The Inter-Galactic Playground: A Critical Study of Children’s and Teens’ Science Fiction (Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy)

Science fiction is often considered the genre of ideas and imagination, which would seem to make it ideal for juveniles and young adults; however, the ideas are often dispensed by adults. This book considers the development of science fiction for children and teens between 1950 and 2010, exploring why it differs from science fiction aimed at adults. In a broader sense, this critical examination of 400 texts sheds light on changing attitudes toward children and teenagers, toward science education, and toward the authors’ expectations and sociological views of their audience.