CCBC-Net Archives
Positive sf
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: rmccutchan at caruspub.com <rmccutchan>
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 15:55:55 -0600
In that sf tends to be wrapped around a core idea, which is often a problem or controversial thread in current society, it's not surprising that, even with a positive hero, fighting for the right, the background details tend to be dark (Melissa Scott's CONCEIVING THE HEAVENS is a wonderful look into one sf writer's process--not really a kid's book, but would be something to suggest for teens interested in writing in the genre). Of course, a lot of fantasy is cast the same way--it's just that it's the Dark Lord Sauron instead of the megacorporation or the alien invader.
I'm not sure this series is still ongoing, but the StarBridge novels
(beginning with STARBRIDGE by A.C. Crispin. Other authors in the series include Kathleen O'Malley and Paul Park) seemed hopeful (also very much in the Star Trek tradition as mentioned earlier. These fall more along the lines of crossover novels--the series started out with a younger protagonist (at a space academy) but the later novels seem to aim at a more mature audience. I also like David Brin's BRIGHTNESS REEF and INFINITY'S SHORE--they're in the same realm of STARTIDE RISING and THE UPLIFT WAR and definitely set against a somewhat troubled universe, but these two in particular feature rather enterprising young (alien) protagonists; again, with Brin, I'm in crossover territory as opposed to true juvenile sf.
Charles Sheffield's YA hard-sf novels (written after the model of the Heinlein juveniles) seem pretty positive (or at least can-do), though I have to admit it's been a while since I read a few, and I haven't read all of them. Mary Caraker's younger sf novels (FACES OF CETI, SNOWS OF JASPRE) have that same spirit.
Ron McCutchan Senior art director CRICKET magazine
Received on Wed 28 Nov 2001 03:55:55 PM CST
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 15:55:55 -0600
In that sf tends to be wrapped around a core idea, which is often a problem or controversial thread in current society, it's not surprising that, even with a positive hero, fighting for the right, the background details tend to be dark (Melissa Scott's CONCEIVING THE HEAVENS is a wonderful look into one sf writer's process--not really a kid's book, but would be something to suggest for teens interested in writing in the genre). Of course, a lot of fantasy is cast the same way--it's just that it's the Dark Lord Sauron instead of the megacorporation or the alien invader.
I'm not sure this series is still ongoing, but the StarBridge novels
(beginning with STARBRIDGE by A.C. Crispin. Other authors in the series include Kathleen O'Malley and Paul Park) seemed hopeful (also very much in the Star Trek tradition as mentioned earlier. These fall more along the lines of crossover novels--the series started out with a younger protagonist (at a space academy) but the later novels seem to aim at a more mature audience. I also like David Brin's BRIGHTNESS REEF and INFINITY'S SHORE--they're in the same realm of STARTIDE RISING and THE UPLIFT WAR and definitely set against a somewhat troubled universe, but these two in particular feature rather enterprising young (alien) protagonists; again, with Brin, I'm in crossover territory as opposed to true juvenile sf.
Charles Sheffield's YA hard-sf novels (written after the model of the Heinlein juveniles) seem pretty positive (or at least can-do), though I have to admit it's been a while since I read a few, and I haven't read all of them. Mary Caraker's younger sf novels (FACES OF CETI, SNOWS OF JASPRE) have that same spirit.
Ron McCutchan Senior art director CRICKET magazine
Received on Wed 28 Nov 2001 03:55:55 PM CST
