The Greatest "Science fiction, Teen & Young Adult" Books of All Time

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Science fiction

Science fiction is a genre of literature that explores the potential consequences of scientific and other innovations on society and individuals. It often features futuristic or imaginary settings, advanced technologies, and scientific concepts that are not yet fully understood or realized. Science fiction can encompass a wide range of themes, including space exploration, time travel, artificial intelligence, and alternate realities. It is a genre that allows authors to speculate on the future of humanity and the impact of scientific progress on our lives.

Teen & Young Adult

The "Teen & Young Adult" category in literature encompasses a broad range of fiction and non-fiction books specifically tailored for readers aged roughly between 12 and 18 years old. These books often feature protagonists and experiences that resonate with the challenges, emotions, and transitions characteristic of adolescence and young adulthood. Themes such as identity, romance, friendship, family dynamics, and self-discovery are commonly explored, with settings ranging from realistic to fantastical. The genre aims to provide a relatable and engaging reading experience, offering both escapism and insight into the complexities of growing up. While primarily targeting teenagers and young adults, these books often possess a crossover appeal, attracting adult readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories and the fresh perspectives of youthful narratives.

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  1. 1. A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle

    The novel follows the story of a young girl named Meg Murry, her younger brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe as they embark on a cosmic journey to rescue Meg and Charles Wallace's father. The father, a scientist, has been missing since he discovered a new planet using the concept of Tesseract, which is a wrinkle in time. Guided by three mysterious celestial beings, the children travel across different dimensions, face evil forces, and learn about the power of love and self-sacrifice.

  2. 2. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

    "His Dark Materials" is a fantasy trilogy that follows the journey of a young girl named Lyra Belacqua and her daemon, Pantalaimon, across parallel universes. Throughout their adventures, they encounter a variety of mythical creatures, confront religious and political systems, and grapple with complex themes such as free will, original sin, and the nature of consciousness. The series also delves into the mysteries of Dust, a strange particle integral to the multiverse's function.

  3. 3. The Giver by Lois Lowry

    The book is set in a seemingly perfect community without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, where everything is under control. The protagonist is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world. He discovers the dark secrets behind his fragile community and struggles to handle the burden of the knowledge of pain and the concept of individuality. He must decide whether to accept the status quo or break free, risking everything.

  4. 4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

    Set in a dystopian future, the novel revolves around a teenager named Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic nation where the government, in order to maintain control, forces each of its twelve districts to send a boy and girl to participate in a televised annual event. This event, known as the Hunger Games, is a fight to the death. When Katniss's younger sister is selected to participate, Katniss volunteers to take her place. The book follows her struggle for survival in the cruel game, against the backdrop of a brewing rebellion against the oppressive regime.

  5. 5. A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle

    In this science fiction-fantasy novel, the protagonist embarks on a time-traveling quest to prevent a global catastrophe. Guided by a unicorn, the protagonist uses a powerful rune to mentally leap through time and space, inhabiting the lives of different people throughout history who are connected to the present-day threat. As the protagonist influences the actions of these individuals, the narrative weaves a complex tapestry of interconnected events, emphasizing themes of family, love, and the interconnectedness of all things. The story challenges the protagonist to understand the ripple effects of actions across time, ultimately aiming to alter the course of history to save the world from impending doom.

  6. 6. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

    A 12-year-old genius and criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl, kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short, for a large ransom of gold with the help of his bodyguard, Butler, to restore his family's fortune. In the process, he discovers an underground world of armed and dangerous fairies. The fairies fight back with magic, cunning, and technological weapons leading to a high-stakes battle of wits.

  7. 7. The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

    The final installment in a fantasy trilogy, this novel follows the young protagonists as they continue their journey through parallel universes. They find themselves in the world of the dead, where they lead a rebellion against the oppressive authorities. Meanwhile, celestial forces are gathering for a final, apocalyptic battle. The young heroes must also confront their own destiny, which is tied to a mysterious object known as the amber spyglass. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the nature of consciousness.

  8. 8. Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle

    In the novel, two teenage brothers accidentally travel back in time to the era just before the biblical flood. Stranded in a pre-deluvian world filled with seraphim, nephilim, and other mystical beings, they find themselves embroiled in the lives and struggles of the people of that time. As they search for a way back to their own time, they encounter love, temptation, and the impending catastrophe of the great flood, learning valuable lessons about responsibility and the complexity of human nature along the way.

