Farmer in the Sky (Heinlein's Juveniles Book 4)

I first read Farmer in the Sky, by Robert Heinlein when I was a teen. It chronicled the sort of adventure I would have enjoyed and the story stayed with me. Years later I read the story to my children and still have a copy in my library today.

Farmer In The Sky is a story about an early attempt at extra-terrestrial colonization, which was a common science fiction theme in the 1950s. Heinlein writes a story that is usually compellingly inspirational about mankind moving beyond Earth.

Unfortunately, at least through the view of a more modern teenager, the main character is hopelessly immature, throwing 8 year-old hissy fits when he is supposed to be in his late teens.

Also, as this novel was originally (I believe) written for serialization in Boy's Life, it has a very strong Boy Scouts component. This is neither bad nor good, but it could have been written without it.

As I said in my title, Farmer In The Sky is generally my favorite of Heinlein's juvenile. I read it as a teen and still enjoy it. But you do have to ignore the protagonist's immaturity.

And I thought global warming was a bad thing. Bill Lerner is a California boy living the American dream and at first glance that dream looks pretty sweet. Only 14 years old, Bill gets to fly helicopters with his Boy Scout troop. But we soon realize that Bill's life leaves much to be desired. The food he eats is strictly rationed and his rations are to be cut even further. Why? The Chinese are making too many babies! This razes some interesting questions. Is the world governed by a communist super-state? Why should the number of babies in China have any impact on what people eat in California?

These question are never answered because the story is narrated by Bill who is so squeaky clean innocent that it's almost creepy. It seems as if Bill was razed by the Stepford wives. He is shocked, almost beyond words, to hear of something called "Political Influence" where by well connected individuals are given preferential treatment. The worst swear word he has even heard starts not with an "F" but with a "D". Next to Bill Lerner Beaver Cleaver looks like Bart Simpson.

But even so Bill manages to fly to the moons of Jupiter where he builds a barn, milks his pet cow Mabel and establishes the first Boy Scout troop on Ganymede. Along the way he survives meteor impacts, earthquakes, explosive decompressions, planetary ecological disasters and a burst appendix to discover the alien version of the Radio Flyer little red wagon. The girls in Bill's life are all silly little pests who hold no attraction for him and, with the exception of one extremely butch shuttle pilot, the women are all house wives.

It may sound dated but I enjoyed reading "Farmer in the Sky". You have to admit, they just don't write science fiction like this anymore.

Actually, I was pretty surprised by this one -- I'm not much of a fan of Heinlein, but his characters are compelling enough to drag me through this very episodic book.
Despite the fact that everybody talks pretty much the same way that they do in other Heinlein books, and some characters obviously exist to make philosophical points, or to die conveniently, the main protagonist has enough depth to shift his point of view convincingly (except for some wild swings at the end), and not be the perfect Boy Scout. This book shows its age, but its still clearly thought out with many interesting ideas.

Robert Heinlein began his career writing books for young adults we would
call them today. Farmer in the sky is a about the opening of a farming
colony on a moon of Jupiter, not the most desirable of places. But he
invents the technology to make it possible to turn a frozen moon into an
Earthlike farming world. Until disaster strikes. Still a good read, even
if somewhat outdated. I read it as a child and it is still memorable.

not a literary or technical review. just a statement that i have figured out why i like heinlein so much. it is simple. he takes me places in my mind that are almost real to me. i like his characters and like hanging out with them. plus i learn stuff. speaking of which. i really liked the afterword that questioned and updated the science. i hope this gets added to all his books.

Amazing grasp of scientific concept for a book written so long ago. His bent on morals, integrity and the military are surprisingly refreshing. A very quick couple hour read that leaves one strangely satisfied. I guess it's time to start funding NASA again.

I read this book ~20 years ago when I was ~15y/o.

It was the hebrew translation of this title, and my first ever sci-fi book. This had really influenced me on keep reading other books, and for the rest of my life, I was seeking for such books that had the same quality and impact as this book had put on me.

I would recommend this book for any teenager first and foremost. It is really enjoyable, full of real science facts mixed with some fiction facts, has an adventure flavor in it all and in my view, a main character which the reader can relates to (a teenage boy).

