March is Reading Month: Science fiction takes you to different worlds

Science Fiction

Books in this genre are characterized by their look into the future and the fantastical technological advancements.

Generally, the main character has to battle some unforeseen side effect of technology.

Science fiction can take place on Earth or on some new, imagined world from the author’s mind.

Here are some of the best science fiction books out for teens.

“The Giver”

"The Giver" by Lois Lowry was published in
“The Giver” by Lois Lowry was published in 1993.

Senior Jordan Garza is a huge fan of this science fiction novel.

“‘The Giver’ by Lois Lowry is for anyone who loves science fiction,” Garza said. “This is the first book in a series, and the rest of the series takes everything you think you know and completely changes it in the next three books.”

“The Giver” was published in 1993, but is still impacting readers today.

The novel follows the life of Jonas, an 11-year-old boy who is living in a society that has claimed to have eradicated all pain, war, and hatred. However, as the book progresses the reader, and Jonas, discovers the truth.

In order to do this, the society has eliminated choice and made everyone the same. Families are put together, not out of love, but out of necessity. Children never meet their biological parents.

The moral of this story is that in order to experience the highs in life, you have to learn to deal with the lows as well. Being sad is a part of life, and you can either accept that or live life in a constant state of pessimism and depression.

“Across the Universe”

"Across the Universe" by Beth Revis was published in 2011.
“Across the Universe” by Beth Revis was published in 2011.

“Across the Universe” by Beth Revis was published in 2011.

The novel begins with a family trying to decide who will be frozen first.

Now, this may seem odd, but the family is getting ready to travel across the universe, literally. In order to survive the trip they will have to freeze themselves in cryogenic tanks.

Everything should go smoothly, but that is not how the book, or life, goes.

Amy is conscious the whole time. While she is frozen for 250 years, she is still thinking and dreaming, and hearing. She learns about the people who are operating the ship she is on.

And she had accepted that she would have to wait another 50 years to see her family again and finally meet the people who were responsible for the ship, until one day, inexplicably, her machine is turned off 5o years ahead of schedule.

As the ship’s crew goes through turmoil, Amy must find her place and adjust to a vast new world.

Revis wanted reader’s to listen to rules because they are usually there for a reason. Throughout the whole novel, one thing remains constant, the crewman always listen to the leader and it helps them survive.

Other science fiction books

  • “The Lunar Chronicles” by Marissa Meyer
  • “The 5th Wave” by Rick Yancey
  • “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card
  • “Divergent” by Veronica Roth
  • “Uglies” by Scott Westerfield