2015 Young Explorer's Adventure Guide

24 science fiction short stories for the middle grade reader from Hugo and Nebula winning authors as well as newer writers.

It’s time for a bigger universe.

Sally Ride, first American woman in space and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, famously said: “Young girls need to see role models in whatever careers they may choose, just so they can picture themselves doing those jobs someday. You can’t be what you can’t see.”

Girls need to read stories where any number of possible roles are modeled for them. Just as importantly, boys need to read stories where girls are active participants in adventures. And children of all colors and backgrounds need to know the future includes them.

"When I was a child, the school library had a Girls' Section, which included fairy tales, and a Boys' Section, which included all the science fiction. Things have changed, of course, but not enough. There is a strong need for science fiction, as opposed to fantasy, aimed at girls, especially in the middle grades. This anthology is an important contribution to the effort to fill that need, and I'm delighted to be a part of it."

~ Nancy Kress, winner of five Nebulas, two Hugos, a Sturgeon, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award

Authors in the anthology are:

Marilag Angway

Deanna Baran

Mike Barretta

Eric Del Carlo

Salena Casha

Brigid Collins

Ron Collins

Cory Cone

C.J. Daring

Evan Dicken

Anne E. Johnson

Amy Griswold

Jeanne Kramer-Smyth

Nancy Kress

Wendy Lambert

Vanessa MacLellan

Phoebe North

Angela Penrose

Douglas Smith

Eric James Stone

Sonja Thomas

Deborah Walker

Jeannie Warner

Alvaro Zinos-Amaro