Young Stowaways in Space

"Young Stowaways in Space" by Richard M. Elam is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story revolves around two young boys, Garry Coleman and his best friend Patch, who are orphans with a dream of exploring space. They embark on an unexpected adventure when they sneak out to watch the launch of the space ship "Orion", only to accidentally become stowaways on the vessel heading to the Von Braun Space Station. At the start of the novel, Garry's ambition to become a spaceman is vividly portrayed as he and Patch navigate their way from the orphanage to the bustling spaceport. Driven by their excitement, the boys cleverly manage to avoid being caught as they board the "Orion" alongside the first space officer, Mulroy. However, their adventure takes a chaotic turn when they become trapped in a malfunctioning elevator moments before blast-off, ultimately finding themselves aboard the ship as it launches into space. Filled with both wonder and trepidation, they grapple with the reality of their situation and the looming consequences of their stowaway antics.