Life on the Moon - by Matthew Swanson (Hardcover)

About the Book

When twelve-year-old Leo moves to the Moon with his father and stepmother, he soon discovers a conspiracy surrounding life there--human and nonhuman, past and present.

Book Synopsis

The extraordinary tale of a curious boy sent to live on the moon, the wondrous discoveries he makes, and the courage it takes to speak a truth no one wants to believe.

The first rule of life on the moon is: There is no life on the moon.
The second rule is: Don't ask questions.

12-year-old Leo gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the very first Moon colony. He's excited to be part of the top-secret mission, but things quickly go off the rails. Right after his family lands on the Moon, Leo's dad is called off on an urgent mission from which he never returns. The authorities claim the mission never existed, and Leo's dad is accused of desertion.

Leo goes looking for his dad and discovers far more than he bargained for. Everyone in the colony insists there's NO life on the Moon. But Leo's explorations reveal a landscape brimming with extraordinary creatures--with baffling behaviors and beliefs.

Leo's big question is: why keep Moon life a secret? Who stands to gain? And how can he find a way to save his new Moon friends before the lie becomes a reality?

Review Quotes

"Like a modern-day Phantom Tollbooth, LIFE ON THE MOON is witty, inventive, and charming. A story that is sure to enchant readers and give them much to wonder about."--Jasmine Warga, Newbery Honor author of A Rover's Story

"Unafraid of big questions about life, the universe, and everything, this remarkable book left me reeling. A little like Carl Sagan, and a lot like nothing you've ever experienced before." --Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal

"Wild, profound and deeply felt, I'll never look up at the moon again without feeling a little less lonely." --Damon Lindelof, Emmy-winning co-creator of Lost and Watchmen

"Encounter the moon as you've never seen it before: full of weird, wonderful life and startling secrets. Like all of Matthew and Robbi's books, Life on the Moon is hilarious and heartfelt, whimsical and wise-a captivating read!"--Tui Sutherland, New York Times bestselling author of Wings of Fire

"With the dexterity of The Phantom Tollbooth, the whimsy of The Little Prince, and the ingenuity of The Martian Chronicles, this luminous book will captivate readers to the Moon and back." --Megan E. Freeman, New York Times bestselling author of Alone and Away

"An unforgettable work of imagination, depth, and whimsy. I loved it!" --Lincoln Peirce, New York Times bestselling author of Big Nate and Max and the Midknights

"Is there anything more exciting than a trip to the moon? Yes: this book." --Lemony Snicket, author of A Series of Unfortunate Events

About the Author

Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr are the husband/wife, author/illustrator team behind the Cookie Chronicles, The Real McCoys, Babies Ruin Everything, and Everywhere, Wonder (Imprint Books). Until recently, they also ran two small presses: Bobbledy Books and Idiots' Books. These days, they spend most of their time making books and raising four kids in the hayloft of an old barn in Chestertown, Maryland. They spend the rest of their time speaking, teaching, and leading workshops on collaboration and creative entrepreneurship--and the rest of the rest of their time running a commercial salmon-fishing operation on the Alaskan tundra.