The Secret Hide-Out
Encyclopedia
The Secret Hide-Out is a children's novel written and illustrated by children's author
John Peterson
, who also created The Littles
. It was originally published as a hardback title by Four Winds Press
in 1965, then became a long-running paperback
for Scholastic Press
and its book clubs
, through the 1970s.
The book is an adventure story
about two brothers, Matt and Sam Burns, who discover the log book
of the Viking Club, a kind of junior secret society
of boys from a generation or so earlier. While Sam wants to skip the log's details and go straight to look for their old meeting place (the Secret Hide-Out), Matt wants to see if they can first pass the club's membership tests, as they are explained, and be "worthy" of going as prospective members... if the Hide-Out still exists. Another local boy called Beany joins them in their quest... and as it turns out, an original Viking Club member who learns of their plan prepares to meet them.
While the book does not include the complete "original" Viking Club log, it does include enough details and illustrations to show how such a club would initiate new members, and a style for presentation and decorum. A section in the back gives full instructions on making regalia
for club members, including masks, whistles, shields and (dull-pointed) spears. These could be easily made by the book's target audience, with mostly household materials, a bushel-basket lid being the hardest item to obtain.
The Viking Club was apparently based on Peterson's son Matt's own Viking Club, and the book doubtless inspired any number of "secret clubs" among its readers. A sequel to the book, Enemies of the Secret Hide-Out, appeared in 1966, and was also a longtime title for Scholastic.
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
John Peterson
John Peterson (author)
John Peterson was an American author of children's books during the 20th century. He is best known as the creator of The Littles, which began as a series of books in 1967, later adapted into a long-running animated cartoon series by DiC Entertainment...
, who also created The Littles
The Littles
The Littles is a series of children's novels by American author John Peterson, the first of which was published in 1967. Peterson's books were adapted into the The Littles animated series by DIC Entertainment 16 years later...
. It was originally published as a hardback title by Four Winds Press
Four Winds Press
Four Winds Press was the hardcover publishing arm of Scholastic Corporation, and published hardcover versions of many books available in paperback through Scholastic's book clubs. These included many children's books....
in 1965, then became a long-running paperback
Paperback
Paperback, softback or softcover describe and refer to a book by the nature of its binding. The covers of such books are usually made of paper or paperboard, and are usually held together with glue rather than stitches or staples...
for Scholastic Press
Scholastic Press
Scholastic is a global book publishing company known for publishing educational materials for schools, teachers, and parents, and selling and distributing them by mail order and via book clubs and book fairs. It also has the exclusive United States' publishing rights to the Harry Potter book...
and its book clubs
Book sales club
A book sales club is a subscription-based method of selling and purchasing books. It is more often called simply a book club, a term that is also used to describe a book discussion club, which can cause confusion.-How book sales clubs work:...
, through the 1970s.
The book is an adventure story
Adventure novel
The adventure novel is a genre of novels that has adventure, an exciting undertaking involving risk and physical danger, as its main theme.-History:...
about two brothers, Matt and Sam Burns, who discover the log book
Log book
A log book, in records management, may refer to:* A book of log tables* Logbook a log of important events in the management, operation, and navigation of a ship; or of the important events of a trip or expn* Inventor's notebook...
of the Viking Club, a kind of junior secret society
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
of boys from a generation or so earlier. While Sam wants to skip the log's details and go straight to look for their old meeting place (the Secret Hide-Out), Matt wants to see if they can first pass the club's membership tests, as they are explained, and be "worthy" of going as prospective members... if the Hide-Out still exists. Another local boy called Beany joins them in their quest... and as it turns out, an original Viking Club member who learns of their plan prepares to meet them.
While the book does not include the complete "original" Viking Club log, it does include enough details and illustrations to show how such a club would initiate new members, and a style for presentation and decorum. A section in the back gives full instructions on making regalia
Regalia
Regalia is Latin plurale tantum for the privileges and the insignia characteristic of a Sovereign.The word stems from the Latin substantivation of the adjective regalis, 'regal', itself from Rex, 'king'...
for club members, including masks, whistles, shields and (dull-pointed) spears. These could be easily made by the book's target audience, with mostly household materials, a bushel-basket lid being the hardest item to obtain.
The Viking Club was apparently based on Peterson's son Matt's own Viking Club, and the book doubtless inspired any number of "secret clubs" among its readers. A sequel to the book, Enemies of the Secret Hide-Out, appeared in 1966, and was also a longtime title for Scholastic.