My son (now 18) had many of the same issues when he was much younger and Heinlain had much the same effect on him. We started with the "juveniles" (inc. Citizen of the Galaxy) and worked our way up to Starship Troopers and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. I only wish that Hollyweird hadn't made such a hash of the former. Ah well, at least it got people reading the novel.
I changed careers 3 years ago and started teaching at a college. What's really surprised me is that I've not had any students come through my classes who have read any of those books that I so loved as a teen. It's very sad. Both my daughters loved the same books I did and now this niece and my oldest granddaughter are as well. I liked the premise of this thread in order to expose kids to some really good stories!