SOLVED. YA Sci-Fi Trilogy - Children compete in a yearly sports competition for great glory. [s]

[Allison]

The trilogy begins with the sports competition. Winning is a big deal and all the glory goes to the winners and they are flown away somewhere.

I read this around 1970 to 1973

Spoiler:




The next books in the trilogy detail that the winners are taken to another planet where it is hot and humid and the residents are giant slug-like creatures. They want strong kids as workers because the atmosphere is so punishing.

[Megan]

The details don't match up perfectly, but this sounds a lot like The City of Gold and Lead (1967). It is part of a 4-book post-apocalyptic/alien invasion series by John Christopher. Here is part of the synopsis from Wikipedia:

"The resistance charges Will, Beanpole, and a German boy, Fritz, to infiltrate a Tripod city by competing in a regional sporting exhibition. The winners are taken to the Tripod city in a pressurized dome astride a river. Inside the city, the boys discover the Tripods' operators, whom they refer to as the "Masters". Human males are slaves inside the cities and furnished with breathing masks to survive the aliens' atmosphere, but are rapidly exhausted by the stronger artificial gravity and must therefore be periodically replaced...."

Hope this helped!

[Rainbowheart]

The City of Gold and Lead for Megan's suggestion.

[Kris]

Allison, I notice your request is marked Solved. What is the title and author of your book?

[Allison]

“The City of Gold and Lead”

[Allison]

Solved:
“The City of Gold and Lead”
John Christopher

[Kris]

Glad you found your book, Allison. Thanks for the update.