Voyage to the Metal Moon

by Michael Dahl, Patricio Clarey (Illustrator)

Zak Nine and Erro have come up with a brilliant plan to escape. They'll simply hide onboard a prison ship and ride it to freedom on another planet! Unfortunately, the boys don't get far when the ship docks at one of Planet Alcatraz's metallic moons. The hollow sphere is magnetic, and the only way to walk on it is by wearing special magnetic boots. The boys are soon discovered and are forced to flee. But how will they escape when they're stuck floating inside a giant metal ball?

Genres: Middle Grade

37 pages, Library Binding

Published August 1, 2019

About the author

Michael Dahl is the author of over 200 books for children and young adults, including the acclaimed Finnegan Zwake mystery series and The Library of Doom. His works have earned Edgar and Anthony Award nominations and national design honors. As Editorial Director at Stone Arch Books, he champions engaging, award-winning stories that inspire young readers everywhere.

He also writes under aliases Chris Carey, Rick Thomas, and Mark Ziegler.

Reviews

[Christi M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape from Planet Alcatraz is a new series by Michael Dahl, with Voyage to the Metal Moon as the advanced review copy provided on Netgalley. It can be best described as a graphic novel for middle grade or a graphic storybook as the illustrations tend to be a large focus of the book and so detailed-oriented they almost tell a story in themselves.

Voyage to the Metal Moon contains short chapters that initially made it feel like it leaned more toward the younger reader; however, after showing it to my middle grade age nephew he said he would definitely read it and be interested in this type of series. At the beginning of the book, the reader is provided a short description of our two young heroes along with a terrific map of planet Alcatraz. The story is told in first person from Erro’s point of view and is full of action, which is brought to life with the help of wonderfully vivid pictures. On a personal note, I couldn’t help but feel for Erro as things go from bad to worse. My nephew and I definitely recommend this fun book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Stone Arch Books for an ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

Rating: 5 stars

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book. A very short story, well illustrated and full of action that can get young readers introduce and to like science-fiction, which is not the most frequent genre in children literature. The plot is simple enough, but still alright and there is just not any time off, so even if some kids are not very attract by reading, this action pack book can allow them to see a different style of books, that might catch their attention. Different, original and well done!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very action oriented science fiction story that appears to be part of an ongoing series about a child and his alien friend who are trapped on an artificial moon above the prison colony world known as Alcatraz.



The book is very short and very quick.

And makes batsh*t sense. Without spacesuits, or helmets the two manage to return to the prison planet, from the artificial moon.

But if you suspend your disbelief, it will probably be enjoyable.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs Join the Penguin Resistance!🐧🐧&#x1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly delightful Science Fiction Adventure story aimed at Middle Graders or slightly younger adventurous readers, about trusting intuition and the power of friendship to overcome turmoil and seemingly impossible obstacles. Engagingly illustrated, well-formattted to appeal to young curious readers indeed. A very prolific and imaginative author!

[Derek Admana]

GOOD SERIES

[Teresa Grabs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dahl's story was both too short and just right at the same time. This heavily illustrated short chapter book will grab any young or reluctant reader and not let go until they start asking what happens to Zak and Erro next. I don't feel like this is the first book in the series as I have no idea how the two friends met and why they sought adventure. Dahl does, however, provide a brief introduction to how they ended up on Planet Alcatraz. I immediately fell in love with the characters and want more!

Thank you NetGalley and Capstone Books for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.