Space Station Mars Book

Danny, his brothers, and the rest of the clubhouse crew are at it again. Since returning their dangerous snake and reptiles to the wild, they've found a meteor “from Mars,” as Neil, a visiting neighbor, has determined it. So begins a quest to find flying saucers and make contact with Martians. But such top secret work can be tricky when the “Martians” come looking for their lost meteor. School Library Journal calls The Dangerous Snake and Reptile Club “an appealing tale.... Throughout the story, readers see how well the youngsters work and play together, and allow their imaginations to take them on a super adventure.” Now, with a telescope, crystal radio, and amateur chemistry set, the gang takes part in a second uproarious true tale of brothers, best friends, and the extraordinary adventures they create. Use the secret alphabet at the back of the book to decode Neil's mystery letter (find complete text at http://www.clubhousebooks.com/decipher.htm) or to create messages of your own.

 

Snakes and Spaceships and Ghosts? Oh my! Find out what's new at the Clubhouse

Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. - Children's Literature

The Clubhouse Kids are back. The three San Souci brothers, some neighbor boys, and a visitor from across the street discover a smoldering meteor (actually a good size rock) in Mrs. Gray's backyard. They don protective gear (helmets made of paper sacks, pipe cleaners, and Styrofoam balls) and carry their treasure back to the clubhouse. Neil brings his chemistry set over to test the rock and determines that it is, indeed, a meteor. The boys divide into teams to track the flight of space ships. They search the skies with a telescope, place colored stickpins on a chart of the galaxy, and listen for strange noises on a crystal radio made out of an oatmeal box. Danny's job is to draw pictures of aliens to put on the walls of the clubhouse. Their hard work pays off. They spot a blinking light between the moon and Professor Stern's chimney. The next day they head in that direction and discover a large white structure that looks like an inverted saucer. They decide that the meteor is actually a source of energy that must be returned to the aliens and they solemnly hand the rock to a strangely clad being and hurry back home. The two men painting the water tower have no idea what to do with the rock. A celebration of the imagination of childhood shines through in this visit to San Souci's memories of growing up in an innocent age of imagination. A clubhouse Web site (www.clubhouse.fun) has been created for readers who would like to join the organization or just learn more about San Souci and his childhood adventures. Part of the "Club House Book" series. 2005, Ten Speed Press/Tricycle Press, Ages 5 to 9.