Sci Fi

'Science Fiction' is a loosely used term that means "stuff that is unlikely to happen anytime soon." If you wait around long enough, some science fiction becomes fact. For example, Jules Verne wrote "science fiction" in the 1800's about a manned trip to the moon. In 1969, it became fact, unless you are one of those wackos who thinks we faked the moon landing in the Nevada desert for who knows what reason. If you are, I'm not talking to you anyway. Everything is science fiction to you.

Alternatively, some science fiction remains fiction forever. "The War of the Worlds", for example, will never happen. There are no creatures on Mars who will attempt to invade our planet. No - such a planetary invasion will have to come from elsewhere. Bring it on, E.T.!

That said, some of the most prophetic ideas have showed up in science fiction first, from supercomputers to cloning.

These are the Best of the Best Teen Science Fiction novels.

1984 by George Orwell - Written in 1949 as a warning against totalitarianism, this book becomes more haunting each year as Orwell's visions come true. The extent and control of TV, the corruption of language, and the snooping of governments into individuals' lives are among the most chilling. You will never view traffic cameras or Facebook the same after reading this novel.

Anthem by Ayn Rand - Although Rand's books were her platform for preaching her ideology, she told great stories. In a future society that demands conformity, a teenager struggles to break free and think for himself. Controversially examines the consequences of creating a society that is too equal and too stable at the expense of individual achievement.

The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier - When people die, they continue to exist in a surreal afterlife "city" as long as any living person remembers them. The city rapidly depopulates when a plague wipes out every living person with the exception of Laura Byrd at an Antarctic station. The story follows Laura and those she remembers as they all try to cope with their new and disappearing reality. A haunting reminder of how connected people are. No Hollywood ending here.

The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke - Clarke is king of sci-fi, and this is his best story. Alvin is the first child born in a million years in humanity's last city of Diaspar. Humans have huddled there for a billion years, living nearly eternal lives but devoid of hope, afraid to leave the city. Alvin is different - he wants to go to the stars, and face the great power that drove humanity into hiding in the first place. The story follows his escape and journey, culminating with a startling and uplifting ending. A poetic mind-blower.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau - Teenage members of a future society live in a mysterious dark city with a murky past. Life is confining and predictable until the light-generating machinery begins to break down. As the city decays they must solve the puzzle of where they are and the way out before the food and light disappear. Much better than the sequels.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess - Few books have shocked readers the way this one did when released in 1962. Set in a dystopian near future, Alex is the teen leader of a sadistic gang that spends evenings committing acts of sickening violence. Captured by the state, he is "re-formed" through behavior conditioning, but further warped in the process. The author's invented slang is difficult to follow at first, but soon the reader is sucked into Alex' twisted thought process.

The Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman - Every teen feels like an outsider, but 14 year old Jason has good reason to feel that way. His parents are aliens, left behind after an abandoned alien invasion of Earth. His schoolmates are in training to use strange alien weapons, and his best friend has transformed into an alien being. However, Jason also learns that a human girl, Paula, loves him. The bizarre premise of the story keeps the reader engaged, but it is Jason's struggle to retain his humanity that shines.

Dune by Frank Herbert - One of the most well-known science fiction novels of all time, Dune tells the story of a power struggle on the desert world Arrakis for control of a spice that allows interstellar travel, psychic powers, and long life. Central to the story is the young nobleman Paul, who is cast into the desert to die. However, he rallies a group of desert dwellers to reclaim his rightful place as a Duke. Few have created a more realistic alien world than Herbert. Mind-blowing stuff.

Dustlands by Moira Young – In a post-apocalyptic future, 18-year-old Saba’s twin brother is stolen by black-clad riders. When tough-as-nails Saba launches a relentless search to recover him, she must fight for her life in gladiator cages, overcome enemies both creature and human, and learn to trust others for the first time. And try as she might, she can’t help but fall for the charming scoundrel Jack, who just may understand her more than she knows. The author tells Saba’s story in a raw first person format that blows you away. Must read for dystopian lovers!

Enchantress from the Stars by Sylvia Louise Engdahl - Elana is a member of a star-traveling civilization on a mission to a medieval planet, where she becomes embroiled in a local war. Her desire to help the Andrecian's, who still believe in magic, to turn back an invasion is complicated by her fear of revealing who and what she is. Complicating the story is Georyn, a woodcutter who believes that there is a dragon in the enchanted forest that he must defeat, and that Elana is an Enchantress to whom he must prove his worth.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - Young Ender Wiggins is recruited for a special academy that trains leaders to fight the aliens that have twice attempted to attack Earth. The training consists of zero-gravity war games between units of children, with the winners advancing up the proficiency ladder. The author tells all with frank brutality. Ender proves to be a master of the training games, and quickly ascends to leadership. The final fantastic twist is jaw dropping, making an outstanding book a classic.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - Seven generations have passed since the Return, a plague that reanimates dead humans into creatures that feed on the living. Teenager Mary lives inside one of the last enclaves of uninfected, protected by a chain link fence that surrounds her village. When the fence is breached, Mary flees the village with a small band of survivors. Their flight toward an uncertain salvation is both harrowing and revealing, as they try to determine if they are humanity’s last hope.

