2022-2023学年神奇树屋《MTH08MidnightontheMoon》

MagicTreeHouse#8

MidnightontheMoon

MaryPopeOsborne

Prologue

OnesummerdayinFrogCreek,Pennsylvania,amysterioustreehouseappearedinthewoods.

Eight-year-oldJackandhisseven-year-oldsister,Annie,climbedintothetreehouse.

Thetreehousewasfilledwithbooksanditwasmagic.Itcouldgoanyplacethatwasinabook.AllJackandAnniehadtodowastopointtoapictureandwishtogothere.

Theyvisiteddinosaurs,knights,anEgyptianqueen,pirates,ninjas,andtheAmazonrainforest.

Alongtheway,theydiscoveredthatthetreehousebelongedtoMorganleFay.MorganwasamagicallibrarianfromthetimeofKingArthur.Shetraveledthroughtimeandspace,gatheringbooksforherlibrary.

Oneday,JackandAnniefoundanotethatsaidMorganwasunderaspell.JackandAnniesetoutinthemagictreehousetofindfourspecialthingsthatwouldfreeher.

WiththehelpofamousenamedPeanut,JackandAnniefoundthefirstthinginoldJapan,thesecondintheAmazonrainforest,andthethirdintheIceAge.

NowJack,Annie,andPeanutarereadytofindthelastthing…inMidnightontheMoon.

ChapterOne

ByMoonlight

"Jack!"whisperedavoice.

Jackopenedhiseyes.Hesawafigureinthemoonlight.

"Wakeup.Getdressed."Itwashissister,Annie.

Jackturnedonhislamp.Herubbedhiseyes.

Anniewasstandingbesidehisbed.Sheworejeansandasweatshirt.

"Let'sgotothetreehouse,"shesaid.

"Whattimeisit?"askedJack.Heputonhisglasses.

"Don'tlookatyourclock,"saidAnnie.

Jacklookedathisclock."Oh,man,"hesaid."It'smidnight.It'stoodark."

"Noitisn't.Themoonmakesitbrightenoughtosee,"saidAnnie.

"Waittillmorning,"saidJack.

"No--now,"saidAnnie."WehavetofindthefourthMthing.Ihaveafeelingthatthefullmoonmighthelpus."

"That'snuts,"saidJack."Iwanttosleep."

"Youcansleepwhenwecomebackhome,"saidAnnie."Notimewillhavepassed."

Jacksighed."Oh,brother,"hesaid.

Buthegotoutofbed.

"Yay!"whisperedAnnie."Meetyouatthebackdoor."ShetiptoedoutofJack'sroom.

Jackyawned.Hepulledonhisjeansandsneakersandasweatshirt.Heputhisnotebookandpencilintohisbackpack.Thenhecreptdownthestairs.

Annieopenedthebackdoor.Quietly,theysteppedoutside.

"Wait--"saidJack."Weneedaflashlight."

"No,wedon't.Itoldyou--themoonwilllightourway,"saidAnnie.Andshetookoff.Jacksighed,thenfollowedher.

Anniewasright,thoughtJack.Themoonwassobrightthathecouldseehisshadow.Everythingseemedwashedwithsilver.

Soontheylefttheirstreet.AnnieledthewayintotheFrogCreekwoods.Itwasmuchdarkerundertheshadowsofthetrees.

Jacklookedup,searchingforthetreehouse.

"There!"saidAnnie.

Themagictreehousewasshininginthemoonlight.

Anniegrabbedtheropeladderandstartedclimbingup.

"Careful--goslowly,"saidJack.

Hefollowedheruptheladderandintothetreehouse.

Moonlightstreamedthroughthewindow.

ItshoneontheletterMthatshimmeredonthewoodenfloor.

ItshoneonthethreeMthingsthatrestedontheM:amoonstonefromthetimeoftheninjas,amangofromtheAmazonrainforest,andamammothbonefromtheIceAge.

"WeneedjustonemoreMthing,"saidAnnie,"tofreeMorganfromherspell."

Squeak.

"Peanut!"saidAnnie.

Inthedimlight,Jacksawatinymouse.Shesatonanopenbook.

