Conference noted::sf

    James Blish
    
    	Cities in Flight series
    	Welcome to Mars
    	...and a couple more I can't remember the names of
    
    James H Schmitz
    
    	the Telzey Amberdon stories
    
    Anything by Poul Anderson, Asimov, Clarke - but preferably early stuff
    
    Edgar Rice Burroughs
    
    	Anything "of" Mars, Venus
    	Pellucidar & At the Earth's Core
    
    Anything by Jack Vance
    
    Keith Laumer
    
    	A Trace of Memory
    
    Van Vogt
    
    	Null-A, Isher, The Silkie, Planets for Sale
    
    George O Smith
    
    	Venus Equilateral (Ace (I think) collected all the stories into one
    book, but this was a lot of years ago. Might be hard to get hold of)
    
    Doc Smith, Heinlein
    
    Ol' Planetbuster (sorry, Edmund Hamilton)
    
    	Doomstar
    	The Starwolf Trilogy
    
    Anything by Leigh Brackett
    
    
    
    Er, I'll stop now and let someone else have a go....
    
    Richard
    

    	Hi Ruth,
    
    In trying to imagine what I would have most enjoyed myself as a 10 year
    old... My votes would be (in order of preference):
    
    David Brin - Practice Effect, Startide Rising, Sundiver
    Pohl's Gateway & sequels
    Niven's Ringworld & Ringworld engineers
    The Integral Trees, by (I think) Larry Niven, or Niven & Pournell.
    Possibly Zelazny's Amber series; at least the first few, if fantasy is
    enjoyed (unicorns, castles, etc)
    
        I think all of the above are *wonderful* imagination-stimulators;
    if they contain overly racy or violent scenes, my memory has purged
    them.
    
    	Heinlein's fun, but perhaps a bit of a dirty old man for a 10 year
    old.... I think I read Stranger in a Strange Land at about 12 or 13,
    and that & my parents playing of Tom Lehrer songs have no doubt
    contributed to a perverse nature. 
    
    						chuck
                                    

Re .2

>    	Heinlein's fun, but perhaps a bit of a dirty old man for a 10 year
>    old.... I think I read Stranger in a Strange Land at about 12 or 13,
>    and that & my parents playing of Tom Lehrer songs have no doubt
>    contributed to a perverse nature. 

So stick with the books Heinlein wrote for the younger audience.  Close
to a dozen are available.  There's nothing shocking about them.  Titles
include BETWEEN PLANETS, CITIZEN OF THE GALAXY, HAVE SPACESUIT WILL TRAVEL,
and THE ROLLING STONES.

Re .0

I'd recommend giving Andre Norton a try, too.  Thousands of people got 
started with sf by reading Heinlein and Norton science fiction when they 
were young; much of it is wonderful stuff.

Try your local children's library; it should have something of a selection of
children's and young adult sf and fantasy.  (If it doesn't, ask pointedly
why not.)  There's a lot that's good being published these days (and, one must
admit, a lot of junk).  One of the best new imprints is Jane Yolen Books from
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, which does mostly fantasy; two series I recommend
from them are the "Enchanted Forest Chronicles" by Patricia C. Wrede:  DEALING
WITH DRAGONS, SEARCHING FOR DRAGONS, and (just released) CALLING ON DRAGONS; and
the Magic Shop books by Bruce Coville: JEREMY THATCHER DRAGON HATCHER, and
JENNIFER MURDLEY'S TOAD.  (Coville is probably better known for his series of
children's science fiction novels that started with MY TEACHER IS AN ALIEN.)

Two other fantasy authors I highly recommend are Diana Wynne Jones (a wide
variety of novels), and Diane Duane (the series SO YOU WANT TO BE A WIZARD?,
DEEP WIZARDRY, and HIGH WIZARDRY).

