FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Somerville Author Publishes Debut Novel
How I Hacked the Moon by R. A. Dines is a fast-moving tale of teens living on the moon, that will appeal to adults too
SOMERVILLE, Mass., Sept 5, 2025 — Local award-winning author, R. A. Dines, publishes her innovative debut middle grade novel, How I Hacked the Moon. The novel, for ages ten and up, depicts a near-future dystopia where tech companies operate AI data centers on the moon. The story follows a group of misfits whose boredom leads them to hack into the company's systems, only to discover a dangerous secret.
Early reviews are enthusiastic, with a 4.5-star average and 3,000+ saves on Goodreads. Presales for the book are very strong considering it is a debut work, with the book already ranking in the top 10 best-sellers across two categories according to the print on-demand publishing heavyweight, Ingram Spark.
With a deep background in tech, Dines is keenly aware of AI’s impact on business and society. “This is a story I’ve been working on for nearly 10 years, and given the recent rise of AI and large language models, I felt like this was the right time to bring this story to readers,” Dines explained.
Dines, a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), is starting school visits this Fall, primarily to middle schools in eastern Massachusetts. “I’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from early readers of all ages, I’m especially excited to engage with middle schoolers regarding these themes and characters. I see it as an opportunity for pre-teens to learn about how AI works so they can engage with it more responsibly,” Dines said.
Dines also stayed local for her book production team, with cover art designed by renowned Boston artist Karl Stevens, author of several graphic novels, and local Somerville book designer, Janet Smith Taylor.
How I Hacked the Moon publishes September 5th 2025, and will be available wherever books are sold. Dines encourages readers to visit their local independent bookstore to purchase their copy.
ABOUT R. A. DINES
Ever since she first laid her hands on a keyboard, R. A. Dines has been fascinated with the intersection of art and technology. After spending two decades in big tech and startups, she is now in the second chapter of her career as an author and creative.
These days, you can find her reading, writing, coding, and 3D printing with her family outside Boston.
How I Hacked the Moon is her debut middle-grade novel.
ABOUT HOW I HACKED THE MOON
At the first coding academy on the moon, constant surveillance doesn’t stop the smartest misfits from plotting their escape—even if it costs them their freedom.
Life at the Lunar Coding Complex is boring, not that thirteen-year-old Moon Girl cares. She finds comfort in its predictability—her first real friend and her love of AI coding keep her anxiety in check. When a harmless prank with her charismatic bestie attracts the attention of rebel hackers led by Moon Girl’s crush Dovrin, she’s thrilled to join their crew. But as they uncover Big Smile Corp’s dangerous secrets, Moon Girl faces impossible choices: her friendship, her crush, or everyone’s safety. Even if they crack the system, do they want to escape back to Earth? And if they fail, what will the sinister corporation do to silence them?
Fans of The Last Cuentista and His Dark Materials will enjoy How I Hacked the Moon, a thrilling adventure for ages ten to adult.
Book Details
- Title: How I Hacked the Moon
- Author: R.A. Dines
- Genre: Middle-Grade Science Fiction
- Publication Date: September 5, 2025
- Length: 196 pages
- Age Range: 10-14 years (Grades 6-9)
- ISBN: 9798998625329
- Available Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook
Media Resources
- • High-resolution book cover
- • Author headshot
- • How I Hacked the Moon on Goodreads
- • Where to buy How I Hacked the Moon
- • Cover artist: Karl Stevens
- • Book designer: Janet Smith Taylor
Contact: Rachel Dines
Email: hello@racheldines.com
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