title: January Joker (Calendar Mysteries, No. 1)
author:  Ron Roy 
description: RON ROY has been writing books for children since 1974. He is the author of dozens of books, including the popular A to Z Mysteries, Capital Mysteries, and Calendar Mysteries. When not working on a new book in his Connecticut home, Ron likes to teach tricks to his dog Pal, play poker with friends, travel, and read thrilling mystery books. Visit him online at RonRoy.com.<br /><br />JOHN STEVEN GURNEY has illustrated many books for children, including the entire A to Z Mysteries series and Scholastics popular Bailey School Kids series. He lives in Brattleboro, Vermont.
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  # January Joker
  
  
  A strange yellow light filled the backyard. The snow and the barn had turned
  yellow.
  
  
  “See, I told you!” Bradley said. He stepped out onto the porch. Brian, Nate,
  and Lucy followed him.
  
  
  Next to the barn, two small creatures hopped around in the middle of a big
  circle in the snow. They looked like broccoli spears. They had large heads,
  short arms, and tiny legs.
  
  
  “Aliens!” said Bradley.
  
  
  
  
  
  _To my niece, Desiree Roy_  
   **—R.R.**
  
  
  _To Rhys, Issac, and Connor_  
   **—J.S.G.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/Roy_9780307771698_epub_tp_r1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are
  the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any
  resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely
  coincidental.
  
  
  Text copyright © 2009 by Ron Roy  
  Illustrations and map copyright © 2009 by John Steven Gurney
  
  
  All rights reserved.  
  Published in the United States by Random House Children