Science Fiction Novels for Teens to Ignite Their Imaginations
Some of our STEM-focused students aren’t drawn toward recreational reading, especially of fiction. Many prefer nonfiction or technical books. (Steph remembers trying to come up with interesting comments to write on a Reading Check-In about a dense computer coding book. Yikes.) Many don’t prefer typical YA fare. If we can convince our STEM-minded students to put down their coding books, we usually have our greatest success when we replace them with good science fiction novels for teens (usually for teens–see below), which combines their interest in science and technology with imaginative world-building and storytelling that can captivate their imaginations.
While we’re certainly open to them reading nonfiction, we do try to steer them away from the technical books, at least for what we’re trying to accomplish with our independent reading program. We want them to see and experience the beauty of fiction, develop empathy, broaden their worldview, and, selfishly, prepare them for the complex works of literary merit we’ll read and discuss as part of our course curriculum.
Unfortunately, perhaps because the genre requires some discussion of complex scientific concepts, science fiction novels for teens are hard to find. Yet we have a number of students who love science and math and who, especially by senior year, have a relatively advanced understanding of it. These students can (and want to) read books that include more science than simply a setting in space or that really qualify as fantasy or dystopia more so than true science-fiction.
When it comes to good science fiction novels for teens (especially juniors and seniors), we’ve encouraged students to check out books written for adults rather than targeted specifically at teens. There are some great options (that will also appeal to your non-STEM-lovers because a good story is a good story) that, fingers crossed, will show these students that getting lost in a good story is possible no matter where their interests lie.
Today, we’re sharing eight of our favorites! (Side note: though pretty tame compared to the content of some YA books, do keep in mind that these books include profanity and mature situations. As always, use your professional judgment and knowledge of your students to make decisions about what to share in your classroom.)
8 Science Fiction Novels for Teens*
(*Not All YA)
1
Dark Matter, Recursion, and Upgrade by Blake Crouch
Steph was dubious when she read her first Blake Crouch book (Dark Matter): a thriller based on quantum mechanics? No way will this keep the interest of a tried-and-true English major! But she was definitely wrong. Despite quite a bit of science talk, the novel really was hard to put down, and she really enjoyed it. Recursion tackles memory and time loops (or, for your science-minded students, neuroscience and quantum theory), and Upgrade explores genome hacking.
All three are fantastic reads that will appeal not only to your STEM lovers, but to any student looking for a good page-turner.
This is an oldie but goodie. Your students are probably very familiar with the popular movie series, but the original book has a lot more science in it (while still being a real page-turner). The premise of the novel (using fossilized DNA to bring the dinosaurs back to life for commercial gain) offers fantastic opportunities for discussions about ethics in science that will likely appeal to students more than the traditional English teacher selection for the topic, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Side Note: the opening chapter is very science-heavy. If you want to use this title for First Chapter Friday, you might want to select a different chapter or assure your students that once they get past it, there are plenty of the page-turning, gory dinosaur thrills they were expecting.
3
The Martian and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
You’re likely familiar with The Martian (especially since the movie came out in 2015), but the story of Mark Watney, abandoned on Mars by his crew and trying to figure out a way to get back to Earth, is riveting and feels plausible (though we’re far from aerospace experts!). By its end, the novel has become a community story, and in highly politicized, divisive times, it’s refreshing to spend time with humans working together to achieve an important goal.
Weir’s newest work, Project Hail Mary, tells the story of Ryland Grace, who wakes up hurtling through space, surrounded by his dead crewmates with no memory of how he got there. No spoilers here, but a twist occurs relatively early in the book that gives the novel weight and poignancy, opening up opportunities for meaningful discussions.
We’re veering away from pure science with this book, moving instead into the world of computers and video games. Still STEM-related, but with the bonus that this science fiction novel for teens appeals to a wide swath of YA readers.
Wade Watts, living in a dystopian 2045, spends most of his time connected to the OASIS, a virtual world created by James Halliday (a Steve Jobs-ish figure). When Halliday dies, he creates a series of puzzles within his virtual world: the first person to solve them inherits his vast fortune and control of the OASIS. Naturally, Wade joins the game, and the novel is full of action, twists, turns, and Easter eggs sure to appeal to students (or adults) familiar with early computer and video games.
Side Note: the 2018 film is dramatically different from the far-superior book.
Zevin’s novel took the book world by storm in the summer of 2022, and with good reason. It tells the story of Sam Masur and Sadie Green, childhood friends who create a blockbuster game, Ichigo, before graduating from college. They go on to navigate their relationship through a business partnership, fame, and the growing pains of young adulthood.
The connections to the gaming world may be a hook that attracts your students, but the novel is ultimately a beautiful story about friendship and a heart-achingly poignant look at the stage of life our students are on the verge of entering. It’s fantastic.
What science fiction novels for teens have you and your students discovered? What books should we add to our list? Reach out to us at [email protected] or on Instagram @threeheads.works.
If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to our monthly First Chapter Friday Nearpods: we send out FIVE free quick and easy First Chapter Friday activities each month that we think you and your students will love.
Looking for YA books to suggest to your students or use for your own FCF activity? Check out our YA book section for more recommendations.
