Tunnel in the Sky

Rod Walker wants to study exobiology after leaving highschool, leading to an exciting life exploring planets which can be reached almost instantaneously through "gates". He can get extra credit for that by taking the highschool's Advanced Survival course, whose final test is for the student to be dropped off in a strange planet, with any equipment he pleases, and manage to survive for a few days, when he will be picked up. Unfortunately Rod and his classmates, are NOT picked up, something has gone catastrophically wrong with the gate technology and they are isolated for more than three years, in which time they must learn how to form a society while struggling against the environment with the pitifully few useful items they brought with them....

This is one of Heinlein's excellent "juveniles", and we get a cracking good story and Heinlein's obsessions are only lightly touched on. The strong plot and exciting events can quietly and gacefully carry his ideas about the form of government a society requires, or the fine balance of individualism and the needs of society.

A good strong forward thrusting plot, nicely sketched likeable characters, and an interesting background, all make for an enjoyable pleasant light read. John Wayne would approve of these kids!