How I Hacked the Moon for Educators
Resources for educators who want to bring AI, coding, space exploration, and friendship to their classrooms
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.
- •Lexile Level: 900
- •Grade Level: 6-9 (ages 10-14)
- •Page Count: 190 pages
Similar texts
- •The Lion of Mars by Jennifer Holm
- •The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
- •Jinxed by Amy McCulloch
- •The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
- •Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
Educators can request a digital copy of How I Hacked the Moon for review and classroom planning. Fill out the form below to request your eBook copy.
Educator Testimonials
"How I Hacked the Moon is an immersive story that is a perfect vehicle for teaching kids about astronomy and computer science. The characters are engaging and the science behind the story is accurate. Kids ages 10 and up will love this adventure set on the moon."
Science Communicator, Educator and Exhibitor, San Jose, CA
"I definitely kept turning the page to see what was going to happen and I enjoyed that I wasn't able to easily guess everything... Moon Girl's evolution from a girl with only one friend (her words) to the one she becomes in the end is so much fun to watch. I think this will be a fun read for my students when it comes out!"
Middle School Librarian, London, ON, Canada
"Read this in two days because it was hard to put down. A great YA story with suspense, solid characters and just the right balance of dystopian and heart warming."
Senior Director of K-8 Academics, Albany NY
How I Hacked the Moon introduces students to high level AI and software engineering concepts, astronomy, and ethical dilemmas in an engaging narrative that also explores themes of friendship, self-worth, and courage.
Best suited for grades 6-9 (ages 10-14), this middle-grade novel balances complex themes with age-appropriate content and language.
The book naturally integrates with STEM curriculum including Crosscutting Concepts in Earth and Space Science and Engineering Design.
Discussion Questions
Classroom Activities
Lunar Colony Design Challenge
Students work in teams to design their own lunar colony, considering challenges like oxygen supply, food production, and social organization.
Intro to AI Workshop
Using free platforms like Scratch or Code.org, introduce students to basic coding concepts mentioned in the book, such as loops, conditionals, and functions.
Ethical Dilemma Debate
Students debate scenarios inspired by the book's ethical dilemmas, developing arguments for different perspectives and discussing the potential consequences of various actions.
Downloadable Resources (coming soon!)
School Visits & Events
R.A. Dines is available for in-person and virtual school visits, workshops, and events. Programs can be customized to fit your curriculum needs and can include:
- •Interactive presentations about the writing process
- •Productive AI use workshops
- •Q&A sessions with students
- •Creative writing workshops