"Youdidn'texpecttoseeusthislate,didyou?"saidAnnie.

ShepickedupPeanut.AndJackpickeduptheopenbook.

"Sowherearewegoingthistime?"Annieaskedhim.

Jackheldthebookuptothemoonlight.

"Uh-oh,"hesaid."Iknewweshouldhavebroughtaflashlight.Ican'treadathing."

Hecouldmakeoutdiagramsandshadowypictures.Buthecouldn'treadaword.

"Lookatthe"saidAnnie.

Theletterswerebiggeronthecover.Jacksquintedatthem.

"It'scalledHello,Moon,"hesaid.

Anniegasped."We'regoingtothemoon?"

"Ofcoursenot,"saidJack."It'simpossibletogotothemoonwithouttonsofequipment."

"Why?"

"There'snoair.Wecouldn'tbreathe.Notonlythat,we'dboiltodeathifitwasdayandfreezetodeathifitwasnight."

"Yikes,"saidAnnie."Sowheredoyouthinkwearegoing?"

"Maybeaplacewherepeopletraintobeastronauts,"saidJack.

"Thatsoundsneat,"saidAnnie.

"Yeah,"saidJack.He'dalwayswantedtomeetastronautsandspacescientists.

"Sosaythewish,"saidAnnie.

Jackopenedthebookagain.Hepointedtoapictureofadome-shapedstructure.

"Iwishwecouldgothere;"hesaid

Thewindstartedtoblow.

Thetreehousestartedtospin.

Itspunfasterandfasterandfaster.

Theneverythingwassilent.

Absolutelysilent.Asquietandstillassilencecouldbe.

ChapterTwo

SpaceMotel

Jackopenedhiseyes.

Helookedoutthewindow.Thetreehousehadlandedinsidealargewhiteroom.

"Whatkindoftrainingplaceisthis?"askedAnnie.

"Idon'tknow,"saidJack.

Theroomwasround.Ithadnowindows.Ithadwhitefloorsandacurvedwalllitbybrightlights.

"Hello!"Anniecalled.

Therewasnoanswer.

Wherewerealltheastronautsandspacescientists?Jackwondered.

"There'snobodyhere,"saidAnnie."Howdoyouknow?"saidJack."Ijustfeelit,"saidAnnie.

'We'dbetterfindoutwhereweare,"saidJack.

Helookedatthepageinthemoonbook.Hereadthewordsbelowthepictureofthedome.

Amoonbasewasbuiltonthemoonintheyear2031.Thetopofthedomeslidesopentoletspacecraftsenterandleave.

"Oh,man--"Jackwhispered."What'swrong?"saidAnnie.

Jack'sheartpoundedwithexcitement.Hecouldhardlyspeak."We'velandedinsideamoonbase,"hesaid.

"So...?"saidAnnie.

"Sothemoonbaseisonthemoon!"saidJack.

Annie'seyeswidened."We'reonthemoon?"sheasked.

Jacknodded."Thebooksaysthemoonbasewasbuiltintheyear2031,"hesaid."Sothisbookwaswrittenafterthat!Whichmeansthisbookisfromthefuture!"

"Ohwow,"saidAnnie."Morganmusthavegoneforwardintimetoborrowitfromafuturelibrary."

"Right,"saidJack."Andnowwe'reinthefuture,onthemoon."

Squeak,squeak!

AnnieandJacklookedatPeanut.Themousewasrunningaroundincircles.

"PoorPeanut,"saidAnnie.

Shetriedtopickthemouseup.ButPeanuthidbehindthemangoontheletterM.

"Maybeshe'snervousaboutbeingonthemoon,"saidAnnie.

"She'snottheonlyone,"saidJack.Heletoutadeepbreath,thenhepushedhisglassesintoplace.

"Sowhat'samoonbase?"askedAnnie.Jacklookedatthebook.Hereadaloud:

Whenscientistsvisitthemoonforshortperiods,theyeatandsleepinthemoonbase.

"Aspacemotel!"saidAnnie.

"Iguess,"saidJack.Hereadmore:

Thesmallbasehasalandingchamberandaroomforstoringspacesuits.Airandtemperaturecontrolsmakebreathingpossible.

