Anywhere, Anywhen
Stories of Tomorrow

Expanded eBook Edition

Edited by Sylvia Engdahl

An anthology of stories about the future edited by Sylvia Engdahl, this book is intended for teens who don't ordinarily read science fiction rather than for SF fans, and is not meant to be an introduction to that genre. It focuses on the timeless aspects of being human, and aims to suggest ideas about the future in a way that those who prefer real-life settings to strange, "far-out" ones will enjoy. Contributors in addition to Engdahl include Shirley Rousseau Murphy, Carol Farley, Rick Roberson, Robert Pierik, and Mildred Butler, all of whom are established authors of children's or Young Adult fiction. The two original stories from Engdahl and Roberson's previous anthology Universe Ahead, which consisted mainly of reprinted stories, are included.

The Kindle edition of this book, unlike the 1976 hardcover edition, contains all of Engdahl's short fiction, including "Timescape" (coathored with Mildred Butler) from the hardcover edition, "The Beckoning Trail" (coauthored with Rick Roberson) from Universe Ahead, and "Tranquility," a previously-unpublished story written in 1957. These stories are directed to somewhat older teens than most of the other stories in this expanded edition. "The Beckoning Trail" in particular will be of interest to readers of her novels.


“The stories are well-written, deeply thought out and a pleasure to read.” —Sunday Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

“The stories deal with tomorrow, but also with people.” —The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon

“A interesting look at what it might mean to grow up in tomorrow’s world.” —Children’s Books of the Year, Child Study Press, New York

“For nonfans as well as readers of science fiction. . .. Robert Pierik portrays a technically oriented society in which persons showing artistic talent are routinely reconditioned mentally. Rick Roberson . . . contributes a tale about contact between space explorers and a more primitive society that wants to develop in its own way; and Engdahl, writing in collaboration with Mildred Butler, explores an intriguing use of time travel.” —Booklist

“Carol Farley’s ‘The DILOPs are Coming’ focuses on a young girl who encounters the caution of an anxious and overprotective mother while seeking to find her niche in an adult world. . . . Certainly one of the better stories in the collection, ‘The Mooncup’ by Shirley Rousseau Murphy, describes the meeting of two young people from different planets and cultures who are both gifted with the power of thought transmission.” —The World of Children’s Books, University of Alberta

“Roberson’s quick moving, easy style, the nicely delineated characters, and the provocative themes make ‘The Astoria Incident’ a success.” —Delap’s F & SF Review

“Rick Roberson suggests in his story ‘Cloudlab’ that only in dreaming can our future ever take form as it is intended. . . . And then there is that superb story ‘The Beckoning Trail’ by Sylvia Engdahl and Rick Roberson in which a few of the crew members are able to comprehend the alien species which had signaled Earth. . . . Somewhat similar to 2001: A Space Odyssey, with a final act of courage and abandon, the more sensitive and accepting members of the group allow themselves to become consciously involved in the alien form of communication and thus leave ordinary earthlings far behind.” —The World of Children’s Books, University of Alberta

Publication History
Atheneum (hc) - 1976
Ad Stellae (eb) - 2012 (expanded)
Universe Ahead: Stories of the Future
Atheneum (hc) - 1975 (source of several stories included in the expanded edition)

Read the Introduction to Anywhere, Anywhen

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