-- Andrew

    
    Ursula LeGuin (anything, probably, but especially the EarthSea Trilogy)
    C.S. Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia
    Madeleine L'Engle (quite a few books Not Just For Children)
    Jane Yolen (lots)
    Sheri Tepper (the King's Game(?)/Maven/Jinian books)
    Robert Asprin, Myth books (the earlier, the better, mostly)
    
    second all of these:
    early Heinlein (but I liked SiaSL when I was a teenager ;-)
    Asimov (especially the seminal robot stories, and Foundation)
    Brin (unless my memory's been purged too)
    Niven (mostly OK too)
    Pohl's Gateway etc are good, but I remember some not-too-graphic sex
    David Palmer, Emergence
    
    Also possibly interesting: Elfquest (the graphic novels by Wendy and
    Richard Pini)  There is violence, and there is sex (visually always R),
    but *none* of either is remotely gratuitous.  (So if you do let her at
    it, be prepared.)
    
    I'd also like to anti-recommend Piers Anthony (because he's too rich
    already, and he keeps rewriting the same book), but she might like the
    Xanth books.  I liked the early ones once.
    
    All MHO, of course.
    Mark

Hi Ruth, I loved the Darkover series. Forbidden Tower is the only one that may
be a little too explict for her. But then, I read Tropic of Cancer as a 12 year
old so my idea of acceptable may differ from yours.

As a kid I loved the anthologies. I think they still collect the best stories of
the year and publish them together. I used to get mine from the library. A fresh
stock each week. Also, try Poor Richard's for used SF. They have a large
selection. 

The Asimov robot short stories are great. And my nephew absolutely loves Terry
Prachet (sp?) They are full of puns and jokes that kids love. liesl

    Anne McCaffrey's books might do; the Pern series, "The Ship Who Sang,"
    sundry short-story collections. [The Harper Hall series of Pern books
    is, I believe, aimed towards younger readers, and might be a good place
    to start.] These are generally closer to fantasy than science fiction,
    but if she's starting with "The Hobbit" I don't think that'll bother
    her much. ;-)
    
    -b

    .1 mentioned Schmitz's Telzy stories.  To this I would add his "Witches
    of Karres," if you can find it.  The heroine is a psionically trained
    girl slightly older than 10; the hero is a spaceship pilot.
    
    Earl Wajenberg

    
    Did Patricia K. McKillip to "the riddle master of hed" series?  I liked
    those.

    I recall "King David's Spaceship" as possibly being of interest to
    young readers.
    
    len.
     

    There is a series of book "Tom Swift Jr" I will have to find the author
    it is a science fiction version of Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew.
                                Jeff Peters

    Re .8:
    
    Yes, McKillip wrote "The Riddle of the Stars" trilogy, composed of:
    	The Riddlemaster of Hed
    	Heir of Sea and Fire
    	A Harpist in the Wind
    
    She also wrote "The Forgotten Beasts of Eld" and "The Changeling Sea,"
    very much in the same vein of fantasy, if not in the very same world.
    Also others that do not come to my mind at the moment.
    
    Earl Wajenberg

I'd like to second the suggestion of Heinlein's juvenile series (RED PLANET,
TUNNEL IN THE SKY, THE ROLLING STONES, ...) over his more adult fare (STRANGER
IN A STRANGE LAND, THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST).  In many of his juvenile books,
the protagonist is a young teen and the story is either told from their point
of view or they play a pivotal role.

Anne McCaffrey's DECISION AT DOONA also focuses on the youngsters showing the
way for the adults.

Wholesome (but not bland) storytelling, kind of like THE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE
(ALIEN) PRAIRIE

    The Narnia books would be my first recommendation. 
    
    I didn't start reading SF until I was about 11, but James Blish
    (Welcome to Mars, Cities in Flight), Heinlein (Citizen of the Galaxy),
    and Asimov (Robot and Foundation stories) where among my early
    favourites. Others not prevously mentioned include John Wyndham
    (anything) and the first three Dr. Who books (Daleks, Zarbi,
    Crusaders).
    
    Peter
    

    I'd like to recommend Jules Verne (20,000 Leagues, The Mysterious
    Island) and H.G.Wells (Time Machine, War of the Worlds).
    