"Sothat'swhywecanbreathe,"Jacksaid.

"Let'sexplore,"saidAnnie."WehavetofindthefourththingforMorgan."

"No,firstweshouldstudythismap,"saidJack.Hepulledouthisnotebook.

"Youstudyit,"saidAnnie.

Jackcopiedthemap.Thenhedrewinthetreehouse.

"Okay,"hesaid.HepointedattheXinhisdrawing."We'rehere."

Jacklookedup.Anniewasgone.

"Oh,brother,"Jacksaid.Asusual,shehadleftwithouthim.Beforetheycouldevenmakeaplan.

Jackputthemoonbookandpencilintohispack.Carryinghisnotebookandbackpack,hestartedoutthewindow.

Squeak!Squeak!

JacklookedbackatPeanut.ThemousewasrunningbackandforthontheM.

"Stayhereandbesafe,"saidJack."We'llbebacksoon."

Jackswunghimselfoverthewindowsill.Hisfeettouchedthefloorofthelandingchamber.

"Annie!"hecalled.

Therewasnoanswer.

Jacklookedathisdiagram.

Itshowedonlyonewaytogo.Jackwalkedalong'thecurvedwhitewalltothestairs.

Heclimbedthestepstoahallway.

"Jack--hurry!"Anniewasattheendofthehallway,standingintheairlock.Shepeeredoutawindowinagiantdoor.

Jackhurriedtowardher.Anniesteppedasidesohecouldlookoutthewindow,too.

"Oh,man,"saidJack.Whathesawtookhisbreathaway.

Hestaredatarockygrayland.Thelandwasfilledwithgiantcratersandtallmountains.Thesunwasshining.Buttheskywasink-black!

"Sayhitothemoon,"Anniesaidsoftly.

ChapterThree

OpenSesame!

"ThefourthMthingmustbeoutthere,"saidAnnie.

BesidethedoorwasabuttonwiththewordOPENonit.Anniereachedforthebutton.

"Wait!"Jackgrabbedherhand."There'snoaironthemoon.Remember?"

"Oh.Right.ButwehavetogoouttofindtheMthing."

"Let'sseewhatthebooksays,"saidJack.

Hepulledthebookoutofhispack.Heflippedthroughituntilhefoundapagethatshowedthesurfaceofthemoon.Hereadaloud:

IttakesfourteenEarthdaystoequalonedayonthemoon.Noairprotectsthemoonfromthesun'srays,sodaytimeheatreaches260degrees.

JacklookedatAnnie."Itoldyouourbloodwouldboilifwewentoutthere,"hesaid.

"Yuck,"shesaid.

Jackreadfromthebookagain:

Moonscientistswearspacesuits,whichhavecontrolstokeepthemfromgettingtoohotortoocold.Theyhavetanks,whichprovideairfortwohours.

"Wheredowegetspacesuits?"askedAnnie.Shelookedaroundthentrottedbackdownthehall."Maybethere...?"

Jackwasstudyinghismap."Let'strythespacesuitstoreroom."

"Don'tlookatthemap,"saidAnnie."Lookattherealroom!"

Jackglancedup.Anniewaspeeringthroughadoorwayoffthehall.

"There'satonofspacestuffinhere!"shesaid.

Jackwenttolook.

Bulkywhitesuitshungfromhangers.Airtanks,helmets,gloves,andbootssatinneatrowsonshelves.

"Wow,it'slikethearmorroominacastle,"saidJack.

"Yeah,withhugearmor,"saidAnnie.

"Let'spickoutthesmalleststuff,"saidJack."Thesuitscangooverourclothes."

Anniefoundthesmallestwhitesuit.AndJack'foundthenextsmallest.Theysteppedintothem.

ThenAnnielockedJack'sairtankintoplace.

"Thanks,"hesaid.Andhedidthesameforher.

"Thanks,"shesaid.

"Gloves?"saidJack.HeandAnniepulledonwhitegloves.

"Boots?"saidAnnie.Theyeachpulledonapairofhugewhiteboots.

"Helmets?"saidJack.Hereachedforahelmet.

