| Pamela Sargent Author of Science & Historical Fiction |
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EarthseedDescriptionShip hurtles through space. Deep within its core, it carries the seed of humankind. The people of Earth sent Ship into space to fulfill the final destiny of the human race. All their brightest hopes are in the genetic material stored aboard Ship.Now, over a century later, Ship creates Zoheret and her shipmates from its genetic banks. It has found a home for its children on an uninhabited, earthlike planet. But its passengers are not ready to leave Ship. What do they really know of living on a hostile, open surface--alone and unaided by the living machine that has been mother, father, and teacher for all their lives! To prepare them, Ship devises a "survival test." Suddenly, instincts that have been latent for over 100 years take over. Zoheret watches friends become strangers--strangers and enemies. Can Zoheret and her companions overcome the biggest obstacle to the survival of the human race--themselves? -- from the book jacket. About the BookA 1983 ALA Best Book for Young AdultsAn ALA Booklist Young Adult Reviewers' Choice for 1983 "One of the main characters here is the sentient Ship that has been traveling through space for over a century, programmed to find a planetary system with a habitable world. Other characters--all about 15 years old--have been created by Ship from the genetic banks placed aboard by the earth people who iniated and worked on the project, which is designed to carry 'earthseed' to other worlds. The main characters are well defined--particularly the protagonist, Zoheret, who matures during the course of events from a typical teenage girl to a compassionate, strong-willed, loyal leader of those who survive to settle their new world. Gripping and emotion-evoking." (Starred review) -- ALA Booklist "The story is thought-provoking and full of odd surprises." -- School Library Journal "A distinguished addition to a growing body of work that can be labeled young adult science fiction." -- Wilson Library Bulletin "A new and striking adventure story with the kind of underlying theme which makes the reader think and consider many of the ills of our own time." -- Andre Norton "An accomplishment to savor." -- Michael Bishop "Pamela Sargent gives us believable characters in realistic situations while not stinting on the imagination, the research, and the ideas." -- James Gunn "Pamela Sargent is a fine writer, and I'm sure Earthseed will add many fans to her growing circle of readers." -- Joan D. Vinge | |