I read Panshin's review of Heinlein's work, [b:Heinlein in Dimension A Critical Analysis|46562|Heinlein in Dimension A Critical Analysis|Alexei Panshin|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1210872060s/46562.jpg|45677], & got a craving to re-read this old favorite along the way. I'm glad I did. It's one of the Scribner YA novels he wrote & very well done. Well worth the re-read. The story is simple & interesting. Of more interest were the many dropped hints about politics, society & various future gadgets. While it's not a future I find real, it's interesting & fun. Lummy, short for Lummox, AKA The Star Beast, is wonderful. ( )

A delightful book that I've read again and again. The love between a boy and his pet that overcomes all obstacles.

There's also details that I only notice now that I'm much older than when I first read it. In 1954 when this book was written, having an extremely competent black African in charge of international affairs would have seemed radical - nowadays, we, happily, take such things as normal. ( )

Haven't read this one but I love Heinlein in general. If you like Sci -fi, try it.

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3A8K7CH... ( )

2006

I tried to read this book – for a while, it was a bedtime book for my son, and I read parts of it by myself after he lost interest. In the end, though, I decided not to throw good time after bad, and I gave up. I just didn’t find it at all engaging – the characters annoyed me, and the story seemed kind of, well, lame. Maybe this is a gem in disguise and I just didn’t “get” it, but I found this book highly disappointing. ( )

The story of a boy and his pet. His very big pet from outer space. ( )