"Wow,they'reprettylight,"hesaid."Ithoughtthey'dbelikeknights'helmets."

JackandAnnieputthehelmetson.Theylockedeachother'sintoplace.

"Ican'tmovemyheadrightorleft,"saidAnnie.

"Meneither,"saidJack."Let'strywalking."

JackandAnniemovedclumsilyaroundtheroom.Jackfeltlikeafatsnowman.

"Closeyourvisor,"saidAnnie.

Theybothclosedtheirsee-throughvisors.AirfilledJack'shelmet.

"ICANBREATHE!"Annieyelled.HervoiceboomedinJack'sears.

"Ow!Talkquietly,"Jacksaid."Wehavetwo-wayradiosinsideourhelmets."

"Sorry,"whisperedAnnie.

Jackputthemoonbookbackinhispack.Thenheslungthepackoverhisshoulder.

"Okay!"hesaid."Remember,weonlyhavetwohoursofairinourtanks.SoweneedtofindthefourthMthingreallyfast.""Ihopewecanfindit,"saidAnnie.

"Metoo,"saidJack.Heknewtheycouldnotgohomeuntiltheydid.

"Let'sgo,"saidAnnie.ShegaveJackalittlepush.

"Watchit.Nogoofingoff,"hesaid."Wedon'twanttofalloverinthesesuits."

"Justgo--go!"saidAnnie.Shepushedhimoutoftheroom.Theywalkedbacktotheairlock.

"Ready?"saidAnnie."Opensesame!"ShepressedtheOPENbutton.Adoorslowlyslidclosedbehindthem.Adooropenedinfrontofthem.

AndJackandAnniesteppedoutontothemoon.

ChapterFour

MoonRabbits

"Oh,wow!"saidAnnie.Shetookastepforward.

ButJackstoodfrozen.Hewantedtogetagoodlookateverythingfirst.

Hestaredattheground.Hewasstandinginalayerofgraydustasfineaspowder.

Footprintswereeverywhere.Jackwonderedwhohadmadethem.

Hereachedintohispackforthemoonbook.Tohissurprise,itwasaslightasafeather!

Hefoundapictureoffootprintsonthemoon.Heread:

Themoonhasnorainorwindtoblowthedustaround.Sofootprintswillneverwearawaynaturally,noteveninabillionyears.

"Oh,man,"Jacksaid.

Themoonwasthestillestplacehehadever,everbeen.Itwasasstillasapicture.Anditsstillnesswouldnever,everend.

Jackstaredattheink-blacksky.Alovelyblue-and-whiteballglowedfaraway.

Earth.

Forthefirsttime,itreallyhitJack.Theywereinouterspace.

"Look!"Anniecried,laughing.

SheboundedpastJack--almostflyingthroughtheair.Shelandedonherfeet.Thenshejumpedagain.

"I'mamoonrabbit,"shecalled.

Jacklaughed.Howdoesshedothat?hewondered.Heturnedapageandread:

Apersonweighslessonthemoonbecauseofthemoon'slowgravityandlackofair.Ifyouweigh60poundsonEarth,youwouldonlyweigh10poundsonthemoon.

"Don'tjuststandtherereading!"saidAnnie,grabbingthebookfromJack'sglovedhand.Shetosseditintospace.

Itflewfaraway.

Jackstartedafterit.

Heboundedupanddown.Boing!Boing!Boing!Nowhefeltaslightasafeather.

"Look!"hecalledtoAnnie."I'mamoonrabbit,too."

WhereJack'sbootshittheground,moon-dustgracefullysprayedintospace.

Thebookhadlandedattheedgeofashallowcrater.

WhenJackreachedit,hetriedtostop.Buthisfeetslipped.

Hefellrightoverandlayonhisside.Hetriedtostand.Buthewasoff-balance.

Hetriedagain.Butthedustwasjusttoodeep.Andhisspacesuitwastooclumsy.

"Youokay?"askedAnnie."Ican'tgetup,"saidJack.

"Youshouldn'thavebeengoofingoff,"saidAnniewisely.

"Yougoofedofffirst,"saidJack."Nowhelpmeup,please."

