Decoding the Moon

by Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw

266 pages, Paperback

Published February 25, 2026

About the author

Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw is a children's book author and former special education teacher who is passionate about growing young minds. Suzanne enjoys speaking at schools about writing, leadership, and how kids can make a difference in our world. The proud momma of two grown boys, Suzanne lives in Waterford, MI with her husband and furry writing companion Ziggy. When she's not dreaming up new writing projects, you can find her kayaking on the lake, hiking a trail, practicing at the yoga studio, or dabbling in interior design. Learn more about Suzanne at SuzanneJacobsLipshaw.com.

Reviews

[Aliceson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book about loss and grief. Levi’s mom passed away and they move to the UP (upper peninsula.) Levi has to figure out how to take care of his autistic brother and help him say goodbye to their mom. Levi is an avid rock climber. Right away this books grips you and you want to keep reading. Even though this deals with a hard topic (death of a parent), it’s not a sad book. It talks a lot about his rock climbing and is very descriptive of his climbs. Levi is a likable character- he experiences all the emotions of an average kid while dealing with his bother and his own grief. His brother Zack feels like an accurate depiction of someone with autism. I live in Michigan, so it was fun to read about places I’ve been. (Although my experience with Yoopers had not been the same as Levi’s. 😉) The end where everybody is sharing their feelings and openly talking about mom’s death feels unrealistic to me- and maybe a little cheesy.

Recommend for grades 2-7, for readers who like rock climbing, grief fiction or books about autism. Thanks NetGalley for the preview.

[Carlyn Morenus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good middle-grade novel about navigating grief and loss. Mom has died. Dad can't cope. He decides to move the family to a new place for a fresh start, trying to run away from his grief. Of course that doesn't work. But the 2 boys do find ways to cope, not without missteps, but I thought the story was stronger for that. Levi is an avid rock climber. Younger brother Zack is on the spectrum. Dad has checked out, so Levi ends up with sole responsibility for Zack, which is patently unfair, but to Levi's credit, he figures out ways to make it work. He and Zack become closer as a result.

I'm not a rock climber, but this book made the sport sound fascinating and I loved the way it combined it with coding/decoding -- showing how a sport is more than athletics, it requires thinking, planning, problem-solving. Levi is an avid rock climber, but with responsibility for Zack, it's a challenge to continue his sport. That he finds a way to connect Zack with the sport is admirable.

I really liked this book a lot, and think it can speak to many readers.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book about grief, facing your fears, persistence, and resilience. Levi’s dad is moving Levi and Zack to a new house in northern Michigan after their mom died. Levi loves rock climbing, but he has a new fear of heights after falling off the climbing wall in gym. Dad’s new job has a climbing wall at the university gym. When they go there the first time Levi meets Grace and her older brother who runs the gym. Levi has told his autistic brother who is spy-code obsessed that at the next supermoon it will help them feel closer to their mom. When they look Zack says he doesn’t see mom’s twinkle in her eyes. They decide to try again at the next supermoon, and Levi who’s been working on his confidence for claiming again wants to see if he can Zack to climb and get closer to the sight of the moon. Can Levi talk his brother into learning to climb? Great ending.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Kim Bartosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Decoding the Moon" is a heartfelt middle-grade novel about grief, brotherhood, and hope. Levi and his younger brother Zack, who is on the autism spectrum, set out to decode a message from their deceased mom using cryptography and the phases of the moon. I loved the authentic ASD representation, the creative coding system, and the rich Michigan setting. Themes of loss, overcoming fear, and healing are beautifully woven throughout. The author also has some wonderful resources in the back of the book for teachers and media specialists for additional learning. A powerful, emotional five-star read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you to the author for the book and my honest review.

Ready my full review ---> https://bit.ly/4kK6EZ9

[Kim Wilch]

Be still my heart! This book is such a heartfelt middle-grade story about grief, brotherhood, and finding your footing again. Levi and his brother Zack are trying to heal after losing their mom, and the moon-based code gives the story a really sweet, creative twist. I loved how the book handled fear, resilience, and the ups and downs of family life without feeling heavy. The autism representation is well done, and the Michigan setting adds a cozy touch. It’s emotional, yes, I cried, and it has a really touching ending. Kudos!

[Lacey Cope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this wonderful book with my 8 year old this summer! He loved learning about rock climbing and figuring out all the ciphers in the book. We both got teary over the boys losing their mom and throughout their grief journey. The bond between the two brothers was so sweet. It really was an amazingly written and well thought out book that is perfect for middle-grade readers and adults too! A master class in how people can process grief.

[Sarah Prusoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are parts of the book that made me cry (which is one of my "signs of a good book"). It is a beautiful story of a family growing closer together in their grief as they come to understand each other's needs, interests, and emotional life.

[Jessica Barris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect this one to hit me the way it did. It’s sad, but also really uplifting in a quiet way. The sibling dynamic is the standout for me—so genuine and heartfelt. Definitely worth the read if you like emotional but hopeful stories.