Sunday, January 02, 2011

National Science Fiction Day


National Science Fiction Day Is January 2, Isaac Asimov’s Birthday
Isaac Asimov was born January 2, 1920–officially, that is. Unofficially, of course, is another matter. He was born in Russia, and I imagine that in those turbulent times people were more concerned about living to see another day than recording the exact day a baby joined the living. However, when the Asimovs arrived in America in 1923, little Isaac’s date of birth had to be declared. It was probably January 2, but who could be sure? What better day to select, the Asimovs may have thought, than the day after the New Year is celebrated? As the year begins, so does our son’s life. During his lifetime, Asimov received numerous degrees, awards, and other emblems of distinction. I bet that one of his favorite modes of recognition, though, was having his official birthday function as National Science Fiction Day. Of course, Isaac did more than scientifically imagine and create works of science fiction. He wrote between 400 and 500 works of fact, fiction, criticism, religion, and everything in between. (Even Asimov lost count.) Nevertheless, the architects of National Science Fiction Day knew what they were doing. Asimov may have been a PhD chemist, professor, and a member of Mensa (R), but envisioning the future seemed to fire up his imagination more than science, teaching, and interactions with geniuses. He must have been proud of his scientifically fictitious images of space and robots–which sometimes turned out to be more truth than fiction.


Have you read any of Asimov’s novels, short stories, or works of non-fiction? Have you read any works of science fiction? If not, then–whether it’s Asimov or not–do it today! You truly don’t know the wonderful worlds you are missing. Are you already a sci-fi aficionado or an Asimov lover? That’s all the more reason for you to honor the day that does the Great One honor! What else are you going to do the day after New Year’s? Keep the celebration going with Science Fiction Day!


by Anne Verville

List of Science Fiction books to read -


Recommended for Grades 1-3
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Astro bunnies by Christine Loomis
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Captain Pajamas by Bruce Whatley
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Cosmo and the robot by J. Brian Pinkney
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Mission Ziffoid by Michael Rosen
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Mush, a dog from space by Daniel Pinkwater
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Rocket rescue by Nicola Baxter
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Space case by Edward Marshall
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Space dog the hero by Natalie Standiford
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Tut, tut (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
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Recommended for Grades 4-6
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The green book by Jill Paton Walsh
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Lost in cyberspace by Richard Peck
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My life among the aliens by Gail Gauthier
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The mystery machine by Herbie Brennan
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The nose from Jupiter by Richard Scrimger
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Shape-changer by Bill Brittain
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Stinker from space by Pamela F. Service
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The timespinners by Lili Gray
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Tom's midnight garden by Philippa Pearce
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Tria and the great star rescue by Rebecca Kraft Rector
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The virtual war by Gloria Skurzynski
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Who goes home? by Sylvia Waugh
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Recommended for Grades 6-8
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Alien game by Catherine Dexter
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Alien secrets by Annetter Curtis Klause
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The city of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
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Downsiders by Neil Shusterman
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Enchantress from the stars by Sylvia Lousie Engdahl
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Ender's game by Orson Scott Card
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Eva by Peter Dickinson
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Flip by David Lubar
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Heir apparent by Vivian Vande Velde
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Invitation to the game by Monica Hughes
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Marco's Millions by William Sleator
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Switching well by Peni R. Griffin
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Tunnel in the sky by Robert A. Heinlein
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When the Tripods came by John Christopher

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