Lummox has been the pet of the Stuart family for generations. With eight legs, a thick hide and huge (and growing) size, Lummox is nobody's idea of man's best friend. Nevertheless, John Stuart XI, descendant of the starman who originally brought Lummox back to Earth from a distant planet, loves him. John isn't about to let the authorities take his pet away and, with his best friend Betty, determines to save Lummox even if it takes leaving the life he's known forever. However, what John and Betty don't realize is that the survival of the Earth itself may depend on the true nature of The Star Beast.

An all-time great science fiction coming-of-age classic from seven-time Hugo winner and Dean of Science Fiction, Robert A. Heinlein.

Download the comprehensive Teacher’s Guide here.

Listen to the Robert A. Heinlein Roundtable 1 here on the Baen Free Radio Hour.