Between Planets

By Robert A. Heinlein
Baen Books, $7.99, 227 pages

But few outside of Robert Heinlein’s devotees know that many of his works were aimed at, and market to, children before they became popular among adults too. Between Planets is one such novel .  At one time serialized in altered format in the magazine Boy’s Life, the tale is bursting with crisp prose, action-adventure, and a dash of romance. The storyline explores what would happen should a young man be caught in the middle of a war not of his making and on which he has no opinion. Would that boy declare for one side or the other? Would he wither away into nothing? Or would he become that rare kind of man, a hero?

The plotting is a bit simplistic in its progress, and the romantic element is underdeveloped, but the story is nonetheless engrossing. Fans of classic science fiction, middle school students, or readers that prefer optimistic endings will enjoy Between Planets.

Reviewed by John Ottinger