Helpful Score: 2
This is one of the very best books to introduce young readers to the "world" of Science Fiction. Full of humor, whit, and a tendency to poke fun at the entertainment establishment, this book encourages an auntrepenurial spirit and creativity of thought that is always to be encouraged in youth.
The Stone family repeatedly make lemonaide out of lemons as they support one another on their family adventure.
...And I don't think I have laughed so hard in a long time than I did over the Martian "Flat Cats." (Now I know where Star Trek got "Tribbles.")
The Stone family repeatedly make lemonaide out of lemons as they support one another on their family adventure.
...And I don't think I have laughed so hard in a long time than I did over the Martian "Flat Cats." (Now I know where Star Trek got "Tribbles.")
Helpful Score: 1
Always have and always will applaud the early Heinlein. Not crazy about the later ones, but the early ones are the stuff that makes sci fi so much fun...
Rolling Stones is an enjoyable, imaginative story, and I still enjoy how well he crafted his tales.
Suzy P.
Rolling Stones is an enjoyable, imaginative story, and I still enjoy how well he crafted his tales.
Suzy P.
Origionally written in the 1950's as one of Heinlein's "boys in space" books for Scibners, this is a delightful read that is amazingly un-dated despite the changes in technology since it was writen. (The only clear reference to it's age is several referances to the twin's slide-rules.)
Filled with great humor, jibes about the inanity of cerial television (a timeless observation) and a truely fun family dynamic throught, this is one of the BEST books to introduce young readers to the Science Fiction genre, with all the space travel and extra-vehicular activity, without the deaper philosophical stuff that draws older readers.
...And the origional idea behind Gene Rodenberry's "Tribbles" are embodied in the Stone Family's experience with Martian "Flat Cats."
Filled with great humor, jibes about the inanity of cerial television (a timeless observation) and a truely fun family dynamic throught, this is one of the BEST books to introduce young readers to the Science Fiction genre, with all the space travel and extra-vehicular activity, without the deaper philosophical stuff that draws older readers.
...And the origional idea behind Gene Rodenberry's "Tribbles" are embodied in the Stone Family's experience with Martian "Flat Cats."
I first read this book decades ago, and it's just as good a read as it was then.
I especially liked the "Afterword" by Steve Hughes, comparing what Heinlein 'predicted' in his story and the reality just a few years, or many decades, later.
I especially liked the "Afterword" by Steve Hughes, comparing what Heinlein 'predicted' in his story and the reality just a few years, or many decades, later.
A remarkable family, the Stones (engineer father, doctor mother, engineer/pioneer grandmother, teen-age daughter, precocious twins and prodigy baby) buy an old space ship and take off for a tour of the solar system. Both funny and adventurous, geared for older children, but enjoyable for adults as well.
This was one of Heinlein's "juvenile books" in that he had written these books with a younger audience in mind. The book is a quick read, but the story isn't that magnificient. I enjoyed the book, but it seemed a little to simple...
One of Heinlein's classic juveniles, it's got an entrepreneurial family taking off for space, all working together for the good of the family. The kids are bright but still act (mostly) like kids and the parents act like parents. Great lessons in self-reliance, critical thinking, responsibility and self-sacrifice. You'll definitely notice its 1954 publication date in the gender roles: while the women are smart, accomplished, and have careers they are still the only ones to do the cooking, cleaning, and child-caring. Lots of astrogation jargon for the scientifically minded, although the use of slide rules and tape spools also shows its age. But those are minor quibbles in the larger theme of exploration, responsibility and basic "how to act like an adult".
What a fun read. Copyright 1952 and yet it doesn't read as out of date. It may not be the origin for the name of the band or for Star Trek's Tribbles but you'll love the comparison your mind makes. I have a Tribble, now I want a Flat Cat.
Please read the summary of the book. This is not about THE Rolling Stones, but is a young adult fiction book. I believe it has to do with outer space.
