I've posted our friend holmes_iv's "monogram" on the juveniles at the Heinlein Commentary blog. You can read the whole thing at:



Opening lines:

Monogram on the Heinlein Juveniles

By holmes_iv

Robert A. Heinlein, in an attempt to establish a little financial security -- something that previously had eluded him -- began a series of juvenile novels for Scribner's in 1947.

I believe he originally thought of them as "boy's books," in the tradition of Tom Sawyer. Over the years, however, I think he learned a respect for his audience, and while he never produced an equivalent to Huckleberry Finn, the novels did become more mature in both writing style and theme.

Rocket Ship Galileo, the first of the juvenile novels, certainly was no more than a "boy's book." Its premise is preposterous: Three teenaged boys assist a rogue scientist in the construction and operation of a moon rocket.

Once they reach the Moon, they discover a nest of Nazis, a secret cell which is determined to finish World War II from its hidden base on the Moon. The American teenagers and their mentor use rifles in an attempt to defeat the Nazis, which they do.

While the story is silly, Heinlein does use it to propagandize for matters he considers serious: toleration of minorities, in this case Jews, and promotion of serious education for minors, or at least respect for the intellectual abilities of minors.
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A hearty "thank you!" to holmes_iv for the submission. I will gladly post other Heinlein-related material that readers would like to send.

A hearty "You're welcome!" back atcha.