The Star of Moon Village

An aspiring tween scientist fights for what she believes in as she journeys to the moon in an uplifting adventure set in 2079. When 12-year-old Priscilla is accepted to participate in the first student trip to the moon, she sees it as a chance to honor her late planetary scientist mother, as well to jump-start her dream of someday becoming a full-fledged Moon Village researcher. Priscilla’s excitement sours, though, when she learns that world-famous teen performer Starletta, with whom Priscilla has a rocky history, will be on the same trip. Worse, Moon Village’s mission seems to have shifted from scientific study to tourism and entertainment. To get the research center’s priorities back on track, Priscilla begrudgingly teams up with Starletta, intending to use the celebrity’s star power to bring awareness back to the sciences. Through Priscilla’s quiet acts of rebellion, Richter (Bird Nerd) offers an optimistic tale of lunar adventure that reflects contemporary society’s attitudes surrounding space tourism and the influential power of fame. Rich with scientifically faithful lunar details and speculation, it’s a story about strength and pursuing one’s dreams that’s sure to spark reader curiosity. Priscilla is Black; Starletta reads as white. Ages 8–12. Agent: Amy Thrall Flynn, Aevitas Creative Management. (Jan.)