This teacher resource handbook provides a guide to science fiction books and themes for developing a secondary or university course on science fiction literature. The first section defines and examines the origin and reputation of science fiction writing. Section two provides a history of science fiction literature, including short biographies of the major writers from the 17th century to the present and annotations of their important works. Major themes of science fiction -- future prediction, aliens, man and science, journeys into the unknown, social criticism, detective thrillers, probes into human nature, and the evolution of man -- are examined in section three. Section four analyzes science fiction writing techniques and provides methods for evaluating science fiction stories. Teaching suggestions, classroom activities, and an outline for a semester course are also included. (Author/DE)