    Those books are great stories and the content doesn't require
    college degrees in sociology, political science, or physics.
    I read them when I was in the 12-13 year-old range.
    _Marty

    Has everyone forgotten about Lloyd Alexander and his remarkable books
    founded in Welsh Mythology?  Some of the names I recall are The Black
    Cauldron, Taran Wanderer.  The Chief character of the books is a
    boy/man named Taran who begins as an assistant pig keeper to a
    prophetic pig named Hen-Wen.  He serves in the household of a crochety
    old wizard, and a balding, aging senior pig-keeper and retired hero
    named Col.  Taran is infatuated with the young lady who serves as the
    household scullery-maid but who is immensely noble both of birth and
    character.  Other important and highly entertaining characters are
    Gurgi, a sort of aboriginal type witha heart of pure platinum,
    Fflewfyddr Fflam, a wandering bard, the truth of whose tales concerning
    himself is questionable to the point that his teacher made a gift to
    him of a harp that breaks strings when he stretches the truth.  FFlam
    is also graced/cursed with the familiarity of a huge fluffy cat that
    fell in love with his music and won't leave him alone.  Above all is
    the hero Gwydion, who bears the black sword Drynnwyn and who is
    dedicated to a never ending battle with Arawn-Death-lord and his
    legions of deathless warriors reborn in the Cauldron of Rebirth.  These
    stories are about people trying to grow and rise above their birth and
    station in a world filled with perils.  I have not read these books in
    a very long time, but I remember them well and recommend them highly to
    young people for whom they were written.  These are award winning books
    that should be available at the local library and are also a lovely
    introduction into the world of Celtic mythology, legend and culture. 
    If your daughter loves these then, when she gets older, you might think
    to introduce her to the books of Patricia Kenneally, although these
    last have much more adult themes.  
    
    The Lord of the Rings may be a little difficult for your daughter at 
    this time, but could be good in the near future. I was not ready for it
    until I was eleven or twelve, but after than I ate it up on a yearly
    basis.  
    
    Good reading,
    
    Andrew

First book, is "The Book of Three"


				/Brad

    Can I say that I would recommend *thin* books?  These would usually
    tend to be older and better written.  An older, thinner book will have
    as much story and plot and excitement without wading through so much
    filler.  It won't, however, keep doors open...
    
    Needless to say, all generalizations are suspect, including this one
    (especially this one).
    
    Richard
    

    
    	I seem to recall reading some books about a little old lady called
    Mrs. or Miss Pickerel (sp?) does this or goes here or there. I believe
    one of the books was called Miss Pickerel goes to the Moon, and another
    called Miss Pickerel goes to Mars. I can't remember if I was 10 years
    old or younger  but I do remember I liked them.
    
    				Jim

    re .15 - The series is called the Prydain Chronicles and comprises
    five volumes.
    
    I heard talk of The Black Cauldron being done as a Disney animation,
    but haven't seen or heard of any actual completion.  Anybody know
    anything about this?
    
    Anyway, highly recommended, though not really "science fiction".  In
    the same (Welsh) vein, Evangeline Walton's trilogy is also highly
    recommended.
    
    len.
    

    Len,
    
    Yes, "The Black Cauldron" was done as a Disney animation; it was
    faithless to the book and hence awful.
    
    I second the comments for the Heinlein juveniles (including _Rite_of_
    _Passage_ by Alexei Panshin), just-about-anything by Andre Norton
    (I especially remember _Witch_World_, _The_Time_Traders_, and
    _Daybreak:_2245_ [The city is Cleveland.]), Diana Wynne Jones (try
    _Howl's_Moving_Castle_), Anne McCaffrey (especially the Harper Hall
    books) and I'll add Robin McKinley's _The_Hero_and_the_Crown_, and
    _The_Blue_Sword_.
    
    It's very hard to find good books for young girls; so many of the
    best stories have a boy as a protagonist.
    
    							Ann B.

    RE: Mrs. Pickerel  (I'm not sure on the spelling either).
    
    There was a whole series of books about her adventures:  goes to the
    Moon, goes to Mars, Mrs. Pickerel & the Geiger Counter.  Some of these
    books may still be at my parents, I'll see if I can find out the
    name of the author.
    
    There was also a series of books about Danny Dunn, who I think was
    right around junior high school age.  He also got involved with various
    science related topics (DD & the homework machine, DD & the
    anti-gravity paint, DD & the message from space).  I'll check out the
    author of that series, too.  I vaguely recall there is another note
    in this conference that mentions that series.
    