The Giver by Lois Lowry - Jonas lives in a utopian society free of poverty, crime, and sickness. The sudden realization that he is different from everyone else causes him to question his society's suppression of the individual. The exploration of his unique "gift" leads to conflict and alienation. When he discovers what has been sacrificed for that 'perfect' society, he must decide if he is willing to pay the price, or abandon his society. The revelation of the "gift" is a "Wow!" moment for the reader.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - Nations run by religion extremists are familiar, but what if that happened to you? In a near future former United States taken over by religious extremists, Offred is forced to be a surrogate mother for a powerful couple. She suffers the humiliating ownership of the husband and the jealous jabs of his wife while living as a virtual slave. Offred must determine if she should succumb to her role or risk everything through escape. Chilling tale of religion gone wrong.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - Dryly hilarious tale of Arthur Dent and his companions roaming the galaxy after the destruction of Earth. Arthur's many adventures are bound by the thread of a common question - "what is the meaning of life?" The narrative is aided by an acidly funny robot and the satirical informational entries from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. British satire at its best.

The House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer - In a book of futuristic fiction that seems more plausible by the year, the author portrays a near-future world where the U.S. and Mexico have ceded land to drug cartels in an attempt to stabilize their border. The story follows a motherless clone, Matt, born into this dark place as a pawn of the drug trade. As he learns about his world, sometimes through horrible events, he begins to seek escape from his desperate life. Well-formed characters bring utter realism to the telling.

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - Fascinating novel about the outbreak of a 21st century world war as seen through the eyes of Daisy, a 15 year old American staying with her cousins on a remote England farm. At first utopian, the kid's existence degenerates into horror as the war encroaches on the farm. Through the several month period covered by the story, Daisy grows from a self-centered girl into a determined survivor. This book will leave a mark on the reader for years to come.

The Hunger Games (Trilogy) by Suzanne Collins - In a future America where twelve impoverished colonies are ruled by a rich, totalitarian Capitol, teenager Katniss struggles to feed her mother and sister. Everything changes when Kat becomes a contestant in the Hunger Games, a death match between 24 teens representing the 12 colonies. Winning means glory and extra food for the colony. Losing means death. As Katniss survives against the odds, her selfless approach to the game make her a symbol of revolution - and a target of the Capitol. If she survives the games, she may not survive those who control it.

Jurassic Park by Michael Chrichton - Unless you have been in a coma since 1993, you have no doubt seen the special-effect drenched movie rendition of this book. Although ground-breaking for its effects, the movie lacked a few things. Like character development. And explanations. And meaningful dialogue. Have no fear. Crichton's novel fills in all the gaps about a theme park populated with dinosaurs grown from ancient DNA, and what happens when things go terribly awry.

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler - Dana, a young modern African-American woman, is repeatedly drawn back in time to protect a racist slave owner who might be her ancestor. Each trip proves longer and more destructive, stripping Dana of her soul and body little by little. This eye-opening view of the horrors of racism and slavery shows how easily one can become racist or a willing victim of it. Because the author is African-American, she brings a credible voice of barely suppressed rage to the story.

The Long Walk by Stephen King - King's first novel, it gathered dust for years before printing. In a future society where reality shows rule, 100 boys set out on a walk. The rules are simple: average four miles per hour. If you fall behind you get warned. If you get three warnings, the punishment is absolutely horrifying. To the last boy standing goes the spoils. The novel is striking in its prediction of the current culture's thirst for reality television, and foretold of King's greatness as an author of the gruesome.

The Necessary Beggar by Susan Palwick - Young Darotti lives in Gandiffri, a utopian land where no one goes homeless or hungry. After being accused of murder (falsely?) Darotti and his entire family are exiled to a another dimension that is a dark and troubling place - America. The story follows the family as they struggle with what they have lost, and what it means to be a refugee in a strange land. The author exquisitely describes the power of love and the importance of knowing oneself in this remarkable novel.

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman - In an alternate reality England, white-skinned people, called Noughts, are an underclass minority oppressed by a dark-skinned majority descended of Africans, called Crosses. Nought teenager Callum falls for Sephy, the daughter of a politically powerful Cross. As their romance grows, so does their safety in a society that does not tolerate racial mixing. When Callum's family is implicated in a terrorist act, the lovestruck teens face difficult choices. Regardless of your heritage, this story will lend you a new perspective on race and what it means to be human. Stunning!

