Haystack

“The Golden Age of Science Fiction is the magic period of childhood discovery.” This charming autobiographical tale written in 1978 recounts the author’s experience at age ten (1932) living on the Ventura County coast. Charles wants to read, to dream about adventures, but thinks that adventures are not possible in the present day, only in the past—the age of chivalry or the exploration of the wild west—or way in the future, with space exploration.  Encouraged by his mother to go outside and play with the other children, he comes to a realization about education:  “As long as he had his books and imagination, he could have all the adventures that he wanted.”  The story contains interesting historic facts and describes the author’s father’s work on early television technology.