Sci Fi for Tweens and Teens Who Don’t Like Sci Fi

(Sci Fi on the Sly)Dr. Karin Perry

November 5, 2011

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

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?

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

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 byVeronica 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

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?

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?

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 GIVER by Lois Lowry Classic Dystopian society Jonas learns that

there is more to life than what he has been taught.

UGLIES byScott Westerfeld

Conformity Tally can’t wait until

she turns 16 and can become a “pretty.”

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