The Young Oxford Book of Aliens [Paperback]

Dennis Pepper (Editor)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Series: Young Oxford Book

This collection brings together a range of stories about aliens and our encounters with them. The stories don't necessarily portray aliens as hostile invaders. On the contrary, there are many stories that explore the interaction between aliens and humans, and other stories in which humans are themselves the aliens. Some of the stories have been specially written for this collection by writers such as Sue Welford. Others are by the best of sci-fi writers including Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, and Harry Harrison.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Ready to meet the aliens? This collection of bug-eyed monster stories will introduce you to extraterrestrials both nasty and nice, ugly and elegant. Some of the world's best science fiction writers are represented--you'll find contributions from Arthur C. Clarke, Avram Davidson, Philip K. Dick, Harry Harrison, and A.E. van Vogt, among others. If you think all aliens are frail little green men with big eyes and bald heads, think again. Some of the fantastic creatures in these stories are hideous beasts, some are hypnotically fascinating, and some you can't see at all. But every alien in the book can teach you something about what it means to be human. As editor Dennis Pepper writes in his introduction, "Aliens, however they may be presented, are aspects of ourselves."

This collection is designed for young adults, with beautifully detailed line-drawing illustrations throughout, but any fan of little green men (and big gray ones, and creepy ugly ones) will enjoy this topnotch collection. (Ages 9 to 12) --Therese Littleton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 5^-10. Science fiction and fantasy fans will delight in this collection of well-crafted stories. Notable authors, classic and current, introduce readers to aliens who are kind, pitiful, malevolent, intelligent, and chillingly human-like and to worlds where sometimes humans are the aliens. In A. E. van Vogt's 1949 tale "Dear Pen Pal," interplanetary long-distance friendships have rewards as well as risks. Nicholas Stuart Gray's poignant "The Star Beast" exemplifies the tragedy of prejudice based on appearances. In Sue Welford's "Star Daughter," a teen lives in a world depleted of natural resources and human kindness, where alien intervention is the only hope. From humorous and ironic to creepy-crawly and gruesome, the stories offer unusual perspectives on the human experience, making for an entertaining and thought-provoking read. Whether set in the past, the future, on Earth, or some faraway planet, the diverse, quality collection testifies to the strength of imagination, where words, not special effects, have the power to transport and amaze. Shelle Rosenfeld --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192781774
• ISBN-13: 978-0192781772
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,183,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A good collection., January 19, 2012

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Macabre - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Young Oxford Book of Aliens (Paperback)

Overall I liked this short story collection. Most of the stories are clever and well written.

There are a couple of stories that consist of their authors getting up on a soap box and whining about how horrible the human race is, but for the most part the stories range from decent to excellent.