#44 – The Children’s Sci-Fi Renaissance

S2E25: Lisa Yaszek Interview A Reader's History of Science Fiction

In the series finale, I interview Dr. Lisa Yaszek, a sci-fi historian from Georgia Tech, about where we can expect science fiction to go in the future. Dr. Yaszek's recommendations: Wormwood Trilogy by Tade Thompson The Matrix Sunspot Jungle, ed. Bill Campbell Other works discussed: Binti Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor "The Sixth World" by Nanobah Becker The Stars are Legion by Kameron Hurley The Universe of Xuya series by Aliette de Bodard Unstoppable series by Charlie Jane Anders
  1. S2E25: Lisa Yaszek Interview
  2. S2E24: Catch-Up Episode #9: Classics Lightning Round
  3. S2E23: Space Opera
  4. S2E22: Catch-Up Episode #8: Space Sci-Fi
  5. S2E21: Donna Barba Higuera Interview

Children’s science fiction was pretty sparse historically, but it began to take off in the 1990s. In this episode, we explore how sci-fi for kids has changed and expanded over the most recent generation.

Book recommendations:
Middle grade (ages 8-12): Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
Chapter books (ages 6-10): Aliens for Breakfast by Stephanie Spinner and Jonathan Etra
Picture books: How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk

Farah Mendelsohn on children’s sci-fi.
1984 NYTimes article on book fairs.
Frankie Thomas on Animorphs.
K. A. Applegate on reposting her books.

Other books discussed:
My Teacher Is an Alien by Bruce Coville
Animorphs by K. A. Applegate
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

Check out this episode!

About Alex R. Howe

I'm a full-time astrophysicist and a part-time science fiction writer.
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