The six members of the Mad Scientist Club experiment with new projects which include making rain and launching a flying saucer.

Since 1960, both boys and girls have enjoyed reading about Alvin Fernald and his Magnificent Brain. Whenever it clicks into action and a glassy stare comes into his eyes, it's time to watch out Because Alvin is thinking up another marvelous invention.

Maybe it's the Foolproof Burglar Alarm for his bedroom door, or a Sure Shot Paper Slinger for delivering newspapers from his bike. Or a Portable Fire Escape, very handy when it comes time to crawl out the window for a secret meeting with his best pal, Shoie. No doubt about it, as his sister the Pest says, "Alvin is a genius "

The hint of a mystery surrounding the old Huntley place is all Alvin needs to launch a new series of inventions which bring extraordinary results. His remarkable inventing bench becomes the scene of frenzied activity. With Shoie and the Pest, who always tags along, there is never a dull moment as Alvin unfolds the most brilliant plan of his career.

"Wait a minute " Mr. Shaw said. "You want to take me back to the nineteenth century, to marry somebody there?"

His daughter Susan must be mad Only a girl suffering from hallucinations would make a request like that, on top of a wild story about a good witch, an elevator that travels to 1881, a vanquished scoundrel, a dug-up treasure, and a distressed nineteenth-century family named Walker. Better humor her, Mr. Shaw thinks, until I can get her to a doctor.

Susan is not mad. Her story is true. She and her new best friend Victoria Walker just know that when their parents meet it will be love at first sight, and the two families will become one.

But nothing happens the way it should. Their parents meet and don't fall in love. Domineering cousin Jane forbids more meetings. The treasure disappears overnight. The vanquished scoundrel returns, with sinister plans. Everything is spinning out of control

So why does an old photo show that Susan's and Victoria's dream comes true?

This is a new release of the original 1959 edition.

This is a new release of the original 1956 edition.

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!