Starstuff: Ten Science Fiction Stories to Celebrate New Possibilities

"Starstuff" is a compelling anthology of ten science fiction stories designed for middle-grade readers, ages 4-11. It presents a refreshing antidote to dystopian narratives, focusing instead on the premise of hope and the positive potential of science and technology. Each story, penned by a celebrated author, adheres to current understandings of physics and biology, making the futuristic scenarios feel grounded and plausible. The collection features diverse protagonists who tackle a range of challenges, from harrowing to humorous, across various settings like space stations and distant moons. It champions youth agency and encourages adventurous thinking about scientific possibilities, making it an excellent choice for curious young minds.

In a thrilling follow-up to Tasting Light, ten best-selling and award-winning masters of the form use the possible—and the premise of hope—to explore how science and technology can reshape our world and defy assumptions. At once a collection of hard science fiction for curious middle-graders and an antidote to despair in the face of dystopian uncertainty, these ten horizon-bending stories may seem unreal, but all follow the rules of physics and biology as we understand them today. These tales of space junk, multiverse navigation, an asteroid named Doomsday, and bees and marmots in space pulse with honesty and optimism. Whether home is a planet, a moon, a space station, or a fleet starship, relatable protagonists of different genders, classes, nationalities, ethnicities, and orientations face challenges—some harrowing, some hilarious—true to their moment in time and space. Brisk plots, resonant themes, and scientific rigor define these forward-facing stories by leading middle-grade authors. Taken together, the tales champion youth agency through characters who approach science in adventurous ways, underscoring that we are all, indeed, made of the same luminous stuff. With stories by: William Alexander * A. R. Capetta * Maddi Gonzalez * Carlos Hernandez * Kekla Magoon * Jenn Reese * David Robertson * Wade Roush * Eliot Schrefer * Fran Wilde