There’s a new librarian at Arnold’s school, and she doesn’t seem to mind if the books have the Society for Common Decency sticker on their title pages. She has a curious affinity for cats and dragons too, as a world that doesn’t quite seem as it should morphs into others that seem even less like home. Blue-dot swastikas, neural nets and diseases, alien High Ones and more abound in Martin Berman-Gorvine’s fascinating teen novel of alternate realities.

The author conveys the facts and machinations of his alternate histories with a very natural touch, offering authentic dialog through the trials of convincing teens. In this future world, “We Jews and Koreans, we have to stick together, don’t we?” and bullies rule. Technology, offered by benevolent aliens, runs rampant. Faith invites interesting contrasts of offence and belief. And the half-truths of benevolence might prove more dangerous than lies.

Heroes of the Earth is good old-fashioned science fiction in the best sense of the word—fiction that makes the reader think, fantasy that brings the real world into focus, and science that’s believable, if slightly beyond the scope of modern knowledge. Add history, written by a range of different victors; social studies that deny the truth of memory, great teenage characters and their family relationships, plus a fascinating plot. It’s a highly recommended, thought-provoking and exciting read.

Disclosure: I was given a copy and I offer my honest review. ( )