  children of the atom is a 1953 science fiction novel by wilmar h. shiras, which has been listed as one of "the most significant sf & fantasy books of the last 50 years, 1953-2002."top 50 science fiction and fantasy books, list by the science fiction book club the book is a collection and expansion of three earlier stories, the most famous of which is the novella "in hiding" from 1948, which appeared on several "best sf" lists. the book's plot focuses on superhuman children with immeasurably high intelligence who have to hide their youth, and work from hiding in order to get along in the less-intelligent world. ==plot summary== in the novel, much of which was originally published in serial form in astounding science fiction magazine, hidden throughout a future america of 1972 are a group of incredibly gifted children &mdash; all approximately the same age, all preternaturally intelligent, and all hiding their incredible abilities from a world they know will not understand them.children of the atom - information on the novel and author wilmar shiras these children were born to workers caught in an explosion at an atomic weapons facility, and orphaned just a few months after birth when their parents succumbed to delayed effects from the blast. like the characters in the better-known x-men series, these children are mutants, brought together to explore their unique abilities and study in secret at an exclusive school for gifted children, lest they be hated and feared by a world that would not understand them. the oakland tribune described it in 1953 as "the invevitable adjustments and maladjustments of minority genius to majority mediocrity". in shiras' book, none of the children are given paranormal super powers such as telekinesis or precognitionâtheir primary difference is simply that of incredible intellect, combined with an energy and inquisitiveness that causes them to figuratively devour eve
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