Science fiction is a great genre for kids. It can help them think about the future and how we got to where we are now. The best science fiction is great for helping kids think about how things work, in general, and how they might change in the future as new discoveries are made and new technologies develop.
So here’s a list of some of the best science fiction books for kids. I’ve also included some notes on why I chose these books (and why they’re great).
Ender’s Game
This military fiction book is a must-read for any kid who likes to visualize the future, especially one where the stakes are high. Ender’s Game is set in a future Earth that has been invaded by an alien race, and the world’s population is divided into two camps: those who fear and hate aliens (Formics), and those who sympathize with them. The story follows Andrew “Ender” Wiggin, a gifted young boy who has been selected by the Formic government to lead their space fleet against the humans in what will be the biggest battle yet. It’s an exciting yarn that should appeal to readers of all ages.
Fated
Fated tells the story of young Alex Verus and his friends, Luna and Variam, who are all mages. There is also an evil mage named Richard Drakh that wants to steal something from Alex. To protect himself, Alex must first find out what Drakh is trying to steal.
This book has a lot of great information about how magic works in this world and why people do or don’t like mages, which makes it a good science fiction book for kids because many books about magic skip over these kinds of details.
It’s interesting to know how mages came into being in this world and also how they can be biased against because people fear them due to their power; this helps kids learn about good vs evil, prejudice vs tolerance as well as what can happen when you have power.
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a good way to introduce science-fiction to kids. It’s a story about wizards, so it’s full of magic and fantasy that kids love. The best thing about it is that it’s still compelling for adults. Anyone can enjoy the Harry Potter series! Plus, the books are easy to read, so your kid won’t get bored. Reading them will help them grow as readers and writers.
The other great thing about Harry Potter is how you can take it off the page and into real life by playing quidditch in your backyard or dressing up as a character from the book for Halloween (but don’t let Voldemort win). Reading with your kids also makes great memories for everyone involved! Thus, if you want to get your child to read science-fiction books, you should start them on Harry Potter first.
A Wrinkle in Time
A Wrinkle in Time is a classic science-fiction novel and a Newbery Medal winner. The novel tells the story of a young girl who travels through time and space with her younger brother, Charles Wallace, and friend Calvin O’Keefe to save her father. Along the way, Meg Murry learns to use her intelligence and self-respect to help save her family. This book is great for both boys and girls, so it’s an excellent read for your 7-10-year-old child.
Shine
You’ll want to check out Shine by Lauren Myracle. In this book, the story is set in a future where kids are assigned an adult when they turn 13. This is supposed to help them become productive members of society but has some unintended consequences like discrimination and unfair treatment. The book brings up important themes of empowerment and freedom from societal norms.
If you know a kid who likes dystopias or science fiction that explores big themes, this one is worth investigating. It’s for ages 10-14.
The Left Hand of Darkness
This is an absolute classic. Heralded as one of the most important works of science fiction and fantasy ever written, The Left Hand of Darkness follows a male ambassador from Earth who travels to an unknown planet where gender is fluid. Winner of both the Hugo and Nebula awards, this is arguably one of the finest novels in any genre. Touching on subjects such as gender roles, love, war and diplomacy, The Left Hand of Darkness is a truly ground-breaking story for both young adults and adults alike.
Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451, a dystopian novel by Ray Bradbury published in 1953, is one of the great works of science fiction literature. The book presents a future American society where books are outlawed and “firemen” burn any that are found. The book’s protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman who forsakes his career to become an outlaw and devotee of books.
The book has been adapted into several media, including film versions in 1966 directed by François Truffaut, in 2018 directed by Ramin Bahrani and starring Michael B. Jordan and Michael Shannon, as well as an adaptation for HBO released in 2018. Several graphic novel adaptations have been published, including one released by Hill & Wang in 2007 (ISBN 0-8090-9577-6). It was also adapted into a radio play on the CBS Radio Workshop in 1956, starring Frank Lovejoy as Montag.
Cinder
Cinder is the first book of The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer. It’s set in a futuristic world where magic and technology are used together. This book is about an android named Cinder who has to save the world from an evil queen. It’s part of a series, so it’s perfect for kids who can’t get enough of a good story!
The book is definitely worth a read if you enjoy science fiction or fairy tales, or really any book featuring interesting worlds that inspire you to think there are endless possibilities out there.
A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Any list of science fiction books for kids should include A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. The book is part of a series but can also be read as a standalone. It depicts an ordinary man who gets caught up in some very extraordinary events and adventures, including going into outer space and meeting weird creatures and beings. The entire story is narrated by the author, which gives it a unique voice and tone that will appeal to young readers in particular. Some serious ideas are introduced throughout the story, but these are done so in a humorous manner that makes them more palatable for children (or even adults). Hitchhiker’s Guide is one of those rare books that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike, making it a good introduction to science fiction.
Books are fun!
Do you know someone who loves reading? Whether it’s your kids or someone else’s, there are a lot of reasons why loving to read is a good thing. Reading is fun, and it can help make the world a better place.
Reading opens up the worlds of imagination and makes them come alive. It helps us learn. We can use reading to explore other cultures and get new ideas about how we can change the world for the better.
