Mrs. Nelson encouraged me in reading Vonnegut, so I understand the feeling. However, I do feel that Starship Troopers is a better book for kids since they were the intended audience, and if it gets kids thinking about mechs, should we prevent them. I say no. We should encourage them in mecha be it Gundams, BattleMechs, or just some random guy piloting a warmachine that looks like a knight. Let us use education to encourage people in healthy habits such as love of giant warmachines.
Strangers in a Strange Land is a great book as well, but in many ways, I find the the truly overzealous fans of it miss the mountain for the mole hill. Then again, I'd rather see kids debate which ending of Podkayne of Mars is better. Then again, I'd probably be tarred and feather for an essay question on whether it is wrong to work full time and have children as well.
Also, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is such a fun book as well why does it have to be always Strangers. Just because a book was beloved by the Flower Children is not a reason to make it the penultimate book of one of the greatest science fiction writers of all times careers.
Bah!
Also, Mastergunz, you really should shift the references to Wolverines. It works on so many more levels with the avatar. You can easily put Wolverines to every conspiracy in Battletech including the Word of Blake.