Sci Fi for Tweens and Teens Who Don’t Like Sci Fi
(Sci Fi on the Sly)Dr. Karin Perry
February 28, 2012
Science Fiction Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing
with imaginary but more or less plausible (or at least non-supernatural) content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities. Exploring the consequences of scientific innovations is one purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas".
Science Fiction Elements A time setting in the future, in alternative timelines, or in a historical past
that contradicts known facts of history or the archaeological record. A spatial setting or scenes in outer space (e.g., spaceflight), on other
worlds, or on subterranean earth. Characters that include aliens, mutants, androids, or humanoid robots. Technology that is futuristic (e.g., ray guns, teleportation machines,
humanoid computers). Scientific principles that are new or that contradict known laws of nature, for
example time travel, wormholes, or faster-than-light travel. New and different political or social systems (e.g. dystopia, post-scarcity, or
a post-apocalyptic situation where organized society has collapsed). Paranormal abilities such as mind control, telepathy, telekinesis, and
teleportation.
THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX by Mary E. Pearson About a girl recovering
from a terrible accident.
Sequel THE FOX INHERITANCE
AMONG THE HIDDEN by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Shadow Children series
Overpopulation Families can only
have two children Population Police
ARTICLE 5 by Kristen Simmons
The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.
There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.
ASHES by Ilsa Bick Girl with a brain tumor has
decided she has had enough treatment.
Goes camping in the mountains to “say goodbye.”
Electromagnetic pulse Some people are turned
into cannibalistic monsters.
Alex, along with a child she is stuck with, and a young Army veteran try to find safety.
ASHFALL by Mike Mullin HUGE volcano eruption Alex is separated from
his family when it happens.
Attempts to find them in the post-apocalyptic world.
Meets Darla Many dangers
BUMPED by Megan McCafferty In 2036 New Jersey, when
teens are expected to become fanatically religious wives and mothers or high-priced Surrogettes for couples made infertile by a widespread virus, 16-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony find in one another the courage to believe they have choices.
THE CARBON DIARIES 2015 by Saci Lloyd
Laura lives in the UK. UK has instituted carbon
rationing. Everyone gets 200
points a month. Swipe a card to do
ANYTHING (have to decide what is really important)
Extreme weather patterns
DELIRIUM byLauren Oliver Love is a disease. THEY have found a
cure. The cure is required
when you turn 18. Lena can’t wait. But, then she meets a
boy.
DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth
Dystopian Chicago People are split into 5
factions. Abnegation (Selflessness),
Candor (Truth and Honesty), Amity (Friendship, Peace, Harmony), Erudite (Scholars, Knowledge), and Dauntless (Fearless, Bravery)
At 15 you choose what faction to join.
Conspiracy
EVE by Anna Carey
The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.
GIRL PARTS byJohn M. Cusick Teens are isolating
themselves with technology. Sakora Industries has created
Companions- robots meant to encourage healthy bonds to treat dissociative disorder.
Rose is David’s Companion. Will having a super hot girl
programed to be forever devoted to him do any good?
Did I mention there can’t be any intimate contact unless Rose’s programming allows it?
THE GIVER by Lois Lowry Classic Dystopian society Jonas learns that
there is more to life than what he has been taught.
GONE byMichael Grant
In the blink of an eye, everyone over 15 disappears in Perdido Beach.
Struggling to survive is hard enough, but then some students start developing powers.
Good vs. Evil
HEIR APPARENT by Vivian Vande Velde Virtual Reality video
game. Heir Apparent Due to a malfunction in
the computer because of protests against the company, Giannine is stuck in the game until she wins. If she loses, she could die for real.
THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins 12 Districts 24 kids 1 arena Fight to the death
LIFE AS WE KNEW IT by Susan Beth Pfeffer Last Survivors Series Meteor hits the moon,
knocking it closer to Earth.
Devastation follows. Diary entries from
Miranda’s point of view.
MATCHED byAlly Condie
Cassia has always trusted Society to tell her what she needs to know.
Society limits people. 100 poems, 100 paintings, 100 songs, etc.
Society even chooses your Match (spouse).
Is there a glitch in the system?
THE MAZE RUNNER byJames Dashner Thomas wakes up in a
scary place. A group of boys
trapped with nothing but a maze surrounding them.
Will they ever find an escape?
Who put them there?
MICHAEL VEY: THE PRISONER OF CELL 25 by Richard Paul Evans Michael has been
bullied for years. He could stop it, but
doesn’t want to reveal his secret.
He can shock people. Someone is wants to
find him.
NEPTUNE’S CHILDREN byBonnie Dobkin
Isles of Wonder is a gigantic amusement park.
Thousands of children are there when a deadly virus sweeps through and kills everyone except the children.
They have to pull together to survive.
How far will King Neptune go to stay in control?
PARALLELOGRAM #1: Into the Parallel by Robin Brande
Audie discovers a parallel universe and a parallel version of herself, living the kind of life Audie never could have imagined. Now, Audie is living that life too, full of adventure, romance, and reality-bending science. It’s all more than she could have hoped for--until something goes wrong.
THE POWER OF UN by Nancy Etchemendy What would you do if
you had a device that would allow you to UNdo a mistake?
When Gib’s sister is gravely injured he tries to figure out what he needs to UNdo in order to save her.
PRISM by Faye and Aliza Kellerman A group of teens find
themselves trapped in a parallel world where drugs are illegal.
There is no healthcare. Medicine isn’t available,
sickness isn’t discussed, and everyone is scared.
The problem is, one of them is really sick.
How will they get her the help she needs?
THE RISE OF RENEGADE X byChelsea Campbell
Superheroes vs. Supervillains
Teen identity struggle Parent issues
THE RIVER OF TIME Series by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Waterfall #1 Cascade #2 Torrent #3 Bourne E-Novella
($.99 on Amazon) Tributary #4 (not
released)
SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal.
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.
TURNABOUT byMargaret Peterson Haddix A group of elderly
people agree to participate in an experiment.
Receive a shot that reverses the aging process.
Only two women are left alive and people are after them.
What happens when they become too young to care for themselves?
UGLIES byScott Westerfeld
Conformity Tally can’t wait until
she turns 16 and can become a “pretty.”
UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi
Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Exiled from her home, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will.
Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive. If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers
UNWIND byNeal Shusterman Chilling Story follows 3 teens
on their way to be Unwound.
The sequel, UNWHOLLY, is set to be released September 2012.
References Card, Orson Scott (1990). How to Write Science Fiction
and Fantasy. Writer's Digest Books. p. 17. ISBN 0-89879-416-1.
Hartwell, David G. (1996). Age of Wonders: Exploring the World of Science Fiction. Tor Books. pp. 109–131. ISBN 0-312-86235-0.
Sterling, Bruce. "Science fiction" in Encyclopædia Britannica 2008
http://www.writing-world.com/sf/sf.shtml