    I enjoyed reading both series when I was a kid.
    
    John

    Peter Dickenson does good fantasy-with-bits-of-science for young
    adults as well as creepy mysteries for adults.
    
    "The Blue Hawk" is my favorite of his juveniles.
    
    		-John Bishop

    Re .19:
    
    I think Evangeline Walton's series is a tetralogy, at least if it's the
    one I'm thinking of, to wit:
    
    	Prince of Annwn
    	Children of Llyr
    	Rhiannon's Song (or Song of Rhiannon?)
    	Island of the Mighty
    
    These are based on the Four Branches of the Mabinogion, a cycle of
    Welsh mythology.  Walton de-Christianizes it and extrapolates backward
    to a Pictish/Celtic Wales with plenty of magic and plenty of sex, which
    might be of some concern to a parent selecting reading for a child.
    The sex is not very explicit, but it is also very hard to ignore.
    
    Re .20, female child protagonists:
    
    I dunno, I can rattle off a fair number of good fantasies with girl
    protagonists.  One who should not be neglected is Blossom Culp,
    a 12-year-old psychic in Illinois of 1912.  She is the creation of
    Richard Peck and appears in:
    
    	The Ghost Belonged to Me (where she is only a supporting role)
    	Ghosts I Have Been
    	The Dreadful Future of Blossom Culp
    	Blossom Culp and the Mummy's Curse (I think)
    
    Blossom is the protagonist and narrator of the last three, having
    clearly taken over the series from Alexander Armsworth, the narrator of
    the first book.
    
    Earl Wajenberg

    Female (young) heroines (excuse the tautology)
    
    Chris Claremont
    
    	First Flight
    	Grounded
    
    Mercedes Lackey
    
    	Arrows of the Queen
    	Arrows Flight
    
    Melissa Scott (? - can't remember/something like)
    
    	Five Twelths of Heaven
    	Silence in Solitude
    	Empress of Earth
    
    Also - if you can find them (and if I've remembered half-accurately) -
    somebody Foster
    
    	The Game Players of Xan
    	The Children of Lir
    
    
    Richard
    

    
    Madeleine L'Engle's "A wrinkle in time" and "a wind in the door"....
    
    -Jody
    

What about "Podkayne of Mars", by Robert Heinlein?

Nick.

    The "Mushroom Planet" books by, I think, Eleanor Cameron.

    Does anyone remember the KEMLO (spelling?) series of books?
    I read them when I was around 9 or 10 years old.
    
    The stories were based around children born on space stations.
    Each child had a name that started with the registration letter
    of the space station they lived on, e.g. "K"
    
    regards,
    
    Mike B.
    

    Correction to .24:
    
    M A Foster
    
    	The Game Players of Zan
    	The Warriors of Dawn
    
    These are both terrific books.  I can't recommend them too highly.
    
    Richard
    

    
    re: .0
    
    My ten year old daughter is a Star Wars fanatic, so she chose and read
    the Timothy Zahn Star Wars series "heir to the Empire" etc.
    
    She alos enjoyed Terry Pratchett's Equal Rites.  I'm noth sure about
    the rest though.  I may let her read others after review.
    
    She also loves the ElfQuest series, but that's more pictures than
    reading.
    
    I thought she might like Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper and Piers
    Anthony's Xanth series, but she hasn't tried them yet.
    
    I would not recommend the Tom Swift series though.  And I'd use some
    caution on the Mars series by Burroughs. ne of the later books in the
    series is a bit weird as I recall, and Master Mind is questionable too.
    
    On more book, though not SF, that see like was the Thinking Machine,
    but I don't have the author handy.
    
    Please let us know what you find, as I certainly share your interest.
    
    							thanks, /alan
    

    Not strictly sci-fi, but worth reading:
    
    Mary Stewart's retelling of the Arthurian legend
    
    	The Crystal Cave
    	The Hollow Hills
    	The Last Enchantment
    
    ...a lot better written than most mainstream fantasy as well.
    
    Richard
    

    The first three books of Stewart's retelling follow the Arthurian
    Legend from the point of view of Merlin, rather than Arthur.  
    
