cover image Jack Anderson Presents the Young Astronauts

Jack Anderson Presents the Young Astronauts

Rick North, R. North. Zebra, $2.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-8217-3000-3

In this first book of a projected series, the United Nations has selected the world's brightest students to launch an ambitious space program--the colonization of Mars. Teams of teenagers have been invited to Houston for training and evaluation, but only the highest-scoring groups will be chosen for the mission. Fair-minded Nathan, an American, soon discovers the keen competition, as do his team members: the handsome Russian, Sergei; Noemi, a fashion-conscious math whiz from Venezuela; Lanie, a troubled American computer whiz; Genshiro, a brilliant Japanese; the level-headed Alice, a New Zealander; and Karl, a German who is grieving over his mother's untimely death. The novel's premise will lure SF fans, although they may find certain aspects implausible (Lanie's duping the authorities, the pampered Noemi's candidacy for the program, Genshiro's Americanized English). North's generally well-written narrative is somewhat pedantic in places, but he keeps the story on course by planting bits of intrigue and ably illustrating group dynamics at work. Ages 10-up. (July)