Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender’s Game takes place in a time when Earth is being attacked by alien buggers, forcing government agencies to breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers to fight. Ender Wiggin is one such boy. He is described as “brilliant, ruthless, cunning, a tactical and strategic master,” and he’s not even ten years old yet. Ender’s Game follows his journey: separated from his family to attend Battle School, he must learn to deal with isolation, peer rivalry, and pressure from teachers, not to mention his fear of the alien invaders. This book is full of surprises, suspense, packed full of battles and wars, and on top of it all, beautiful writing. 9:15
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
The Wild Robot is about Roz, a robot who finds herself washed ashore after a ship carrying 500 robots sinks in a hurricane. Roz is the sole survivor, and begins to explore her new habitat and home, full of animals and wilderness. The animals are leery of her until she adopts an orphaned gosling and becomes his robot mother of sorts, and the animals slowly begin to trust her. But Roz’s world is not safe forever, as humans eventually track her down and attempt to make her leave the island. As one review states, “this sweetly quirky fish-out-of-water tale will have readers contemplating questions about life, death, consciousness, and artificial intelligence.” And who can resist a story involving a loveable robot and the wilderness all packed into one exciting story?
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
When You Reach Me is a Newbery Winner that “appeals to readers of all types, especially those who are looking for a thought-provoking mystery with a mind-blowing twist.” The book takes place in real world New York City in the late seventies/early eighties. It follows two best friends, Miranda and Sal, who must unravel a puzzle including mysterious notes, missing items, the $20,000 Pyramid game show, and even some time travel! A Wrinkle in Time fans will love this story, with its “exciting, engaging mix of science fiction, mystery, and adventure.”
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Giver by Lois Lowry is a classic of my childhood and another Newbery Medal winner. Set in a world in which citizens are assigned to their partners and jobs, where everyone is obedient and doesn’t ask questions, there is no “conflict, inequality, unemployment, injustice...or choice.” But when Jonas attends the Ceremony of the Twelve, where all 12-year olds of the community will be given their predetermined Life Assignments, he is given a special assignment that requires him to meet with an old man known as The Giver. What he learns will shatter his worldview forever. This book is great for discussion—check it out!
House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
House of the Scorpion comes with many accolades and awards, including a National Book Award, Newbery Honor, a American Library Association Honor, and a Printz honor, to name a few. The story features Matteo Alacrán, a clone of El Patron, an extremely wealthy man with a huge opium empire and the morals to prove it. Throughout the story, Matt not only questions himself and the world around him, abut struggles to define his relationship and feelings towards El Patron. Matt's story is a thought-provoking tale of friendship, survival, and hope, engaging its readers from beginning to end. This is a must-read for any sci-fi lovers!
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien
In this Newbery Award-winning classic, Mrs. Frisby, a mouse, must move her four small children to their summer quarters, but her youngest son is too sick to be moved. Enter the rats of NIMH, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma! This book is will not only take you for a rollercoaster ride of suspense and drama, but it will tug at your heartstrings along the way. It is a fantastic adventure book, with wonderful storytelling and powerful themes of love and perseverance.
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
When the underground city of Ember was built, it contained everything needed for survival. Now, several hundred years later, the “storerooms are almost out of food, crops are blighted, corruption is spreading through the city and worst of all—the lights are failing.” Enter Lina and Doon and their friend Poppy, who soon discover pieces of an ancient parchment. Together they try to decipher the words from long ago to save the people of Ember. Worth the read!
Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
While walking home from school, Zita and her friend Joseph come across a giant hole in the ground with a red button inside. Zita presses it (of course she would), and Joseph is pulled through by… something! Zita follows (of course) and enters a new world of alien species. She finds out soon enough that she must rescue Joseph and get them both back to Earth safely. This graphic novel has limited text, but the illustrations are engaging definitely worth checking out!
Space Case by Stuart Gibbs
Space Case gives sci-fi a murder mystery twist! Twelve-year old Dashiell Gibson is one of the first humans to live on the moon! Raised on Moon Base Alpha, his group is known as the Moonies. Life on the moon isn’t as exciting as it sounds, however, since he and his fellow Moonies aren’t even allowed to explore the moon’s surface. But when a scientist turns up dead, Dash must help uncover the truth about the killer and his secrets. This book has so many wonderful elements—adventure, mystery, suspense, and even humor. It will be sure to please both young and old!
The Strangers by Margaret Haddix
The Strangers by Margaret Haddix is told from three perspectives: Chess, Emma, and Finn Greystone. Though they think they are normal siblings, when they hear of three kidnapped children with the same names, ages, and birthdays, the crazy coincidence makes them wonder! So when their mom leaves for a business trip, they are determined to find out the truth. Along the way, they must decode puzzling clues, complex codes, hidden rooms, and a dangerous secret. As one review states, The Strangers “blends adventure and sci-fi elements into an engrossing mystery. The kidnapping alone could have made a compelling mystery, but Haddix throws in secret rooms, alternate realities, and a cliff-hanger ending to raise the stakes and delight fans new and old.” Such a great book!