Sylvia Engdahl

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Sylvia Louise Engdahl (born November 24, 1933 in Los Angeles ) is an American science fiction writer.

Life

Engdahl published 13 books (as of 2012), including seven science fiction novels , three non-fiction books, two science fiction anthologies and a picture book for children. Engdahl's best-known books are the novel Wächterin der Sterne ( Enchantress from the Stars ) published in 1970 , which was awarded a Newbery Honor as part of the Newbery Medal , and the novel This Star Shall Abide published in 1972 . This is the first volume in a trilogy and is aimed at teenagers and young adults. It discusses concepts of truth, knowledge, freedom and the reasons for their restriction of personal freedom.

Between 1985 and 1995 she taught courses on the web and its predecessor for Connected Education , a pioneer in e-learning . She lives in Oregon with her two cats.

In August 2007, Engdahl published the science fiction novella Stewards of the Flame , followed by the sequel Promise of the Flame in September 2009.

plant

Engdahl's SF novels focus on moral and ethical issues. To a large extent, the place and time of the action only serve to alienate the action, to give the reader a neutral point of view when considering the problems and questions raised ( guardian of the stars ), or to construct a situation in which one is ethical or moral dilemma cannot be avoided ( This Star Shall Abide ).

Her most successful books are explicitly aimed at young adults, but can be read by adults as well. This reception leads to the fact that she is often perceived as an SF author by children's and youth book publishers, but is seen as a children's author in the science fiction novels, a rating that Engdahl regrets in the texts on her website.

Between 1970 and 1981, Engdahl wrote six science fiction novels, all of which were reprinted in the 21st century. Her two new novels were published in two parts in 2007 and 2009. They are SF for adults, not for teenagers.

Awards

  • Shortlist for Junior Literary Guild for Enchantress from the Stars (1970)
  • ALA Notable Children's Books for Enchantress from the Stars (1970)
  • Horn Book Fanfare for Enchantress from the Stars (1971)
  • Newbery Honor for Enchantress from the Stars (1971)
  • Christopher Award for This Star Shall Abide (1973)
  • Phoenix Award for Enchantress from the Stars (1990)
  • New York Public Library 100 Favorite Children's Books for Enchantress from the Stars (1998)
  • Teen People Book Club selection for Enchantress from the Stars (2001)
  • Book of the Year finalist for 'Book Sense' , in the category 'Rediscoveries' for Enchantress from the Stars (2002)
  • CBC Not Just For Children Anymore , in the 'Classics' category for Enchantress from the Stars (2002)
  • CCBC Choices for Enchantress from the Stars (2002)
  • ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults for Enchantress from the Stars (2004)

bibliography

  • Enchantress from the Stars (1970; reprint 2001)
    • German: Guardian of the Stars (Hardcover 2002, Paperback 1976)
  • Journey Between Worlds (1970; revised new edition 2006)
  • The Far Side of Evil (1971; modified new edition 2003)
  • This Star Shall Abide (also as Heritage of the Star , 1972)
  • Beyond the Tomorrow Mountains (1973)
  • The Doors of the Universe (1981)
  • Children of the Star (2000, anthology of the trilogy This Star Shall Abide , Beyond the Tomorrow Mountains and The Doors of the Universe , as SF for adult audiences, marked as youth literature in the first editions)
  • Stewards of the Flame (2007, SF for adults)
  • Promise of the Flame (2009, SF for adults)

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Website of Sylvia Engdahl - Children of the Star Trilogy . In the section A Background Paper for This Star Shall Abide (1972) the author explains how the plot was constructed to create the moral dilemma. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  2. ↑ Sylvia Engdahl's website - FAQ for readers . The problem of different perceptions as a youth or as an SF author is addressed by her throughout the text there, but especially in the section Many Young Adult science fiction novels are reprinted in mass-market SF paperback lines. Why weren't yours? . Retrieved August 30, 2017.
personal data
SURNAME Engdahl, Sylvia
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Engdahl, Sylvia Louise (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American science fiction writer
DATE OF BIRTH November 24, 1933
PLACE OF BIRTH los Angeles