  9. 9. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

    Set in a dystopian future along the Gulf Coast, the story follows a young scavenger named Nailer who works on the light crew, stripping copper wiring from grounded oil tankers for a living. The world is ravaged by climate change, with rising seas and devastating hurricanes. After a brutal storm, Nailer discovers a luxury clipper ship washed ashore with a wealthy girl barely alive amidst its wreckage. Faced with the decision to strip the ship for its wealth or rescue the girl, Nailer is thrust into a high-stakes adventure that challenges his understanding of loyalty, morality, and his own survival. As he navigates through treacherous waters, both literal and metaphorical, he confronts ruthless enemies and forms unexpected alliances, all while dreaming of a life beyond the squalor and brutality of his current existence.

  10. 10. Legend by Marie Lu

    Set in a dystopian future where the United States has fractured into warring nations, the story follows two teenagers from radically different backgrounds. One is a notorious criminal, known for his intelligence and ability to elude capture, while the other is a prodigious student and soldier, working for the government in hopes of avenging her brother's death. Their paths cross when the soldier is tasked with hunting down the criminal, leading to a cat-and-mouse game that unveils a web of lies and corruption. As they learn more about each other and the dark secrets of their society, they must decide where their loyalties lie and what they're willing to fight for.

  11. 11. The Invasion by K. A. Applegate

    "The Invasion" is the first book in a science fiction series that introduces readers to a group of five young friends who stumble upon a crashed alien spaceship and are given the power to morph into any animal they touch by a dying extraterrestrial. This power is a weapon against an unseen invasion by a race of parasitic aliens who secretly take over human bodies. The friends, now with the ability to transform and the knowledge of the alien threat, become the unlikely defenders of Earth, facing not only the challenges of battling the invaders but also the moral dilemmas and the strain on their personal lives that come with leading a double life as part of a guerrilla resistance movement.

  12. 12. Scythe by Neal Shusterman

    In a future where humanity has conquered death and the world is governed by an advanced AI, the population must be controlled by Scythes—individuals entrusted with the power to take life. Two teenagers are chosen as apprentice Scythes and must learn the art of killing, but as they delve into their grim responsibilities, they uncover the corruption within the Scythedom. As they grapple with the morality of their roles and the political machinations of their superiors, they must decide what kind of Scythes they will become and how they will shape the future of their utopian society.

  13. 13. We Are The Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

    The novel centers around a teenage boy who is grappling with the grief of his boyfriend's suicide and the turmoil of high school life, while also dealing with the extraordinary burden of being periodically abducted by aliens. These extraterrestrials have given him the monumental task of deciding whether to save humanity by pressing a button. As he navigates his relationships with his family, potential new love interests, and bullies, he must weigh the suffering and beauty of the world to determine if it's worth saving, all while questioning the implications of his choice and the value of existence itself.

  14. 14. The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

    In a dystopian future where people have lost the ability to dream, leading to widespread madness, Indigenous people in North America are hunted for their bone marrow, which holds the cure for the rest of the world's dreamlessness. The story follows a young Indigenous boy and his companions as they navigate this perilous landscape, struggling to survive against the government "recruiters" who seek to harvest their marrow. As they journey through the ravaged lands, they must rely on their wits, their cultural heritage, and each other to retain their humanity against a society that seeks to take everything from them, including their dreams.

  15. 15. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

    In this gripping sequel set in a dystopian future, the story continues with the protagonist and her fellow victor reluctantly embarking on a "Victory Tour" across the districts, following their unprecedented win in the brutal Hunger Games. Their attempt to maintain a facade of compliance with the Capitol quickly unravels, revealing their subtle defiance, which unwittingly sparks rebellion across the oppressed districts. As the government seeks to regain control and quash the growing dissent, the protagonists are thrust back into a more sinister version of the Games, designed to eliminate them and quell the burgeoning uprising. Amidst evolving alliances and unexpected betrayals, the fight for survival becomes a fight for the future of their society.

  16. 16. The Maze Runner by James Dashner

    In this thrilling young adult novel, a group of teenagers find themselves trapped in a mysterious and ever-changing maze with no memory of the outside world. The protagonist, a boy named Thomas, arrives in the maze with no recollection of his past life, only to discover that he and the other boys are part of a sinister experiment. Together, they must work to understand the purpose of the maze, uncover the secrets it holds, and devise a plan to escape. But as they delve deeper into the maze and its dangers, they realize that escaping might not be as straightforward as they hoped, and the truth behind their imprisonment is more alarming than they could have imagined.

