THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX by Mary E. Pearson (Henry Holt, 2008). Long after the accident, Jenna finally wakes from a coma with no memories. Who is she now, and how can she begin again? Does she have a right to? A compelling near-future story that will haunt readers long after the last page. Masterful. Ages 12-up. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION. Read The Story Behind The Story from Mary E. Pearson.
AMONG THE HIDDEN by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Simon & Schuster, 1998). In the not-too-distant future, Luke has to spend his days in hiding because he's the third child in his family. Why? The government only allows two. But then Luke catches a glimpse of an young face in a new neighboring house that he knows to be already home to two other kids. An unusually compelling and memorable read that takes a look at totalitarianism, the concept of population control, and the risky but sometimes important need to try to fight back. Accessible to young readers but still thought-provoking for older ones. Excellent for fans of darker fantasy. Ages 9-up. AMONG THE HIDDEN has seemingly kicked off a series of literary trade books (each labeled A SHADOW CHILDREN BOOK).
DANCING
WITH AN ALIEN by Mary Logue (HarperCollins, 2000). Branko's mission is to
find a woman to take home to his female-starved home planet so they can
help repopulate. Tonia is a simultaneously extraordinary and ordinary Earth
girl in the midst of first love. What she doesn't know is that if she agrees
to go with Branko, she'll essentially become a breeding machine—a
far life from the happily ever after she imagines. Romantic. Fans of TV's
Roswell will love this story. Ages 12-up.
THE DARK SIDE OF NOWHERE by Neal Shusterman (Little Brown, 1997). Jason, 14, is living one nice, dull life in Billington. At least until his friend Ethan dies (or does he?) of appendicitis, the girl-of-his-dreams Paula becomes his girlfriend, and Jason discovers there's something surprising in his heritage. Before he knows it, Jason and his parents are standing between the invasion of his new world by their old one. Kind of romantic but mostly action packed with a strong voice and some hard questions about being caught up in a racist, elitist, or group-thought mentality. Ages 12-up.
DOWNSIDERS by Neal Shusterman (Simon & Schuster, 1999). Journey with Linsay into Talon's world, the world of the Downsiders, built far beneath the city streets. A sometimes dark, surprisingly affecting update on young people from very different worlds and what happens when one world threatens to destroy the other. Ages 12-up.
ENDER'S SHADOW by Orson Scott Card (Tor, 1999). A companion book to ENDER'S GAME, ENDER'S SHADOW tells the parallel story of Bean, the cadet-trainee picked on by Ender in GAME. Turns out that Bean is even more brilliant than Ender himself. . . Ages 10-up.
SPACER AND RAT by Margaret Bechard (Roaring Brook 2005). Jack has lived his entire life at Freedom Station, a supply outpost run by the Company for those en route to the asteroid belt. His life is under control, and he has booked passage to finally meet relatives at the even more remote Liberty Station. Then he meets Kit, an "Earthie," which by definition means trouble. Worse, she carries a contraband maintenance "bot" named Waldo that the Company is seeking to get its hands on. Should he turn them in or help them and complicate his life? Margaret Bechard has created a "world" that will feel familiar and yet fresh, with engaging and compelling characters. Ages 12-up. Recommendation by Greg Leitich Smith. Read The Story Behind The Story from Margaret Bechard.
TRIA
AND THE GREAT STAR RESCUE by Rebecca Kraft Rector (Delacorte, 2002).
In this futuristic tale of the virtual and reality, Tria finds herself torn
from the safety of her pod and the companionship of her hologram best friend
Star. Worst of all, she's Outside. Taking refuge in a Back to Basics school,
it quickly becomes clear that her mom is in trouble, too. Can this scared
soul find friends and the courage in herself to save the world? A fast-paced
and action-packed story of bravery and building a new way of life. Rector
is a first-time author. Ages 8-up
Booklists: Young Adult Speculative Fiction (Fantasy and Science Fiction) from Library Booklists.
Futuristic, Speculative, Science Fiction and Dystopian Fiction for Young Adults by Jen Robinson at Jen Robinson's Book Page.
Golden Duck Awards for Excellence
in Children's Science Fiction Literature.
STRICTLY
SCIENCE FICTION by Diana Tixier Herald of Genrefluent
"The challenge of writing science fiction is to stay as true to science fact as we know it, to try to get the science part as right as possible, while getting the emotional life of the characters right as well. I also think it's important to remember that science fiction doesn't have to be depressing. YA science fiction often paints a very bleak picture of the future. I think science fiction can be hopeful. I think it can even be funny."
—Margaret Bechard,
Children's-YA Author