New Releases by Sylvia Louise Engdahl

Noren knew that his world was not as it should be — it was wrong that only the Scholars, and their representatives the Technicians, could use metal tools and Machines. It was wrong that only they had access to the mysterious City, which he had always longed to enter. Above all, it was wrong for the Scholars to have sole power over the distribution of knowledge. The High Law imposed these restrictions and many others, though the Prophecy promised that someday knowledge and Machines would be available to everyone. Noren was a heretic. He defied the High Law, and had no faith in the Prophecy''s fulfillment. But was defiance enough, or could some way be found to make it come true? This classic science fiction novel — Book One of the Children of the Star Trilogy — is enjoyed by readers age 12 and up, as well as by older teens and adults who go on to read the entire trilogy. Originally published in 1972 by Atheneum in the U.S. and by Gollancz in the U.K. under the title Heritage of the Star, it was the winner of a Christopher Award, given for "affirmation of the highest values of the human spirit." It is now also available as an audiobook.

Discusses the moral and ethical issues of euthanasia with personal accounts, case studies and factual articles.

Elana, a newly graduated agent of the Federation Anthropological Service, is sent to observe Toris, a Youngling planet poised on the brink of nuclear war. Her primary directive is merely to observe. She cannot reveal her alien origin or interfere in any way with the planet''s natural course of evolution. But does this mean she must stand by and watch as an entire world drives itself to destruction? Elana''s fellow agent, Randil, should never have been sent on the mission. If his emotions get the better of him, then his compassion for the Torisians may motivate him to intervene. Even with the best of intentions, his actions may tip the balance of power and bring about the holocaust that he is so desperately trying to prevent. The endangered planet''s only hope is Elana, who must choose between siding with a renegade agent or stopping him at any cost.

When young Elana unexpectedly joins the team leaving the spaceship to study the planet Andrecia, she becomes an integral part of an adventure involving three very different civilizations, each one centered on the third planet from the star in its own solar system.

But the more he learned of the grim truth about his people''s deprivations, the less possible it seemed that their world could ever be changed. It would take more drastic steps than anyone imagined to restore their rightful heritage.

Three civilizations from different planets in widely varying stages of development clash in what could be either a mutually disastrous or beneficial encounter.