So when Nina Stack, the commander of Moon Base Alpha, mysteriously vanishes, the Moonies are at a total loss.

Though he may be just twelve years old, Dashiell Gibson is the best detective they've got. But this confusing mystery pushes him to his limits. Especially since he has his own huge secret to protect. With the fate of the entire human race hanging in the balance, will Dash be able to solve the mystery of the missing Moonie?

Note to readers:
•  This is a REALLY long book with a lot of characters (337 pages, 28 people still at Moon Base Alpha). You will want to put a bookmark or paperclip or keep a finger in the Moonbase Alpha Resident Directory at the beginning of the book. It explains who everybody is and their relationships to each other. If this book isn't read all in one sitting, the reader will want to keep flipping back to this directory.This might be something you want to show the kids how to do.
•  You will probably not get past chapter 5.
•  Moon Base Alpha is abbreviated as "MBA" throughout the book. Discuss with your reading partner(s) whether you want to call it by its initals (abbreviation) or say "Moon Base Alpha" throughout.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What detectives have you heard of? Are there any kid detectives? Would you be interested in being a detective?
•  Have you been to the California Science Center and seen the Space Shuttle? What did you think about it? (did it look like fun? Would you have liked to take a trip on it?)
•  Do people live on the Moon? (no) Will they some day? (maybe) Would you like to live on the Moon? Why or why not?
•  What would be different about being a detective on the Moon versus on Earth?

Vocabulary:

•  NASA - the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
•  compiled (compile) (page 2) - produced (something, especially a list, report, or book) by assembling information collected from other sources
•  dire (page 13) - extremely serious or urgent
•  revoking (revoke) (page 27) - put an end to the validity or operation of (a decree, decision, or promise)
•  spindly (page 27) - (of a thing) thin and weak or insubstantial in construction. (of a person or limb) long or tall and thin.
•  hygienic (page 30) - conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially by being clean; sanitary
•  cavalier (page 36) - showing a lack of proper concern; offhand
•  Scalpel (page 36) - a knife with a small, sharp, sometimes detachable blade, as used by a surgeon

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  At the beginning of each chapter, there is an excerpt from the fictional, future "Official Residents' Guide to Moon Base Alpha." It's in gray (show the kids) What does this tell us?
•  Why is Dash living on the moon? Because of his parents’ work at Moon Base Alpha, Dash gets to reside on the moon. Imagine what it would be like living there. What would be the greatest benefits to such an experience? What would be the biggest challenges? Do you feel that Dash takes advantage of this unusual situation?
•  Where does Dash meet Zan for the first time? Do you think Zan is real? Do you think aliens might be real?
•  How do people in space or on the Moon go to the bathroom? (page 25)
•  What does Dash overhear while he is in the bathroom late one night?
•  What does Zan want Dash to do?
•  Who is responsible for meeting Kira and showing her around Moon Base Alpha?
•  Encourage the kids to finish the book. It's an interesting and fun mystery.

Craft ideas:
•  Make a paper planet. Instructions and a demonstration are at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJqDGmcuqA8l Materials needed: construction paper and scissors. To make our Moon, you would use all grey and black papers; to make a generic planet or moon, you could use all kinds of colored paper. To hang their moon, use a knotted string or piece of yarn or a brad and string/yarn.
•  Write an "Official Residents' Guide to (School you are reading at)" or their block or their apartment building or even their home/apartment.
•  Earth Day is April 22nd. Make a flyer or a poster. See ideas and suggestions on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/april-2023-the-wonders-of-science-technology/earth-day-posterscards/

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!