Children's Literature
Author John Whitman takes the reader on an incredible journey in this collection of science fiction short stories. With wonderfully imaginative characters, Whitman is able to quickly draw the reader into these distant worlds and futuristic times. Using the state of our times or current scientific discoveries, Whitman looks to the future. His excellent use of detail helps to quickly form the story's premise while not bogging the reader down or creating too much of a picture, that it would prevent the reader's imagination from taking off. This book is an excellent read for all, but especially for weak or reluctant readers. Although there are no illustrations, Whitman stories will spark imaginations and allow readers to create their own pictures. 2000, NTC/Contemporary Publishing, $5.95. Ages 10 to 16. Reviewer: John D. Orsborn

KLIATT
This entertaining series of SF stories should attract most younger YA readers. The tales are short but have good plots, transporting the reader to futuristic settings and featuring spaceships, robots, and enemies from other galaxies. In the first of these stories the similarity to Star Wars is apparent, as the teenage hero embarks on an attention-grabbing adventure. In two of the stories, "Y3K" and "Flight," the parallels to our own society are eerie. The main characters in the stories are all young, and the author's simple yet direct style of writing should appeal to YAs because it is at their level of vocabulary; yet these stories should make them think about what the future could be like. The plots are very different, but they all hold the reader's attention. They are thoroughly enjoyable.