The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Harrowing novel that follows a man and his young son through a burned and dying post-war America. With all plants and animals dead, the remaining people struggle for survival through often violent means. The power of the story is in the relationship between the father and son, as they cling to one another in their journey of hope toward the sea. Never again will you take for granted a warm bed or a can of fruit. Soul-shattering book that the reader will remember always.

Shipbreaker by Paolo Bacigalupi - In a near future where oil has run dry, grounded oil tankers are scavenged for parts by teenage crews. Seventeen-year-old Nailer works the dangerous duty, hoping to survive his job and his murderous father. When he discovers a luxury yacht wrecked by a storm, he faces a difficult decision: scavenge the ship to become rich, or rescue the sole survivor, a beautiful, wealthy teenage girl. His decision propels him into more danger, adventure, and love than he had ever counted on!

The Shore of Monsters and Fall of Darkness by David J. Nix - Five generations earlier, a horde of monsters nearly obliterated humanity. All males are dead or ruined by a monster plague; words like 'father' and 'romance' have lost meaning. When teenager Sky joins an expedition to the shore that falls apart, she must survive amongst the monsters that roam the ruins. She gets unexpected help from a very surprising source. Mystery, action, and romance follow!

The Sign of the Raven by Julie Hearn - While visiting his grandmother's house, Tom starts hearing voices in the basement that belong to residents of an 18th-century freak show. Entering the time portal, Tom finds himself part of their dark and unseemly world. Using modern technology, Tom attempts to free his new friends from their virtual slavery. Although the arc of the story is quite good, the authentic and sympathetic portrayal of the freak show residents is particularly riveting. Good and dark!

The Stand by Stephen King - Before Mr. King became the prince of horror he penned one of the all-time great good versus evil novels. A man-made plague has wiped out most of humanity. The few survivors, drawn by visions, congregate into one of two camps: one for good and one for evil. The two camps fight for the soul of humanity and the future of the human race. Although lengthy, the novel saves some tremendous twists and turns for the end.

Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden - In a fantastic coming-of-age novel, Ellie tells the story of the invasion of her homeland of Australia by a foreign power. She escapes to the outback with six of her friends, where they make plans to fight a guerilla war against the occupiers. Ellie tells the story with superb sensitivity and insight, which generates the power that makes a good story a remarkable one. The relationships amongst the teens are incredibly realistic, and the accounts of armed conflicts are riveting.

The Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen - While on a solo desert camping trip, Mark steps into a mysterious light beam and is transported to a strange and hostile world. As Mark tries to find his way home, he must employ every strategy he knows to survive the dangerous jungle and the wild creatures and humans who live there. As he transforms from slave to warrior, he grows in the process - even finding first love. Central to the story is the mystery of where he is - which is answered in a very surprising conclusion.

Uglies by Scott Westerfield - In a future society, a mandatory operation at age 16 wipes out physical differences, turning "Uglies" into "Pretties". The Pretties are allowed freedom to play, while the Uglies jealously await their turn. Ugly Tally has gotten into trouble that may forfeit her operation. The menacing government offers her a way out: find a group of rebel Uglies, infiltrate, and betray them. Tally agrees, but upon finding the rebels comes to understand the terrible price of becoming pretty.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - When the Murry's entertain a strange visitor on "a dark and stormy night," he brings news of their father, who had gone missing while studying wrinkles in time. The story follows the Murry children and a school friend as they travel through space and time in search of Mr. Murry. Twists and turns abound in a wondrous ride along the way. Unusual and magical, this novel contains layers of idea that appeal to all ages. It has held up well over the decades since it was written.

Z for Zechariah by Robert C. O'Brien - What's worse than being the last person on Earth? Sixteen-year-old Ann learns the answer when she finds herself a solitary survivor of nuclear war, wondering if she is alone in the world. After a year of solitude, she suddenly sees smoke from a campfire moving closer night by night. Is her long lonely nightmare ended at last, or does the approaching man represent a new level of terror? The tenseness of this novel is outstanding; you won't be able to put it down.


Best of the Rest:

2001: a Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.
Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke
Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert Heinlein
The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
The Duplicate by William Sleator
The Ear, the Eye and the Arm by Nancy Farmer
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
Fade by Robert Cormier
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Feed by M. T. Anderson
The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov
Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
The Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove
The Hour of the Horde by Gordon R. Dickson
House of Stairs by William Sleator
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
Interstellar Pig by William Sleator
The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick
The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
The Postman by David Brin
Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert a. Heinlein
The White Mountains by John Christopher
The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood