Comments on: Little Brother + the Uglies series = le awesome young adult scifi

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:57:53 +0000

I suppose I’m dating myself by this comment, but I can recommend my own favorite teen-oriented SF from the fifties (or as they were called then – “juveniles”). Basically almost any of the “Winston Juveniles” (i.e. hardcover SF featuring teen protagonists published by Winston, and available at that time in many grade school or high school libraries). Plus, a special mention must go out for Robert Heinlein’s juveniles. There are too many to list comfortably without missing some, but off the top of my head – Have Space Suit Will Travel, Star Beast, Tunnel in the Sky, Starman Jones, Citizen of the Galaxy, Between Planets, etc. Of course, the teen characters featured in these were modeled on idealized teens of that day – not the present day, but the best of these are easily as timeless as a book like Tom Sawyer.

-Steve

By: Sarah Hanawald

Sarah Hanawald — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:41:54 +0000

Hi Danah,
Thank you for writing about YA Sci-Fi. One of the things I like about well-written YA Sci-Fi such as Scott Westerfelt’s work is that it provides an opportunity for “outlier” kids in middle school to connect to literature that speaks to them. The strong readers in the sixth grade have many options, but these books are written in a style that makes them accessible to students who are not necessarily advanced readers, but are advanced thinkers. These kids need support. They’re a group that doesn’t always get noticed, but they are special to me. Connecting to literature has a history of being a lifesaver to children who grow up to become extraordinary (which is not to say famous or notable) people.

I read your blog often, but never comment. So, this is also a bit of a fan letter–thank you for sharing your ideas, you’ve helped me shape some of mine more clearly and gotten me to push myself to spend some time with my thoughts on subjects I might prefer to just skim over. I particularly enjoyed your response to the Economist articles about social networking.
Thanks and good thoughts to you on your dissertation.

By: Clifford Jones

Clifford Jones — Fri, 02 May 2008 09:22:35 +0000

I am also a recent convert to YA Sci-Fi, thanks to T.C. Jessep. If you like the books mentioned here you have to check out her book ‘Emag of Efil’. It adds a cool element of satire to it’s comments on society. Can’t remember where it is online but I know it is still being offered for free somewhere as a download. I am sure a quick google (can’t access here at work) of either the book title or the author will get you to the right place.

By: Clifford Jones

Clifford Jones — Fri, 02 May 2008 09:21:42 +0000

I am also a recent convert to YA Sci-Fi, thanks to T.C. Jessep. If you like the books mentioned here you have to check out her book ‘Emag of Efil’. It adds a cool element of satire to it’s comments on society. Can’t remember where it is online but I know it is still geing offered for free somewhere as a download. I am sure a quick google (can’t access here at work) of either the book title or the author will get you to the right place.

By: Stefan Hayden

Stefan Hayden — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:43:42 +0000

right up the same ally is FEED by MT Anderson

http://www.amazon.com/Feed-M-T-Anderson/dp/0763622591