Space Case

The protagonist and narrator of Space Case, Dashiell, who goes by Dash, is the 12-year-old son of an engineer and a scientist. Dash is portrayed as a smart, observant young adult who is dedicated to figuring out problems and standing up for what is right. This curiosity and drive is supported by his parents, who often talk to him about his ideas and issues. Over the course of the novel, Dash works on solving the mystery of Dr. Holtz’s murder while growing as a person in his capacity to come up with solutions and be an advocate for justice.

One of Dash’s most important character traits is his ability to find patterns where others see disparate events and facts. This knack for critical thinking helps him establish possible suspects in the murder case and eventually identify the murderer. Stuart Gibbs’s characterization of Dash in this way prompts adolescent readers to see their own intellectual curiosity as a strength, even if they aren’t dealing with as significant of a problem as a murder on a moon base.

Dash is also portrayed as a caring person who wants to have positive relationships with the people around him, helping him build community.