Over at Educating Alice today, I saw that she had compiled a list of middle grade science fiction titles, and asked for suggestions for others. This inspired me to go through all 1994 posts that I have written and pull out all the middle grade science fiction books I've reviewed....
And now they have their own page.
As usual, I was left wondering why there aren't more sci fi books being written/published for kids. Specifically, why aren't there more sci fi books about robots for 10 year olds? Why isn't there more cryptozoology?
And, also as usual, I am left pondering the fuzzy nature of the boundary between sci fi and fantasy. For instance, I've never understood why A Wrinkle in Time is considered sci fi, or time travel, by so many other readers (that being said, I just parsed my feelings in a comment below, and conclude that since they are traveling to alien planets and meeting aliens, it is clearly sci fi! though it will always feel like fantasy to me...) Likewise, there are probably books on my list that others would say weren't sci fi at all! So much easier, but perhaps less helpful, to use the catch-all term of Speculative Fiction.
Why do you wonder about A Wrinkle in Time being termed sci-fi? That one seems set to me. However, Cosmic seems more problematic to me. I debated adding it to my list (as I adore it), but it just doesn't feel sci-fi to me at all. I realize that if I took the definition literally it is, but it just doesn't have that feel! Seeing your list makes me realize that I left a few out on mine.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess it's because the Angelic beings being the prime movers of the story seems more like fantasy to me...And I guess when I read it, at a rather young age, I didn't focus on the fact that they were actually travelling to other planets. And finally, I guess I liked Wrinkle in Time lots, and didn't like hard sci fi, so this had to be a fantasy journey, rather than a literal space time journey! But having to actually explain myself has made me admit that really it is sci fi. Even though it will never quite feel that way.
DeleteNow Cosmic does feel that way--although it is possible for everything to happen as described, and though there is nothing unrealistic in the narrative sequence taken step by step, it is so improbable as a whole that I count it!
I think time travel is science fiction, but a lot of people have a stricter sense of science fiction. They say the science has to be actually valid. With that, they say since time travel is scientifically impossible, it's fantasy. These people also say Star Trek is fantasy. I discovered this when I went to a couple of science fiction conventions. I dunno, I have less rigid rules for science fiction - if it sounds like it could be scientific, it's science fiction to me.
ReplyDeleteFor something to be science fiction for me, I think there can't be anything paranormal, or magical, to it at all...so time travel by technology is fine, but not by amulet. Even though both might be equelly impossible.
DeleteSo now I am back to thinking of Wrinkle in Time as not sci fi, because even if there are alien planets, there is still a huge part of the story that is paranormal...and the travel through space is via thought, rather than technology.
Good thoughts on WiT....you know I think I am with you on it being more fantasy than sci fic. Of course, I need to read it again to be sure sure. Man, I love that book. Looking forward to checking your list out. This blog just gets better and better!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks!
DeleteI am reading the WIT graphic novel right now-asking myself what genre it is now that I am being compelled to Look at it, rather than just loose myself in the words....