    There is a fourth volume that focuses (I believe) on Mordred. 
    Naturally, I've forgotten its title.
    
    					andrew

    For someone who's still exploring, short story collections are good. 
    Of course, they tend to be collected by author, but most authors have a
    fair bit of range.  Asimov, Zelazny, Clarke, Herbert -- I've got them
    all on my bookshelves.

    Re .32:
    
    The name of Stewart's Mordred book is "The Wicked Day."
    
    Earl Wajenberg

    Re Chelsea's idea of short story collections, I remember running though
    tons of these as a pre-teen--especially the Analog collections.
    This way if they find a short story they really like, they can then go 
    zero in on the author and try one of their novels...
    
    -randy

    re: .0
    
    Someone earlier recommended the Mars series by Burroughs, and I've
    looked over "A Princess of Mars" again.  So far so good, or better. 
    The use of English in it is fantastic.  The vocabulary is much more
    extensive than most of the current books I've read lately ( books by
    Brin excepted ).  For example -
    	Very early in the book, John Carter is being persued by Apaches,
        who are shooting and shouting at him... " The fact that it is
        difficult to aim anything but imprications acccurately by moonlight ...
        saved me ... ."
    
    Other, randomly chosen words - phenomena, pilloried, privations,
    unshod, fetich, debouched ( came out upon ), promontory, resusciation,
    reconnoiter, pungent, faculties,wraith,  cariatures, intermediary,
    accouterments.
    
    So far, I'd recommend "A Princess of Mars" from bot the aspect of a
    good story and great use of english.
    
    							/alan
    

    Uhh, if the spelling is *that* bad.....  8*)
    
    Must have a quick re-read - it's been years.....
    
    Richard
    

    
    Not sure they can be classed as SF, but there are several historical
    fiction books by L. Sprague de Camp I'd like to recommend. Most of the
    are about various Mediterranean civilizations in the first millenium
    BC. 
    
    The one that sticks in my mind is "An Elephant for Aristotle." 
    Leonidas is an NCO in Alexander's army in India (at about the
    high-water mark of Alexander's conquest). He is given the task of
    taking an elephant to Alexander's former tutor back in Greece (some
    2000 miles over very rough/uncivilized country).
    
    There were several others whose titles escape me and I don't think I
    ever saw an exhaustive list. I'd sure love to get the complete set.
    
    JP
    

    
    I meant to add that these books were written for about the same
    audience as Heinlein juveniles.
    
    JP

    Re .38:
    
    Besides "An Elephant for Aristotle," de Camp's historical fiction
    includes "The Arrows of Hercules" and "The Golden Wind."  There's at
    least one more but I can't recall its title.
    
    Earl Wajenberg

    There's also one about building the Colossus at Rhodes, which
    I have but don't remember the title of.
    Highly recommended!
    
    		-John Bishop

    Someone already mentioned Andre Norton's books, but I remember
    two of the titles I read at 11-12 years old:
      Galactic Derelict
      Cats Eye
    
    The things I liked best back then about Norton's books were that
    the protagonists often had animals with whom they could communicate.
    This mysterious ability fascinated me.
    I read more of her books (The Time Traders, Year of the Unicorn)
    as a freshman in high school.

jeez, i must be getting old, but for great old fashioned star wars pulp, how 
can you leave out asimov's lucky star novels? lot's of action, mystery, and 
great science with a hunky hero. written under pseudonym of paul french. first 
sf i ever read, and to my pre-teenage memory, the best.

kirby

Re .44

The Lucky Starr novels by Asimov have just been rereleased in three paperback
volumes, each volume containing two novels, by Bantam Spectra.  They can be
found in the sf section.  These reissues are credited to Asimov, not to the
Paul French pseudonym he originally used.  (The pseudonym may be acknowledged
in small print on the front covers, but the books will be filed under Asimov.)

-- Andrew

    well hello!!
    
    it seems you recieved a large resonse well here's my 2 cents:
    
    Piers Anthony Xanth series(alto someone commented on this about the 
                               author having to much money. well just let
                               that show you that his work is enjoyed by
                               lots and is good reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
    Ann Mcaferty(spelling is probailty incorrect as my spelling leaves much 
                 to be desired.)
    
                  well any way the Dragon Rides of Pern series (VERY GOOD!)
    
