I am not a complete fan of science fiction, but I did enjoy learning more about it, especially its history and its applications for different age groups. I had never thought of sci-fi picture books, but it seems to make sense that stories of many different subjects and genres are created for a variety of age groups. Also, the authors' love for science fiction books comes through in their descriptions of works that gave them inspiration to create new out-of-this-world stories.

Betsy Bird, Youth Materials Specialist at NYPL, hosted the panel. Stephanie Whelan is a children's librarian at the Seward Park branch and author of the science fiction blog, Views from the Tesseract. Jason Fry is an author of more than thirty books and essays. Andrew Harwell is an editor and author of science fiction for children. This event, as always, was held at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.

History of Science Fiction

Bird began the discussion by asking Whelan to describe the history of the genre and current trends.

Whelan mentioned that there was no age separation for science fiction work prior to 1900. In 1910, a series called Tom Swift, which featured a boy and his motorcycle, began. Tom had a video phone and an electric rifle, which was the precursor of the TASER (Tom A. Swift Electric Rifle). This series was the front runner of other writing that occurred in the 1930s and 1940s by Isaac Asimov and others. In the 1950s, sci-fi authors began to speculate about space. This market was exploded following the 1969 landing of man on the moon. In the 1970s and 1980s, science fiction for kids became common. During this time period, everyone was excited about the future, space exploration, and cloning. After this period, science fiction began dwindling.

What They Read

Bird inquired as to how each of the panelists discovered science fiction. She wondered if they read science fiction when they were children.

Fry loved Star Wars, and he started playing Dungeons and Dragons in sixth grade. He read much adult science fiction by authors like Lloyd Alexander. He never noticed the difference between science fiction and fantasy. He was fascinated by City Underground by Suzanne Martel, which his mother tracked down at The Corner Bookstore from an excerpt that he read.

Harwell read Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth, then Star Wars, Dungeons and Dragons, and Ender's Game. He has read across a variety of genres, and now he is fortunate to be able to edit across many genres.

Whelan is a big reader. As a child, she loved her public library card. She looked for the sci-fi stickers on the books, made a pile, and brought them home. She is fascinated by artificially intelligent robots, and she is also interested in space.

Bird stated that science fiction is coming back in a dystopian way (e.g. The Hunger Games). She was told that there is no science fiction market for elementary or middle grade readers. She asked the panelists if they have encountered any resistance to reading or publishing science fiction.

Fry classifies Star Wars as science fiction. He picks and chooses what he likes. He is the author of The Jupiter Pirates, which is a 29th Century story in which a family of characters work together to deal with an undeclared war.

Harwell has not encountered resistance to publishing sci-fi. On the contrary, his publishers like sci-fi in the younger grades because there is a dearth of such material in the market. It is not what his publishers expect, but they are quite positive. They like to bring new material to the market.

Whelan commented that Ray Bradbury described science fiction as "the art of the possible, never the impossible."

Girls in Sci-Fi 

Bird has seen girls represented in dystopian science fiction, but she wondered where else girls appear in sci-fi. She also asked the panelists to discuss multicultural representation in sci-fi.

Whelan said that fighting to get girls in is a challenge. New writers for adults tend to have the notion that sci-fi for kids is for boys. Books that are labeled sci-fi are perceived as being for boys. 

Bird recounted that kids do come in to the public library reluctantly announcing that they have to read a sci-fi book for school. The rumor is that the next Disney princess will be Princess Leia. Disney owns Star Wars. None of the panelists had mentioned Star Trek. She wanted to know if any of the panelists were influenced by Star Trek.

Whelan enjoyedliked watching Star Trek in the past. However, now it is painful for her to watch since it has changed, and not for the better, in her opinion. 

Fry announced that he is missing the Star Trek gene. However, he tries to watch an episode about once every three years, but he can never get into it.

Awards 

Bird broached the subject of how quality science fiction for kids gets recognized. The two major awards are the Newbery Medal and the Caldecott Medal, and other awards have a juvenile component. She wondered if the panelists were award of any science fiction awards.

Whelan mentioned that the Hugo Award has a young adult component. The Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy for kids is granted in Canada.

The Crystal Ball

Bird asked where science fiction is going in the future. Currently, there is a huge push for more Star Wars, animated series, and new movies for kids.

Harwell sees diversity gaining ground in science fiction in the future. He edited Zita the Spacegirl, a graphic novel for kids that was published in 2011.

Whelan emphasized that the United States is not the only country that publishes works of science fiction. China and Africa will likely produce more science fiction. Unfortunately, there is a misconception that black people do not like sci-fi. 

Whelan said that there are many possibilities out there and dreams to be had. 

Audience Questions

Bird asked if audience members had any questions.

One person stated that many science fiction books are written by women who had to use their initials due to publishers' hostility towards women authors. Many girls read sci-fi and comic books, although they can be told that these books are not for them. The Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art is a good resource in New York City. 

Bird mentioned that there are some graphic novels series that are geared towards girls such as Pippi, Nancy Drew, etc.

Whelan told us that sci-fi picture books also exist. They use names like Interstellar Cinderella to entice kids to try the genre.

A school librarian noticed that there is a dismissive attitude towards science fiction in American society.

Whelan pointed out that some things in regular fiction books are not in the realm of experience that kids are used to. One of the great things about fiction is that it inspires readers to use their imaginations, and science fiction merely requires a bit more imagination.

Another audience member found the panel discussion inspiring. She inquired as to whether Harper Collins Publishers accepts unsolicited submissions.

Harwell stated that Harper Collins does not. However, it accepts submissions from agents, and many agents are open to science fiction.

Someone else asked if it is difficult to define science fiction for kids.

Fry's favorite author is Arthur C. Clarke. 

Whelan said that The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm was published in 2014. In the book, the grandfather experiments on himself, and the story centers on his relationship with his granddaughter.

Thanks to the panelists and Betsy Bird for elucidating the subject of science fiction for children.

Upcoming Children's Literary Salons

Collaborating Couples
February 7 at 2 pm
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
South Court

• Jason Fry's books
• Andrew Harwell's books
• books about children's science fiction
• Publishers Weekly article on this lit salon