Young Adult Science Fiction (Contributions to the Study of Science Fiction and Fantasy)

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. Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Introduction: Extrapolation and the Young Adult Reader......Page 14 PART I: HISTORY AND CRITICISM......Page 18 1 American Technological Fiction for Youth: 1900–1940......Page 20 2 American Young Adult Science Fiction Since 1947......Page 34 3 Young Adult Science Fiction in Canada......Page 50 4 The Janus Perspective: Science Fiction and the Young Adult Reader in Britain......Page 68 5 German Science Fiction for Young Adults......Page 86 6 Australian Science Fiction for Children and Adolescents: 1940–1990......Page 98 PART II: TOPICAL APPROACHES......Page 110 7 The Young Adult Science Fiction Novel as Bildungsroman......Page 112 8 Women in Heinlein's Juveniles......Page 132 9 Young Adults, Science Fiction, and War......Page 144 10 No Grownups, Please: A Study of the American Science Fiction Film......Page 160 11 Science Fiction in Comic Books: Science Fiction Colonizes a Fantasy Medium......Page 174 PART III: BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 196 12 Science Fiction for Children and Young Adults: Criticism and Other Secondary Materials......Page 198 B......Page 254 J......Page 255 W......Page 256 Y......Page 257 About the Editor and Contributors......Page 258 Expert contributors examine young adult science fiction in various countries and discuss special topics related to science fiction for young adults.