Book about a kid who builds a spaceship and goes to Mars

[Mark D]

Hi i am looking for a book i first read in the early 80's i thought by Ray Bradbury.
It is about a kid who develops a means to travel in space,so he builds a crate [i think] into a ship and fly's to Mars.Once there he has to eat a local plant to consume oxygen. Any ideas?

 

[Danny McG]

was he trapped there for a good while after he'd landed? think i remember a story where that happened

 

[Mark D]

I don't think so,I do remember there was some sort of creature whether friend or foe i can't say.

 

[Danny McG]

Ok then - not the story I was thinking of. good luck

 

[Mark D]

After a lot of googling around i've found it.
Welcome to Mars (1967) by James Blish
"Dolph had found the secret of anti-gravity and now the solar system was his to explore. In his homemade spaceship he soared through the star-studded blackness of outer space. It was all systems go until the power tubes burned out during the landing on Mars. Dolph was now the first man marooned on a strange planet..."

 

[otistdog]

Thanks for posting back with your own answer. I'm sure that future searchers will appreciate it.

Also, welcome to the Chrons!

 

[Bick]

The protagonist is a young man I think rather than a kid. Funnily enough, I just saw this cheap in a used book store and picked it up. I'll let you know if it's any good when I've read it!