SOLVED. Sci-fi novel about a stolen nuclear-powered flying saucer that lands in a village, before taking off with children from the village aboard. [s]

[Steve]

I read this book sometime in the 1980's I guess. It was probably in the young teens section (or whatever they called it back then). The pilot of the saucer lands in an English (probably) village and demonstrates some of the functions of the craft (including a spotlight that follows his command) before boarding with the children and then taking off. The book follows what happens on board after that [not wanting to put spoilers here]

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Steve--we allow spoilers in this group. If you still want to "hide" then, click on the Some HTML is OK tab at the upper right of the comment box. It will (view spoiler)[walk you through how to do this (hide spoiler)] If you don't feel like doing that, just say "Spoilers ahead" and hit enter 3 or 4 times, then put down your spoiler. Often times it's the spoilers that get a book found.

[Steve]

Thanks Ann, I'll give it a go...
(view spoiler)[The saucer is a prototype military craft powered by nuclear engines. The pilot is dying of radiation exposure after over-loading the engines, but still takes the children with him. If I remember correctly, then once in space the kids have to settle their differences before learning how to fly the saucer and make it safely back to earth. (hide spoiler)]

[Kris]

Space Hostages by Nicholas Fisk? (Found using www.worldcat.org.)

The Italian version of this book is described as (using Google Translate): "A mysterious spacecraft lands in the middle of the cricket ground of a quiet English village and nine children who are a little too curious decide to board them. The ship leaves again, but the commander suddenly dies, so the children, alone and lost in space, will have to resort to all their resourcefulness in order to return to earth. An original and exciting story in which the adventurous aspect intertwines with a psychological analysis of the characters. Illustrations by Stefano Ricci." https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[Steve]

Kris!
That is exactly the book. I also now know that Time Travel is possible - when I read the first paragraph it was suddenly 1983 again 8-)
Thanks for finding that.

[Kris]

Great! Glad we could help, Steve.