Anniestartedtowardhim.

"Don'tfall,too,"warnedJack.

"Iwon't."Anniemovedveryslowly.Shehalffloated,halfwalked.

"Givemeyourhand,"shesaid.

AnniegrabbedJack'shand.Shepressedherbootagainsthisandpulledhimup.

"Thanks,"hesaid.

"Noproblem,"shesaid."Itwaseasy.Youwerereallylight."

"Thankgoodness,"saidJack."It'simpossibletogetupalone."

Hepickedupthemoonbook.Itwascoveredwithdust.Hebrusheditoff.

"Oh,wow!Look!"saidAnnie.Shestoodattheedgeofthecrater.

"Whatisit?"saidJack.

"Amoonbuggy!"saidAnnie.

Thebuggywasparkedinthecrater.Ithadfourhugewheels.

"Let'sgoforaride,"saidAnnie.

"Wecan't,"saidJack."Wejusthavetwohoursofairinourtanks.Remember?"

"Ibetwe'llfindtheMthingfasterifwetakethemoonbuggy!"Annieboundedintothecrater.

"Butwecan'tdrive!"saidJack.

"IbetIcandrivethis,"saidAnnie."Itlookseasy.Comeon!"

Shejumpedintothedriver'sseat.

"Butyoudon'thavealicense!"saidJack.

"Whocares?"saidAnnie."Therearen'tanyroadsonthemoon,orstoplights,orpolicemeneither."

Shewasright,Jackthought.

"Well,goslow,"hesaid.Andheclimbedinbesideher.

AnniepushedabuttonlabeledON.Themoonbuggylurchedbackward."Yikes!"saidAnnie.

"Steponthebrake!"saidJack.

Anniepressedapedalonthefloor.Thebuggystoppedwithajerk.

"Whew,"shesaid.

"Itmustbeinreverse,"saidJack."Letmestudythis--"

Butbeforehecouldstudyanything,Anniepushedanotherbutton.

Thebuggytiltedback.Itsfrontwheelsstartedtoriseintotheair.

"Letmeoutofhere!"saidJack.

Anniepushedmorebuttons.

Thebuggy'sfrontwheelslandedbackontheground.Andthebuggyleapedforward.

"Slower!"saidJack.

"Ican't,"saidAnnie."Idon'tknowhow!"

Anniesteeredthebuggyoverthetracksontheground.Thewidewheelskeptitfromsinkingintothedeepdust.

"Careful!"saidJack.

Thebuggyzoomedoutofthecrater.

Graycloudsofdustrosebehindthemastheytookoffacrossthemoon.

ChapterFive

HangOn!

Anniedrovethemoonbuggyoverbumpsandhollows.Itbuckedlikeabronco.

"I'mgoingthroughthere!"Shepointedtoanopeningbetweentwomountains.

Jackheldontothedashboard.

Thebuggybumpedtowardtheopeningandshotthrough.

Ontheotherside,thegroundwaseven

"LookforthefourthMthing!"saidAnnie,bouncingupanddown.

Jackgroaned.Lookingforanythingonthiswildridewasimpossible.

"Sl-slowd-down!"hesaid.

"How?"

"Trypressingontheb-brakepedal.Onthef-floor--slowly!"

Anniepressedonthebrake.

Thebuggysloweddown.Jacksighedwithrelief.Theridewasstillbumpy.Butnow,atleast,hecouldtakeagoodlookatthemoon.

Hehadneverbeentosuchacolorless,barrenplace.Therewasnogreen,noblue,nored.

Nowater,notrees,noclouds.

Onlygiantgrayrocksandcraters--andanAmericanflag.

"Oh,man,"saidJack."That'sfromthefirstastronautswholandedonthemoon!"

"Andlook--atelescope!"saidAnnie.

Shedroveneartheflagandtelescope.Thensheputherfootonthebrakeuntilthebuggystopped.

ShepressedabuttonthatsaidOFF.ThensheandJackhoppedout.

Theytookslowgiantstepstothesiteofthefirstmoonlanding.

