Little Boy by Jerome Bixby (1959)
The story revolves around a young boy who is left behind on a deserted planet after his family's spaceship crashes. The boy must survive and find a way to communicate with Earth in order to be rescued.
By Jerome Bixby · First published 1959 · Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Adventure · 6,595 words
First lines
_There are times when the animal in Mankind savagely asserts itself. Even children become snarling little beasts. Fortunately, however, in childhood laughter is not buried deep._
He dropped over the stone wall and flattened to the ground. He looked warily about him like a young wolf, head down, eyes up. His name was Steven -- but he'd forgotten that. His face was a sunburned, bitter, filthy eleven-year-old face -- tight lips, lean cheeks, sharp blue eyes with startlingly clear whites. His clothes were rags -- a pair of corduroy trousers without any knees; a man's white shirt, far too big for him, full of holes, stained, reeking with sweat; a pair of dirty brown sneakers.
What this Textopian page supports
Little Boy is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jerome Bixby, dated 1959 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Jerome Bixby
- Date: 1959 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Adventure, Coming-of-Age, Thriller
- Length: 6,595 words
- Structure: 1 section, 164 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Little Boy by Jerome Bixby
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Little Boy?
- How does this short story by Jerome Bixby fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Almost Men by Irvin E. Cox
- The Last American by George Rippey Stewart
- The Man Who Was Six by F. L. Wallace
- Search The Sky by Frederik Pohl
- Referent by Ray Bradbury
- Im A Stranger Here Myself by Mack Reynolds
Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative explores a post-apocalyptic world, focusing on survival and the impact of societal collapse.
- Dystopian — The setting depicts a grim future where civilization has deteriorated, highlighting themes of violence and the loss of innocence.
- Adventure — The protagonist's journey through a dangerous environment involves elements of exploration and conflict.
- Coming-of-Age — The story centers on a young boy's transition from childhood to a harsh reality, emphasizing personal growth amidst adversity.
Tags
Science Fiction · Short Story · Nuclear War · Atomic Bomb · Childhood Trauma · Coming of Age · Dystopian · Existentialism · Fear of Death · Human Condition · Loss of Innocence · Moral Ambiguity