I blame the GIANT BRAIN for my total dependence on sci-fi as an adult. The bit with the mitochondria (in A Wind at the Door) really spurred me onward through a fourth-grade science project, but bugged me when I re-read it as a college student. I gave L'Engle a pass at the time, thinking that mitochondria must have been New when the book was written.

I tried to read the YA and adult fiction all in the same gulp, and I remember that I was also bitterly disappointed in the lack of unicorns in "Young Unicorns". I think I put this one down halfway through.

Thanks for helping me reminisce as well!