Dune by Frank Herbert

Title: Dune
Author: Frank Herbert
ISBN: 0399128964
517 pages
Ace Books, 1999

For my first review, I have selected a book that I have recently re-read and seems perfect as a starting point for materials for ages 9 to 14. Dune, by Frank Herbert, was a favorite of mine when I was this age (I think I first read it when I was twelve) and has been very popular in the realm of science fiction for many years but also contains many topics which are marginally appropriate for this age group. This combination of popularity and more adult oriented themes is a very important issue in judging which materials are suitable for tweens.


Description:

Dune is set in a far away galaxy where the young prince Paul Atreides and his family are being forced to leave their home planet of Caladan for the desert planet Arrakis, the home of the all important drug melange, usually just referred to as "the spice". The melange is allows the empire running the galaxy to mover their ships across great distances and has an little understood, almost mystical effect on its users. Upon arriving on Arrakis, Paul and the other members of the House Atreides realize that their being sent to the dessert planet is indeed a trap set by their arch rivals; House Harkonnen.

The indigenous people of Arrakis, called the Fremen, live deep in the dessert and harvest the spice melange. These people have a legend that tells of an outsider who will become the Muad'Dib; essentially the chosen one who will lead the Fremen. Dune follows the young Paul Atreides in his transition into the Muad'Dib and its' affect on him and his families fate in the galaxy.

Review:

Dune is often considered a classic of modern American science-fiction and this assertion certainly fits well. It is a long book, clocking in at roughly 500 pages and contains a lot of fake ecological tracts regarding the fictional planet Arrakis but this does not take away from the book in any significant fashion. The real trouble here is that some of the material in this book is of a 'Rated R' nature and questionably suited for 'tweens'. There are several scenes of murder and loads of sexual tension with one character in particular whose homoerotic feelings for his nephew come up multiple times in the book. Not that a book like Dune should be hidden from kids this age, but some of the content is questionable and may be unsuitable for certain children. All in all, a great book that older and more mature kids in this age group should enjoy.