by Isaac Asimov
First published 1988
This collection presents young beings from distant worlds who have made Earth their home. Some arrive as diplomatic emissaries working toward peace between species. Others come with darker motives that threaten those around them. Certain alien children stand out immediately with their strange appearances and otherworldly abilities. But many blend seamlessly into human society, attending schools and playing in neighborhoods while hiding their true nature and extraordinary powers. Their human classmates and neighbors remain completely unaware they live alongside visitors from other planets. The stories explore how these young extraterrestrials navigate daily life on a foreign world, whether they embrace their hidden identity or struggle against it. Each tale examines the unique challenges these children face as they balance their alien heritage with their earthbound existence, revealing both the wonder and the burden of being different in a world that doesn't know you exist.
Genres: science-fiction, family-life, coming-of-age, aliens
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
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