Shanghaied to the Moon [Hardcover]

Michael Daley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2007 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Thirteen-year-old Stewart Hale dreams of Space Academy and becoming a famous pilot like his mother, and like his hero Val Thorsten. But after his mother’s death, his father has forbidden any talk of Stewart going into space. And Stewart suspects there’s something that is being kept hidden from him, something they don’t want him to remember from his past.

A chance encounter with a washed-up old spacer gives Stewart an unexpected opportunity to sneak off on his own mission to the Moon. But when the old spacer’s intentions turn out to be less than honorable, Stewart realizes he hasn’t found his big break—he’s been shanghaied!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8–The year is 2165 and all Stewart wants for his 13th birthday is his dad's signature on his Space Academy application. When his father won't comply, and his holograph of a counselor tries to force Stewart to watch his mother's tragic death repeatedly, the boy throws a dangerous tantrum and runs off. He follows a mysterious but intriguing stranger onto a ratty old spaceship heading on a secret mission to the moon. During the journey, he learns who this person really is, what his mom has to do with this mission, and what secrets his dad and brother have been keeping from him for most of his life, all while trying desperately to help keep the rickety spaceship from crashing. This adventure is fast paced and exciting, full of small mysteries and somewhat shocking surprises, and Stewart's narration is quite believable. Daley's writing style is simple, with short sentences and minimal description, making this a great read for reluctant readers, but perhaps a little light for seasoned science-fiction fans. While not an exceptional novel, it is still a fun adventure.–Sharon Senser, Oakland Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

In the spirit of sf authors Heinlein and Norton, Daley has created a fast-paced, science-based adventure with a compelling narrator, 13-year-old Stewart Hale. Stewart wants to be a space pilot like his mom, who died in a crash. His father opposes the idea, but eventually Stewart runs away as a cabin boy on a moon-bound ship. Subplots include a conspiracy to keep Stewart from finding out what really happened to his mother and to his hero, rocket pilot Val Thorsten, who disappeared while testing a new rocket. Daley peppers the text with plenty of actual science and history about the U.S. space program. There's no romance or edginess and characterization is secondary, but this throwback to a time of gentle adventure stories will attract kids fascinated by space exploration. Debbie Carton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399246193
• ISBN-13: 978-0399246197
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,098,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spacebound Adventure and Intrigue, March 7, 2007

By 

Mel Odom (Moore, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shanghaied to the Moon (Hardcover)

Michael J. Daley's new book, SHANGHAIED TO THE MOON, starts of with plenty of adventure and more intrigue than I'd expected. Thirteen-year-old Stewart Hale wants to be a space pilot like his mom, but she was killed in a fiery crash that he can't quite remember. That's part of the whole mystery that unfolds throughout the novel.

The first-person narrative adds extra tension and interest as we hear Stewart's story as he presents it. From the beginning of the session with the virtual counselor, I knew something was going on behind the scenes. So did Stewart. As he dug more into the mystery surrounding his life and his mother's tragic death, I got more interested.

When he met the washed-up spacer who offered him a chance to crew aboard his spaceship to the moon, I knew the adventure was about to become even more exciting. The guy doesn't tell Stewart everything, but he tells him enough to make him paranoid about what's going to happen to him if he doesn't come along for the trip.

Once in space, Stewart's life is balanced on a knife-edge of danger. Daley also throws in a lot of interesting tidbits about space travel and offers speculation about how space exploration is going to progress.

SHANGHAIED TO THE MOON is a great, compact read that will keep young readers nailed to their seats to see the adventure through to the end and solve the mystery. Kids (and adults who read kids' books) will find a welcome break from all the fantasy novels that are filling the shelves lately. Strap in and blast off!

4.0 out of 5 stars Shanghaied to the Moon, April 9, 2007

By 

Andra H. Horton - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shanghaied to the Moon (Hardcover)

All Stewart wants for his 13th birthday is for his father to sign his application to Space Academy Camp so that he can learn how to be a spacer, like his video hero Val Thorsten was. And like his mother was. Until she died. But his father is on the moon, and it doesn't look like he'll be back in time to sign the application.

When Stewart meets an aging spacer at the Old Spaceport after a disturbing session with his counselor, things begin to change. He is shanghaied to the moon on a secret mission with a pilot he knows nothing about. On the journey, without the help of a brainwashing counelor, fragments of memory around the death of his mother resurface for him until he is faced with the truth.

Michael Daley has created a totally believable future world in space, paying such close attention to detail that the reader is completely able to suspend reality and travel in the co-pilot's seat to the moon.

Though not an avid reader of science fiction, I was rivited to this novel. For me, the setting was an interesting backdrop to the real suspense of the plot: who is this spacer, why does he need Stewart, what is is mission, what really happened when Stewart's mother died, nnd, most importantly, will Stewart make it home?

A great read for anybody who likes a fast paced adventure and coming of age story, spiced with a realistic view of what future space travel might look like.