Besidetheflagwasasign.Anniereaditaloud:

HEREMENFROMTHEPLANETEARTH

FIRSTSETFOOTUPONTHEMOON,JULY1969A.D.

WECAMEINPEACEFORALLMANKIND.

"That'sagoodmessage,"saidJack.

HehandedthemoonbooktoAnnie.Thenhetookouthisnotebookandpenciltocopythesign.

"Let'sleaveourownmessage,"saidAnnie.

"Whatshouldwesay?"saidJack.

"Thesamething,"saidAnnie."Butsaywearethefirstkids."

Jackturnedtoanewpageinhisnotebook.Inbiglettershewrotetheirmessage.

"Nowwehavetosignit,"Anniesaid.Jacksignedhisname.

ThenhepassedthenotebookandpenciltoAnnie.Shesignedhernameandpassedthenotebookback.

Jacktoreoutthepieceofpaper.Heputitbytheflag.

TodaythefirstkidsfromtheplanetEarthcamtotheMoon.Wecameinpeaceforallchildren.JackandAnnie

Nowindwouldeverblowthemessageaway.Norainwouldeverfallonit.

Itwouldbethereforever,unlesssomeonemovedit.

Thinkingof"forever"madeJackfeeldizzy.Heshookhisheadtoclearhisthoughts.Thenherememberedthetime.Hadtwohourspassedyet?

"IwishIhadawatch,"hesaid,standingup."Wemightberunningoutoftime."

"Oh,wow.Amoonman!"saidAnnie.

"What?"Jackturnedtolookather.

Shewasstaringthroughthetelescope.

Jackwalkedovertothetelescope.Anniesteppedasidesohecouldlook,too.

Jackgasped.Inthedistance,somethingwasflyingabovetheground.

Itlookedlikeagiantmaninaspacesuit.

ChapterSix

HighJump

"Whoisthat?"saidJack.

"Idon'tknow,"saidAnnie."Butwe'llsoonfindout!"Shestartedwaving.

"No!"saidJack.Hegrabbedherarm."Let'sgobacktothebase--beforehegetshere!"

"Why?"saidAnnie.

"Wedon'tknowwhoheis!"saidJack."Wedon'tknowifhe'sfriendlyormeanorwhat."

"Butwecan'tgoback,"saidAnnie."Wehaven'tfoundthefourthMthingyet.

Wewon'tbeabletogohome."

"Itdoesn'tmatter.Wecanlockthedooratthemoonbaseuntilhegoesaway,"saidJack."Thenwecangetnewairtanks!"

Jackhurriedtothemoonbuggy."Comeon!"Hejumpedintothedriver'sseat.

Anniegavea'littlewavetothedotinthesky.Thensheclimbedintothemoonbuggy.

Thebuggytookoff.

"Careful!"saidAnnie.

TheybumpedovertherocksasJackturnedthebuggyaround.Thentheyzoomedtowardthepass.

Jacksteeredaroundcratersandrocks.Morethanoncethebuggynearlytippedover.

"Whoa!Slowdown!"saidAnnie.

Theywerealmostatthemountainpass.Suddenly,acloudofdustflewupinfrontofthem.Thegroundtrembled.

"Watchit!"criedAnnie.Jackcouldn'tseeathing.

Hesteppedonthebrake.Thebuggyjerkedtoastop.

Thedustsettled.

Agiantrockhadfallenintothenarrowpass.Itwasstuckbetweentwowallsofrock.Theyweretrapped!

Jackquicklyfoundapictureofagiantrockinthemoonbook.Hereadaloud:

Rocksofallsizescrashintothemoonfromouterspace.Theserocksarecalledmeteorites.

"We'reluckythatmeteoritedidn'tlandonus,"saidJack.

"Yeah,andIguessit'stoobigtobetheMthing,"saidAnnie.Shehadclimbedoutofthemoonbuggyandwasstandingbythemeteorite.

Itwasmorethantwiceastallasshewas.

Jacklookedattheblacksky.Theflyingthingwasnowhereinsight--yet."We'llhavetojumpoverit,"Anniesaid.

"Jump?Idon'tthinkso,"saidJack."It'stoohigh."

"I'mgoingtotryanyway,"saidAnnie.

