Dark Side of the Moon (Space Runners #2)

Gr 4-6--Benny Love and his friends may have just won their battle against alien invaders, but the war is far from over. The next volume in this action-packed science fiction adventure picks up where the previous book left off. The residents of the Lunar Taj may have won the day, but they've lost their charismatic leader, Elijah West, and no one agrees on what to do next or who's in charge. They need help, and the best help Benny can think of may come from outside of the moon base; on the dark side of the moon. But their potential ally has his own agenda, one that Benny can't trust--especially since Earth forces are involved. Leadership has gotten complicated and no choice comes without consequences. This sequel continues to deliver wild future tech with kid appeal and nonstop action. Some readers may wish for a break in the unrelenting pace to flesh out personalities and backstories in more detail, but the accessible writing and relatable characters will have them turning pages to the end. VERDICT Great fun. Readers will want to pick up the first book, Space Runners: The Moon Platoon, prior to reading this installment. This series will appeal to fans of David Liss's Randoms and Max Brallier's The Last Kids On Earth.--Stephanie Whelan, New York Public Library

PRAISE FOR THE SERIES:

"Space Runners is Gravity meets The Fast and the Furious, only with kids running the show. Kraatz's lunar world feels like a theme park waiting to happen. A blockbuster mix of thrills, adrenaline, and lead characters who are as clever as they are courageous." — Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil

"I'd race to the moon and back to get a copy of this thrilling, funny, and ingenious book!" — C. Alexander London, author of The Wild Ones and the Dog Tags series

"Kraatz maintains a satisfying balance of action, intrigue, and wonder in this first book in the Space Runners series. Memorably entertaining characters play well against the tense premise and high stakes." — Publishers Weekly

"Fun, fast-paced, and filled with excellent inventions, this is sure to please sci-fi buffs. Deeper questions of war and peace and how to lead will stay with readers far beyond the last page. Otherworldly adventure that satisfies." — Kirkus Reviews

"An action-packed space romp that's sure to please young science fiction readers. Engaging characters, fast-paced storytelling, and keen enjoyment of the genre produce an altogether entertaining read." — School Library Journal

"Offers a passel of tasty elements: zippy space chases, a diverse cast of kids, complex humans, and intriguing aliens whose perspective isn't so different from that of humans. That's a lot of enjoyment, and the sequel will likely be eagerly anticipated." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books