SOLVED. Boy finds glowing part with little hairs on it [s]

[Carol]

I read this book in roughly 1984 or '85. It is about a boy who finds an odd item. It warm when he picks it up, and it can glow, and it has soft wavy hairs on it that he can kind of pet. I think there was a little girl who helped him. I remember crystal radios for communication, and that the part was eventually found to be part of a spaceship or UFO and the aliens needed it back to leave Earth. I have looked, and looked but I can't find this book title! Thank you for your help!

[Tab]

Carol, do you remember the cover?

what time period/location was the books setting?

What was the tone/mood? Scary, mysterious, humorous, etc?

[Carol]

Hi Tab,

I normally remember covers, but in this case, I don't. I do wish that I did!

The time period of the book *might* have been the late 50's or 60's but it didn't stick in my mind as having a set time period.

The boy kept the part in his bedroom, and I remember how it would respond to the hairs being petted. As a young reader I wasn't sure it wasn't alive. Because of that I would say suspense and or mystery. He kept it at home when he went to school and most of the events occurred in his bedroom. Things like working with the crystal radio(s), and the strange object. However, I think there was also a basement, but that part is foggy.

Thank you so much for your help!
Carol :)

[Tab]

Maybe The Moonball by Ursula Moray Williams?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Short description:
"During a great thunderstorm, a mysterious object, small and round and covered with golden hair, lands on the village green."

You can read it on OpenLibrary.

[Carol]

This is a very interesting book, but so far it isn't the same one I am looking for. I have read about 100 pages.

I think the object was square and I don't recall more than two children either. It was also not alive, but somehow connected to the spaceship.

Meanwhile, I'll finish reading this book anyway!

Carol :)

[Carol]

I read The Moonball, but it was not the book I am looking for. I did think it was cute though. Thank you for helping! I'm hoping we will still find the book I'm hunting for.
Carol :)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Black Suits from Outer Space possibly? In case you have a few memories wrong. In this book (view spoiler)[the alien device is essentially a plea for help--and the alien needs the help of Calvin (the MC) to find his space ship, since he's on the alien equivalent of a budget tour, with all that implies about cheaply made and always malfunctioning equipment. (hide spoiler)]

[Carol]

Thank you Ann!! I will check it out, but it says it was published in '89. This had to be written before then, because I was only in public schools for 2 years. It was in my 5th grade school that I read this book that I am searching for. Even so, I will follow any link and I'm sure I am going to find it ---- eventually!
Carol :)

[Rory]

The book is called....
The gizmo from outer space by Keo Falker Lazurus.

This was my favourite book growing up.

Regards

Rory

[slauderdale]

The Gismo From Outer Space by Keo Felker Lazarus?

[Carol]

I bought a copy soon as I found the name. ;) Yes, it's The Gizmo from outer space.