I already read many reviews saying this is not R.A.H's best book, and maybe they're right, I'm no literature expert, but it's an amazing book for teenagers who are interested in science, astronomy, technology, physics, and exploring things in general.

Farmer in the Sky is a rather nice piece of work. On the whole, the writing is all right and the plot is okay, but what really makes the book remarkable is the general description of living in a world where a family can immigrate to a fully terraformed Ganymede. This book's largest problems are the sometimes oppressive "Gee Whiz! Boy Scouts!" air and the occasional dubious space science, but it's a great introduction to Heinlein for young readers. (And, for that matter, a pretty good book in general.)

This novel was written with a "juvenile" audience in mind but I (as a 30-year-old) still found it enjoyable, even though I enjoy sophisticated fiction. The story is one of a family that emigrates from California to Ganymede, one of Jupiter's moons, as one of the early waves of settlers there. This is hardly the most sophisticated story out there, and there are occasional dated references (in at least two stories, including this, Heinlein figured slide rules would still be in use!) but Heinlein made at least one interesting prediction - that Jupiter had narrow rings (this was not known until the 1980s). An enjoyable read for sci-fi fans.

I love Heinlein, but I was luke warm on the whole science fiction meets Little House on the Prairie, with a late half formed contact with ancient alien technology thrown in as an after thought.
The inclusion of the cavern / crystals / alien walker may have been meant to titilate, but it felt more like the author was even bored himself, and wanted to add something to keep readers interested.

If it was aimed at younger readers, then it may have struck more home with them, but I was left thinking what could have been, and off to see what the Star Beast has to offer...

Imagine it is 1950 and you are a (male) teenager. After reading Farmer in the Sky, you would probably go on and do one of the two following things:

1. Invent the microwave oven, portrayed amazingly accurately in chapter I.

2. Reach out for the stars.

Thanx for 2 and Sputnik, generations with a space vision grew up and paved the way for the stars. Alas, not exactly the stars and not the way Heinlein and all the other pioneers envisioned it (first manned mission to Ganymede in 1985?) but still with enough impetus to take humans to Luna.

So, thank you Dean for the vision, which is enough to forgive plot holes like the discrepancy between terraforming a planet and using 14th century science to farm. 3 1/2 stars.

Are you a SF lover and have not yet read this one? You will finish it quickly and with a smile on your face.

Are you are a (male or female) teenager? You `d probably find the Farmer naive and look elsewhere for space motivation. Where? I don't have a clue.

Farmer in the Sky is the first Heinlein book I ever read, and is easily one of the best. I first read it 8 years ago, when i was 10, and can still pick it up today, and enjoy it just as much as the first time i read it, even though it was written with a child in mind. The characters are solid, as is the plot, creating an unforgetable story.

The Dean of Science Fiction teaches us about ecology long before the word is in the general vocabulary. This is the book that first taught me and countless others about the life cycle and the importance of keeping polution under control.
It's a true cornerstone of his ability to take hard science and teach it to the reader in a readable fashion.

This was written in 1949, and it shows ... but the sharpness of Heinlein's observation of character is sufficient to overcome the time lapse. The relationship between father and son in the first few chapters is keenly observed and still rings true.

This book was a Hugo award winner in 1951- Can you imagine life in 1951? Either can I. This book is what I call a mechanical science fiction story. No real issues are being discussed here other than the trials and tribulations of trying to colonize one of Jupiter's moons.

Couple of complaints and/or comments here: First, the main character calls his dad by his first name- Is that how they did it back in 1951?

Second, The Boy Scouts. I can understand children coming together to learn and play- However, the city council meeting/army dynamic of the Boy Scouts has got me perplexed. Do we really want to teach politics and army to our children?

This book should be read for the first time only by juveniles, people reading to establish a base for Heinlein's later novels or people that have read a lot of period juveniles. The science is far outdated and the characters are straight out of a comic book, which makes it a good example of the genre. It is not his best juvenile, but it is a readable novel for a rainy day.

ok im only in 7th grade (but i have an adult reading level) but i loved this book. it wasnt my favorite book (the blue sword by robin mckinley was) but i still loved it. it is a good quality book and if you dont like it you have bad taste!