"Wait.Let'sthinkfirst,"saidJack.ButAnniewasalreadybackingup.

"One,two,three--go!"sheshouted,andtookgiant,leapingstepstowardthemeteorite.

WhenAnniegotclosetotherock,shepushedofftheground.Thensheflewthroughspaceanddisappearedbehindthemeteorite.

"Annie!"Jackcalled.

Therewasnoanswer.

"Oh,brother,"Jacksaid.Hebackedupandtookofftowardtherock.Hejumpedashighashecould.Thenhewasflyingthroughspace.

Jackhitthegroundandfellfacedownintothedust.

Jacktriedtostand.Buthissuitwastoobulky.Hetriedtorollover.Buthissuitmadeeventhatimpossible.

"Oh,no,"hegroaned."Notagain."

"Areyouhere?"askedAnnie."Didyoumakeit?"

"Yes!"Jackwasrelievedtohearhervoice.

Buthecouldn'tturnhisheadtoseeher.Hecouldonlyhearherovertheradio.Canyouhelpmeup?"heasked.

"Nope,"saidAnnie"Whynot?"

"Ifelldown,too,"shesaid.

"Oh,brother,"Jacksighed."Nowwearereallyintrouble."

Hetriedtostandagain.Andfailed."Canyouseeanything?"heasked.

"Justthesky,"saidAnnie."Wow,isitweird..."

"I'mworriedaboutourairtanks,"saidJack."Ifeellikeit'sbeentwohours."

"Ja-ack..."saidAnnie.

"Andwhataboutthatmoonman?"saidJack."Wheredidhegoto?"

"Jack!"whisperedAnnie."What?"

"He'shere,"shesaid."Themoonmanishere."

"What?"

"He'sstandingaboveme."

ChapterSeven

TheMoonMan

Jack'sheartnearlystopped.

HecouldhearAnnietalking.

"Hi,"shesaid."Wecomeinpeace."

Therewassilence.ThenJackheardAnniesay,"Thankyou.Ihavetohelpmybrotherupnow."

Amomentlater,AnnierolledJackontohisback.

Shegrabbedhishandandpulledhimup.

"Thanks,"saidJack,oncehewasstanding.Themoonmanwasafewfeetaway.Hisfacewashiddenbyametalvisor.

Helookedlikeaspaceman.Ahugespaceman--withagianttankonhisback.Itwasasbigasarefrigerator.

"That'sajetpack!"saidJack."I'veseenpicturesoffutureastronautsflyingwiththosethings.It'slikeamini-spaceship.Right?"

Themoonmandidn'tanswer.

"Idon'tthinkhecanhearus,"saidAnnie."He'snothookeduptoourradio."

"Oh,right,"saidJack."I'llwritehimamessage!"

"Goodidea,"saidAnnie.

Jackpulledouthisnotebookandpencil.Hewrote:

We'reJackandAnnie,WecomeinpeacefromAmerica.Whoareyou?

Jackhandedthenotebookandhispenciltothemoonman.Theylookedtinyinhisbighands.

Themoonmanlookeddownatthemessage.Helookedatthetinypencil.Thenheturnedthenotebookover.

JackandAnniewatchedasthemoonmanputthepenciltothepaper.Hewaswritingsomethingverycarefully.

FinallyhegavethenotebookbacktoJack.JackandAnniestaredatthemarks.

"Stars,"saidAnnie."Hedrewstars."

"Spacemap?"saidAnnie."Hey,Jack,mapstartswithM!"

"Oh,wow,"saidJack."ThisfourthMthing!"

"Let'saskhimwhathismapmeans,"saidAnnie.Sheturnedaround.

"We'llneverknownow,"shesaid.

"Why?"Jacklookedupfromthemap.

"That'swhy."Anniepointed.Themoonmanwasflyingoverthemountains.

"Thanks!"Anniecried.

ChapterEight

OneStartoAnother

"Whowasthatguy?"saidJack."Whatdoeshismapmean?"

"Idon'tknow,"saidAnnie."Butlet'sseeifitworks."

