"Young adult" Trek novels

[Therin of Andor]

I remember reading "Worf's First Adventure" in the fifth grade (1993-94). Little did I know I had to present it in front of the class. Needless to say, fifth grade wasn't a very good year for me (Trek didn't exactly help my popularity )

That makes me feel old. When PAD's "Worf" trilogy came out, I bought them for the school library in which I worked. They didn't get borrowed too often, but TNG was released first on VHS sell-thru, and it was shunted to late night viewings when it did get to free-to-air TV.

But there were plenty of Year 5 and 6 kids who came in to talk about cool SF TV shows, although it was reruns of TOS in the 80s, in my previous school, that had more kids excited about ST.

And, you know, if you're going to get bullied, the bullies will pick on any aspect they can that gets a reaction. A liking for ST or SF or reading is not why they're bullying. It could also be hair colour, speech impediment, too much spending money, not enough spending money, having one parent, having both parents, owning the wrong colour backpack, a big nose, a stutter...

I'm betting you got teased because you actually had read a book, as requested, and thus could do an impromptu book report. The bullies probably hadn't read a book since Year 2.

 

[ScottDS]

You're probably right. I haven't thought about it in a long time. But if years of subsequent therapy have taught me anything, it's this: some people are just schmucks!

Thanks for the kind words. Lest this thread turn into my own shrink session, I think we can get back on topic now.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Thanks for asking but I honestly couldn't say. It was 14 years ago. My mom kept all my stuff from K through 5 in a box which is gathering dust and mildew on the top shelf of a closet. I probably looked through it a couple years ago but I don't believe there is anything in there relating to this report.

Aww, too bad. My two STILL live on in my computer--yeah, I've managed to keep those files for a decade. (Damn, Microsoft Word is one OLD program!) My writing style has changed a whole lot, and I was definitely a lot more idealistic than I am now, but it's a really neat historical piece for me to have.

Do you remember what the main thrust of your report was? Was it a straight summary, or did you get to do any creative writing, or any criticisms?

 

[ScottDS]

Thanks for asking but I honestly couldn't say. It was 14 years ago. My mom kept all my stuff from K through 5 in a box which is gathering dust and mildew on the top shelf of a closet. I probably looked through it a couple years ago but I don't believe there is anything in there relating to this report.

Aww, too bad. My two STILL live on in my computer--yeah, I've managed to keep those files for a decade. (Damn, Microsoft Word is one OLD program!) My writing style has changed a whole lot, and I was definitely a lot more idealistic than I am now, but it's a really neat historical piece for me to have.

Do you remember what the main thrust of your report was? Was it a straight summary, or did you get to do any creative writing, or any criticisms?

If I recall correctly, I don't believe I even knew we'd be presenting the books we were reading. That means one of three things: a.) our teacher decided at the last minute we would do presentations, b.) she warned us ahead of time and in an uncharacteristic display of unprofessionalism, I forgot the assignment, or c.) we didn't have to do presentations and the teacher picked me because she knew I was a good reader and I'd have something to contribute (possibly an extra credit thing for the A students). I remember that if I knew in advance, I would not have read a Trek novel.

Each student only had to present for a few minutes (again, assuming it was a class assignment). I basically had to improvise. I was probably vague regarding certain details (being in the lion's den, I didn't want to get too bogged down in aliens and technobabble!) and I remember closing with something to the effect of, "I admire the characters for their teamwork and professionalism" or some similar sentiment.

Again, 'twas fourteen years ago and I have since blocked out a lot of that year. I only wish I remembered whether or not I forgot the assignment or only a few of us had to present or if it was a last-minute move by the teacher. And being in fifth grade, we weren't doing a lot of literary criticism - mainly plot summaries and some opinions (which characters we liked/disliked, etc.).

Again, thanks for your interest. Needless to say, I never read another Trek novel in school until college when I brought in A Stitch in Time and, since it was film school, I wasn't the only geek in the room!

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I was lucky that in most places, I had at least one fellow geek to share with.

 

[Dingo]

I unfortunately didn't at my high school, but some of my extracirricular activities meant I had a couple fellow Trekkies to chat with.

Peter David's OK. I actually like New Frontier, though it at times requires a tremendous suspension of disbelief.

My favorite YA Trek novel was Space Camp, Ted Pederson did a great job with that story. I wrote my own thread on DS9 YA novels and I'll say again, the fact that Jake and Nog's friendship was strained over a pretty Betazoid classmate was pretty funny, especially when Jake and Nog got in a fight:

"Jake was bigger and stronger. But Nog was smaller and faster. And had sharper teeth..." - Space Camp.