    
    
                                 ENJOY  TRAVIS 

    >>I'd like to collect some recommendations for science fiction books 
    >>for a very bright ten-year old girl.  She has already read _The_Hobbit_
    >>and reads at a high school level.
    
    
    I would certainly recommend Andre Norton's early works.  They were a
    favorite of mine in my early teens. She has a flowing style and
    incorporates children as main characters, some of her stuff borders on
    Fantasy while other stories are pure SF.
    
    BTW, Beastmaster (yes, the movie was "based" [however lightly] on this
    story) is a good read. The story is fun and the animal interaction with
    the main character will keep a young readers interest.
    
    I'm 33 and I still pick up a few of her books now and again even though
    I don't consider her stories "adult", I like the way she keeps a reader
    interested in the story line.
    
    There were a couple of books whos storyline I remeber very well, but
    I cannot remember the titles. I would suggest looking in used
    bookstores, it is unlikely that much of her work 15-20 years ago is in
    reprint.  Some of the more notable works were not big sellers.

    Re: .40
    
    "The Dragon of the Ishtar Gate" - good read about a search for the
    source of the Nile in the time of pre-Alexander Persia.

My goodness, if she's read _The Hobbit_, then she's got to read _The Lord of 
the Rings_ trilogy! Get her a boxed paperback set. Get her a copy of _The 
Silmarillion_ while you're at it.

Wook

    If you're still looking (and who isn't on a never-ending quest for good
    books, sf or otherwise!)  I would HIGHLY recommend the 5-book series
    "The Dark is Rising" by Susan Cooper.  I still go back and read
    these!!!
    
    1)  Over Sea, Under Stone
    2)  The Dark is Rising
    3)  Greenwitch
    4)  The Grey King
    5)  Silver on the Tree
    
    An excellent story of the earthly battle of supernatural forces, the
    LIght and the Dark.  Ties in with ancient English myth, Welsh myth, and
    King Arthur.  I can almost guarantee she will love these books!
    
    Regards,
    
    Tricia

    The Grey King won either a Newberry or a Caldecott.  I liked them all.

    Would a 42-year-old (with the heart of a 10-year-old) like 'em too?
    
    					andrew

    I would place my bets on a sure "yes"!  The characters are vivid and
    very realistic.  As a child, I would often imagine "what if this were
    real and I was a part of it..."  I'm 27 and and love them as much,
    (more?) than ever.
    
    Regards,
    
    Tricia
    
    p.s.  Book 2 and Book 4 both wn Newbury Awards.
    

Re .53

>    p.s.  Book 2 and Book 4 both wn Newbury Awards.
    
THE DARK IS RISING was a Newbery Honor Book.
THE GREY KING won the Newbery Medal.

I thought this was an excellent series, up to but not including
the last few pages of the fifth book.  At that point, I had to
suppress a desire to hurl SILVER ON THE TREE against a wall.
Your mileage may vary.

-- Andrew

    Andrew-
    
    Wherefore comes your displeasure with the final pages?  The whole
    ending in general?  Sorry it ended?  Bran's decision?  The "amnesia" of
    those from the Track?  
    
    Please elucidate, I'm curious.
    
    Tricia
    

    And please, try not to spoil the entire five books for those of us who
    haven't yet read them!
    
    						andrew

Tricia,

The "amnesia" is the primary source of my displeasure.  It vitiates 
Bran's decision and the reasons he made it, and effectively destroys 
a great deal of growth on the part of the children over the course of 
the books.  (I didn't mind at all Merriman's eventual fate or that
of his companions.)

Unfortunately, the Light is shown to be ultimately as manipulative
and uncaring as its counterparts, which is effectively saying that
the ends justify the means.  I don't like the message, and I don't
like the "amnesia" -- the latter even more because it's so damn 
unnecessary, and both are so wrong.  (Although it is a potent warning
that "good" isn't always so.)

Sorry for the delay in posting; I haven't been in this notesfile
for a couple of weeks.

-- Andrew

    Re .57:
    
    Seconded, and thank you for putting into words what I had only
    obscurely felt before.  It gives the whole series a very poor ending.
    
    Earl Wajenberg