Young Adult Science Fiction
Book Details
Reading Info
About This Book
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 cultur
Our Review
This insightful exploration traces the origins of young adult science fiction to the late 19th century, when a burgeoning fascination with electricity and machinery among American youth created a new literary market. The book details how authors and publishers consciously crafted technological adventures specifically for this young adult audience, establishing a genre that would captivate readers for generations. It compellingly argues that this early science fiction was not merely derivative but a distinct and purposeful form of storytelling designed to engage adolescent minds.
Sullivan's work is particularly valuable for its recovery of a critically neglected genre, demonstrating how these early stories held both practical and cultural significance for their original readers. Teen readers with a passion for the history of technology and its speculative futures will find a fascinating prehistory to their favorite contemporary novels. By illuminating the roots of young adult science fiction, this study provides a crucial context for understanding its enduring power and appeal.
Themes
Subjects
Looking for more books?
Visit our sister site BooksbyOrder.com