Young Adult Science Fiction

At the close of the nineteenth century, American youths developed a growing interest in electricity and its applications, machines, and gadgetry. When authors and publishers recognized the extent of this interest in technology, they sought to create reading materials that would meet this market need. The result was science fiction written especially for young adults. While critics tended to neglect young adult science fiction for decades, they gradually came to recognize its practical and cultural value. Science fiction inspired many young adults to study science and engineering and helped foster technological innovation. At the same time, these works also explored cultural and social concerns more commonly associated with serious literature. Nor was young adult science fiction a peculiarly American phenomenon: authors in other countries likewise wrote science fiction for young adult readers. This book examines young adult science fiction in the U.S. and several other countries and explores issues central to the genre. The first part of the book treats the larger contexts of young adult science fiction and includes chapters on its history and development. Included are discussions of science fiction for young adults in the U.S. and in Canada, Great Britain, Germany, and Australia. These chapters are written by expert contributors and chart the history of young adult science fiction from the nineteenth century to the present. The second section of the book considers topics of special interest to young adult science fiction. Some of the chapters look at particular forms and expressions of science fiction, such as films and comic books. Others treat particular topics, such as the portrayal of women in Robert Heinlein's works and representations of war in young adult science fiction. Yet another chapter studies the young adult science fiction novel as a coming-of-age story and thus helps distinguish the genre from science fiction written for adult readers. All chapters reflect current research, and the volume concludes with extensive bibliographies.

K. V. Bailey has contributed essays and reviews to Foundation, The Wellsian, The Australian Science Fiction Review, and other critical journals and symposia. He has been Senior Lecturer in History at Daneshill College, was Chief Education Officer at the British Broadcasting Corporation Martha Bartter is Associate Professor of English at Truman State University John Foster is the Director of the Centre for Children's Literature at the University of South Australia Marietta A. Frank is Curriculum Librarian at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford James Craig Holte is Associate Professor of English at East Carolina University Michael M. Levy is Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Stout Marjorie McKinstry received her BA and MA degrees from East Carolina University and is now working in collections and corrections in Virginia Francis J. Molson is Emeritus Professor of English at Central Michigan University Donald Palumbo is Professor of English at East Carolina University Franz Rottensteiner is a free-lance editor, literary agent, translator, publisher's consultant, and writer Andy Sawyer is Librarian of the Science Fiction Foundation Collection of the Sydney Jones Library, University of Liverpool, and teaches on the University's MA in Science Fiction Studies C. W. Sullivan III is Professor of English at East Carolina and a member of the Welsh Academy Greer Watson is a doctoral student in English literature at the University of Toronto