  17. 17. Ender's War by Orson Scott Card

    This science fiction novel follows a young prodigy named Ender Wiggin, who is recruited into an advanced military academy in space to prepare for an impending alien invasion. In a future where Earth has barely survived two conflicts with the Formics, an insectoid alien species, Ender is trained through increasingly difficult war games in zero gravity to develop tactics and leadership skills. As he progresses, Ender struggles with the isolation, manipulation by the military leaders, and the moral implications of his actions in simulations that become disturbingly realistic. The novel explores themes of leadership, the ethics of war, and what it means to truly understand one's enemy.

  18. 18. The White Mountains by John Christopher

    In a future world, the Tripods have conquered Earth and enslaved humanity. When thirteen-year-old Will and his friends reach the age of thirteen, they are faced with a choice: to be "capped" and controlled by the Tripods or to escape to the rumored free city in the White Mountains. Determined to live a life of freedom, Will embarks on a perilous journey, facing treacherous landscapes and encountering unexpected allies along the way. Will they succeed in overthrowing the Tripods and reclaiming their freedom?

  19. 19. Farmer in the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein

    The book is a science fiction novel that follows the story of a teenage boy who emigrates with his family from an overcrowded Earth to Ganymede, one of Jupiter's moons, which is in the process of being terraformed into a habitable environment. The narrative explores the challenges of pioneering on a new world, including the struggle to adapt to a harsh and unfamiliar environment, the need for self-sufficiency, and the dynamics of building a new society on the frontier of space. The protagonist must navigate personal loss, the complexities of adolescence, and the responsibilities of helping to establish a new colony, all while facing the unpredictable dangers of an alien world.

  20. 20. Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

    In a futuristic world inspired by Chinese history, a young woman seeks vengeance for her sister's death in a patriarchal military system where male pilots of giant Chrysalises, mecha robots used to battle alien mechs, are revered, but female co-pilots must sacrifice their lives to boost the males' psychic energy. She unexpectedly survives the fatal link with her sister's murderer, emerging as a powerful Iron Widow, a rare female pilot who can control a Chrysalis on her own. As she rises through the ranks, she must navigate a treacherous court intrigue, form alliances, and confront the oppressive system, all while unraveling the dark secrets behind the ongoing war with the aliens.

  21. 21. Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card

    "Ender's Shadow" is a science fiction novel that follows the story of Bean, a brilliant and resourceful child living on the streets of Rotterdam. After catching the attention of the Battle School recruiters, Bean joins a group of exceptional children who are being trained to defend Earth against an imminent alien threat. As Bean navigates the challenges of Battle School, he forms a unique bond with Ender Wiggin, the legendary commander, and becomes an integral part of Ender's strategic plans. With its intricate plot and captivating characters, the book explores themes of friendship, identity, and the consequences of warfare.

  22. 22. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

    This novel is a gripping tale set in the near future, focusing on a tech-savvy teenager in San Francisco who becomes embroiled in the aftermath of a terrorist attack. As the Department of Homeland Security begins to infringe on personal freedoms in the name of security, the protagonist and his friends use their knowledge of technology and hacking to fight back against the oppressive surveillance state. The story is a powerful exploration of privacy, freedom, and resistance, urging readers to question the balance between security and civil liberties in the digital age.

  23. 23. Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

    "Dragon Pearl" is a science fiction novel that follows the story of Min, a young fox spirit who dreams of leaving her impoverished planet and joining the Space Forces like her older brother Jun. When Jun is accused of deserting his post to search for the mythical Dragon Pearl, Min sets out to clear his name and find the pearl herself. Along the way, she discovers secrets about her family and the universe that threaten to unravel everything she knows. With the help of new friends and her shape-shifting abilities, Min embarks on a thrilling adventure filled with danger and discovery.

  24. 24. Powers by Ursula K. Le Guin

    "Powers" is the final installment in a young adult fantasy series set in a world where some individuals possess magical abilities. The story follows a young slave with an extraordinary memory who escapes his life of servitude and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, he encounters various cultures and belief systems, which challenge his understanding of freedom, power, and the nature of his own abilities. As he navigates political intrigue and personal challenges, he must come to terms with his past and decide what kind of future he wants to create for himself and others.

  25. 25. Fair Coin by E. C. Myers

    This novel follows the story of a teenage boy who discovers an unusual coin that has the power to alter reality based on his wishes. Initially, he uses the coin to make small, beneficial changes in his life, but as he becomes more ambitious, the consequences of his actions grow increasingly severe and unpredictable. The narrative delves into themes of identity, the nature of choice, and the impact of seemingly minor decisions on our lives. As the protagonist navigates the complexities of this newfound power, he learns valuable lessons about responsibility and the intricate balance of fate versus free will.

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download