Why am I passionate about this?
Iāve always been interested in worlds other than ours, primarily extraterrestrial worlds because I believe expansion into space is vital to the future survival of humankind, but also fantasy worlds that illuminate ideas and feelings that are universal. Iāve written the Newbery Honor book Enchantress from the Stars and ten other science fiction novels, a classification that limits their discovery because they're often liked better by people who read little if any science fiction than by avid fans of that genre. Because theyāre set in imaginary worlds distant from Earthāand are not fantasy because they contain no mythical creatures or magicāthere is nothing else to call them. I wish books didnāt have to be labeled with categories!
Sylvia's book list on YA about imaginary worlds
Why did Sylvia love this book?
All of Robert Heinlein's YA novels are good (better, in my opinion, than his adult novels), but this one has special meaning for me because it was the first book I ever read about colonizing an uninhabited world. At the time it was published in 1950 I was sixteen and had been enthusiastic about the possibility of space travel for four years, since long before the general public was familiar with it; but all the space fiction I knew of was about mere adventure, usually adventure focused on fighting. The idea that families could someday settle a new planet--and, despite danger and hardship, accomplish something of immense importance to the future of humankind--made a strong impression on me and became one of my deepest convictions.
1 author picked Farmer in the Sky as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
Farmer in the Sky