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Moonlight Robbery: A Lunar Heist Adventure About Secrets and Survival for Middle-grade Readers
The Pitadel is a towering city built inside a vast lunar crevasse. Life there is divided by tiers - those at the top live in comfort, while those in the lower levels struggle to survive.
Twelve-year-old Max once lived in the upper levels with his relatives, trying to stay out of trouble by following the strict rulebook he made for himself. But when his cruel uncle throws him out of an airlock, Max’s carefully ordered life falls into chaos. Rescued by a daring young scavenger, Max is taken in by the Jetsams, a group of street-smart kids who scrape together a living in the lowest tiers of the Pitadel. It’s a dangerous world of secrets and survival, and Max isn’t sure he belongs.
But when Max discovers that his family is going to steal the inheritance left behind by his explorer father, he realizes salvation may be hidden somewhere deep within the Pitadel. To uncover the truth, Max will need help from his new friends and a plan bold enough to outsmart criminals, corrupt adults, and the city itself. But first he must do the one thing he’s always sworn never to do...
…Break his own rules!
Moonlight Robbery is a thrilling middle-grade adventure about friendship, courage and finding family in the most unexpected places. Perfect for readers who love clever heroes, daring heists, and worlds filled with wonder.
Twelve-year-old Max once lived in the upper levels with his relatives, trying to stay out of trouble by following the strict rulebook he made for himself. But when his cruel uncle throws him out of an airlock, Max’s carefully ordered life falls into chaos. Rescued by a daring young scavenger, Max is taken in by the Jetsams, a group of street-smart kids who scrape together a living in the lowest tiers of the Pitadel. It’s a dangerous world of secrets and survival, and Max isn’t sure he belongs.
But when Max discovers that his family is going to steal the inheritance left behind by his explorer father, he realizes salvation may be hidden somewhere deep within the Pitadel. To uncover the truth, Max will need help from his new friends and a plan bold enough to outsmart criminals, corrupt adults, and the city itself. But first he must do the one thing he’s always sworn never to do...
…Break his own rules!
Moonlight Robbery is a thrilling middle-grade adventure about friendship, courage and finding family in the most unexpected places. Perfect for readers who love clever heroes, daring heists, and worlds filled with wonder.
216 pages, Paperback
Published September 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 27, 2026
Moonlight Robbery is a story for children aged 8 to 12. I loved everything about this story!
The lunar landscape setting caught my imagination! It is the story of Max, a 12-year-old boy who lives in the upper levels of the Pitadel, a city built into a lunar crevasse. Then his uncle kicks him out of an airlock and he finds himself taken in by a group of street-smart kids called the Jetsams.
From here, his life turns on its head. From living in the upper levels to scraping a living in the lowest levels, Max doesn't know where he belongs.
He discovers his father's inheritance is in danger. He realises he needs to do something, anything! He knows he needs help to get to the truth, and the Jetsams are his only option. Will his newfound family be able to pull together for him? Will Max be able to break his own rules?
Oh my!! What an adventure on many levels; I couldn't help but love the characters. Max is amazing!! The Jetsams took a piece of my heart, with their own set of rules and just how streetwise they were. I wanted to give them all a good meal and a warm bed!
It is a perfect story for the age range it is aimed at, as well as adults like me who love action and adventure. David Barker definitely knows how to immerse a reader with his skills of storytelling!
The lunar landscape setting caught my imagination! It is the story of Max, a 12-year-old boy who lives in the upper levels of the Pitadel, a city built into a lunar crevasse. Then his uncle kicks him out of an airlock and he finds himself taken in by a group of street-smart kids called the Jetsams.
From here, his life turns on its head. From living in the upper levels to scraping a living in the lowest levels, Max doesn't know where he belongs.
He discovers his father's inheritance is in danger. He realises he needs to do something, anything! He knows he needs help to get to the truth, and the Jetsams are his only option. Will his newfound family be able to pull together for him? Will Max be able to break his own rules?
Oh my!! What an adventure on many levels; I couldn't help but love the characters. Max is amazing!! The Jetsams took a piece of my heart, with their own set of rules and just how streetwise they were. I wanted to give them all a good meal and a warm bed!
It is a perfect story for the age range it is aimed at, as well as adults like me who love action and adventure. David Barker definitely knows how to immerse a reader with his skills of storytelling!
September 30, 2026
Another brilliant page-turner from David Barker. I loved the futuristic moon setting, the believable and varied characters and the expert pacing. I couldn't put it down as I just needed to know what happened next! This book would suit readers aged 9 to 12 who love adventure, mystery and an action-packed read full of heists, heart and humour.
September 21, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. If you take an orphan style story base; think Oliver Twist and transport it to a lunar landscape, with added stresses that come from space living, zero oxygen and frozen depths you're in for one hell of a story. I loved the characters and that found family aspect of the street smart outcasts and the rules they set for themselves appeals to me so much. Such a good book I love the never give up mentality.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews