Blast Off with Gabby and Maddox

By Steve Altier

Join Gabby and Maddox on a wild, out of this world adventure!

While visiting their grandparents in Florida, Gabby and Maddox join the Children's Astronaut Program. Shortly after liftoff on what should have been a routine trip to the Space Station, Gabby and Maddox find themselves adrift on a ship with no power.

Thank

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Little Horsemen
• Release date: Mar 3, 2024
• ISBN: 9798823202817

Steve Altier

I grew up in a small town in central Pennsylvania. My parents owned the dam keeper's house on Lizardville Road. Across the street was an old, broken-down dam and the remnants of the ax factory. My buddies and I spent many days exploring the abandoned factory. Unexplained things happened when I was a child-inspiring my love for everything spooky and many of my stories. I currently live in Florida with my wife, four daughters, and four cats.Today, I'm a bestselling paranormal, mystery, and suspense writer. I am known for my multi-award-winning series, The Lizardville Ghost Stories, and Amazon Bestseller, The Ghost Hunter. I also have a fun line of middle-grade stories, The Gabby and Maddox Adventure Series. Several of my works have appeared in the national literary magazine Story Monsters Ink.I'm an avid reader who also enjoys bowling and spending time at amusement parks. I love to travel, take trips to the beach, or just lay around the pool with family and friends. You can visit my world at http://www.stevealtier.com

Book preview

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Table of Contents

One

Preparations

Two

Mission Day

Three

Blast Off

Four

Lost in Space

Five

New Friends

Six

Ubatuba

Seven

Cracking the Case

Eight

Time to Go

Nine

The Rescue

Ten

The Journey Home

Book Club Questions

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Blast Off with Gabby and Maddox

Copyright © 2023 Steve Altier. All rights reserved.

The Little Horsemen Publications

A division of 4 Horsemen Publications, Inc.

1497 Main St. Suite 169

Dunedin, FL 34698

4horsemenpublications.com

[e-mail]

Cover by Niki Tantillo

Cover Typography and Typesetting by Autumn Skye

Edited by Gayle Staggemeyer

All rights to the work within are reserved to the author and publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 International Copyright Act, without prior written permission except in brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Please contact either the Publisher or Author to gain permission.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023942265

Paperback ISBN-13: 979-8-8232-0280-0

Hardcover ISBN-13: 979-8-8232-0282-4

Audiobook ISBN-13: 979-8-8232-0279-4

Ebook ISBN-13: 979-8-8232-0281-7

Dedication

To Kelly Altier

Wishing you the best that life has to offer.

One

Preparations

Gabby sprang out of bed to the sound of Beep, beep, from the alarm. She quickly turned it off like she does every morning. The fact that Gabby was not a morning person didn’t stop her from bouncing out of bed today. Today was different. She was excited! This was the day of the big mission, the day she had been dreaming of all summer, the day she was going to ou ter space!

Gabby tip-toed down the long, dark hallway to the other guest room where her brother Maddox was staying. She slowly pushed the door open, looked in, and saw that Maddox was still asleep. Gabby walked over to the side of his bed and leaned forward. Time to wake up, sleepyhead, she said softly.

Maddox was slightly startled but opened his eyes to see Gabby standing over him. It’s too early to get up. What are you doing? Let me sleep a little more, Maddox snarled at his sister.

Today is mission day. Don’t you remember? asked Gabby.

Oh, yes! Give me five minutes, and I’ll be ready to go! Maddox replied as he jumped out of bed and ran past his sister toward the bathroom. Gabby returned to her room to get ready while Maddox did the same.

The two quickly dressed and walked together down the hallway toward the kitchen. The smell of Grandma’s pancakes filled the air as the kids entered the room. Grandma and Grandpa were sitting and having a cup of coffee at the table.

Well, look who finally woke up. I thought you two were going to sleep away your whole vacation, Grandpa said as he smiled.

I am making your favorite pancakes, said Grandma.

Sure, I’d love some of your mouthwatering pancakes, Gabby replied.

Me too, said Maddox.

Grandma stood up and made her way to the stove. She poured some batter on the griddle and then sprinkled some chocolate chips over the top. She made each of the children a nice stack of pancakes and placed them on their plates.

Are you both ready for a fun day at the Space Center? asked Grandpa.

You bet we are. I’ve been looking forward to this all week, replied Gabby.

Me too, said Maddox, eagerly awaiting his breakfast.

Grandma placed a stack of pancakes in front of each of them. I hope you’re hungry, she said.

Gabby and Maddox dug into their pancakes like they hadn’t eaten in a week. Maddox grabbed his napkin and wiped a little syrup from his lip.

Slow down a little and enjoy your food, Grandma said as she shook her head and smiled. It pleased her to know they enjoyed her pancakes so much.

It wasn’t long before Gabby and Maddox polished off their entire stacks.

Grandma, they were awesome, Gabby said with a full tummy.

Fantastic! Maddox agreed and smiled.

Well, thank you both. I’m thrilled you like my pancakes. Now that you’re finished, run along and brush your teeth. My little astronauts should have clean teeth before they go into space, said Grandma.

Gabby and Maddox made their way to the bathroom. Once finished, they returned to the bedroom to check their gear and ensure they had everything they needed for the trip. Gabby strapped her small school backpack to her back.

Are you ready, Maddox? she asked.

Almost, he replied. I think I forgot something. Oh wait, I know what I need.

Maddox quietly made his way down the hallway toward the kitchen. He slowed and peeked around the corner to ensure no one was there. The coast was clear. Moving across the room, he passed the kitchen table toward the counter. He looked around one last time. He stretched his hand across the counter and picked up the bag of chocolate chips, placing them in his backpack. Now I’m ready, he thought to himself.

What is taking Maddox so long? Gabby wondered. She turned down the hallway toward the kitchen just as Maddox appeared from around the corner.

There you are, she said. "We need to get

Reviews for Blast Off with Gabby and Maddox

[stevealtier · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Gabby and Maddox adventure series continues in this new chapter book when our siblings join the Children’s Astronaut Program while visiting their grandparents in Florida.Shortly after liftoff on a routine trip to the Space Station, something goes horribly wrong. Siblings Gabby and Maddox find themselves drifting deep into outer space on a ship with no power. Meanwhile Lieutenant Lenny and his staff at Space Command do all they can to aid the siblings.Lost and helpless in outer space, Gabby and Maddox are rescued by a purple alien named Spark from the planet Ubatuba. Shortly after their arrival on the alien planet, the children are asked to help solve a mystery that baffles the Ubatubans.Gabby and Maddox quickly learn not everything is what it appears. Will Gabby and Maddox be able to solve the mystery? Will Spark be able to help the children get back home? Australian friends Bindi and Cody are launched on a rescue mission to save now brings you the first book in the Gabby and Maddox adventure series in this book their young American friends, but will they make it in time?Join Gabby and Maddox on this new, wild, space adventure.