Jacktookadeepbreath."Yeah,we'dbetterhurryback.IthinkI'mrunningoutofair.Itfeelshardertobreathe."

"Forme,too,"saidAnnie.

"Goslow.Don'tbreathetoomuch,"saidJack.

HeandAnnietooklong,floatingstepstowardthemoonbase.Jackheldhisbreathasifhewereunderwater.

Bythetimetheygottothewhitedome,hewasreadytoburst.

Anniepushedabuttonbesidethehugedoor.Itslidopen.Theyhurriedintotheairlock.Thedoorclosedbehindthemandthedoortothehallwayopened.

Jackopenedthevisorofhishelmet.Hetookalong,deepbreath--andletitout."Ahhhh!"

"Let'sgetoutofthesesuits,"saidAnnie.

"Goodidea."Jackwasdyingtofreehisarmsandlegs.

Astheymovedclumsilyintothespacesuitstoreroom,Jackfeltheavyagain.

HeandAnnieunlockedeachother'shelmets,gloves,andboots,andpulledeverythingoff.Thentheysteppedoutoftheirbulkysuits.

"Whew!"Jacksaid.Hetookoffhisglassesandrubbedhiseyes.

Itwasgreattobefree--evenifhenolongerfeltaslightasafeather.

"Hurry!Peanut'swaiting!"saidAnnie.

Sheledthewaydownthestepstothebrightlandingchamber.

"Yay,"shesaidsoftly.

Jackwasrelievedtoseethetreehousestillthere.Soonthey'dbeheadinghome.Hecouldn'twait.

JackandAnniecrawledthroughthetreehousewindow.

"We'reback,Peanut!"saidAnnie.

Squeak!PeanutrantotheletterM.

"Wemissedyou!"saidAnnie.Shepattedthemouse'shead."Wemetamoonman."

"Sorry,Peanut,butyouhavetomove,"saidJack."WehavetoputthemapontheM."

AnniegentlyliftedthemouseofftheM.

Jacktorethestarmapoutofhisnotebook.HeplaceditontheM,nexttothemammothbone,themango,andthemoonstone.

Hesighed,thensatbackonhisheels."HandmethePennsylvaniabook,"hesaid.TheyneededthePennsylvaniabooktogetbackhome.

Therewassilence.

JackturnedandlookedatAnnie.

"It'snotworking,Jack,"shesaid."Thebook'snothere."

"What?"Wasthemapthewrongthing?Theylookedaroundthetreehouse.

"It'sdefinitelynothere,"saidAnnie.

"Oh,no."Jack'sheartsank.Hepickedupthestarmapandstaredatit.

Squeak,squeak.PeanutjumpedoutofAnnie'sarmsandscurriedbacktotheletterM.

"I'vegotanidea,"saidJack.Hereachedintohispackandtookouthispencil.

"Whatareyoudoing?"saidAnnie.

"Youknowhowyoudrawaconstellation?"saidJack."Youconnectallthestars.Whathappensifwetrythat?"

Hedrewalinefromonestartoanother.Hekeptdrawing,untilallthestarswereconnected.

"Letmesee,"saidAnnie.

Jackheldthepaperoutsotheycouldbothstudyit.

"Itlookslikeamouse,"saidAnnie."Yeah,"saidJack.

"Istheresuchathingasamouseconstellation?"saidAnnie.

"Idon'tthinkso..."saidJack.Squeak.

AnnieandJacklookedatPeanut.ShewasstandingontheM.

"Oh,wow.Jack,"Anniewhispered,"IthinkIknowwhatthefourththingis--"

Jackgrinned."Metoo,"hesaid."It'sa--"

"Mouse!"theysaidtogether.Squeak!Squeak!

"Maybethespellis--Moonstone,mango,mammothbone,mouse!"saidAnnie.

JacktouchedeachMthinginturnashewhispered,"Moonstone,mango,mammothbone,mouse."

"Let'ssayitoverandoverandseewhathappens,"saidAnnie.

Together,theychanted:

"Moonstone,mango,mammothbone,mouse.Moonstone,mango,mammothbone,mouse."

Suddenly,abrightlightfilledthetreehouse.

Thelightgotbrighterandbrighterand