Looking for your next whole-class novel? Do students need book suggestions for independent reading requirements? Take advantage of National Science Fiction Day on January 2, and select one of Newsela’s top science fiction novels to share with them! Each one of our science fiction novel studies includes articles, videos, and lesson ideas to help students build background knowledge and make connections to their world, themselves, and other media.

• Individuality and the power of choice novels
• Society, order, and rules novels
• Innovation and invention novels
• Change, survival, and rebuilding novels
• Connection, compassion, and humanity novels

[Individuality and the power of choice novels](id-choice)

Key takeaways:

• These novels show that personal freedom can have pros and cons. Characters must decide whether to follow the rules or think independently and way the risks and rewards.
• Discuss how choice defines identity. These stories show that individuality comes from making your own emotional and moral decisions.
• Explore how when societies value sameness characters struggle to express their creativity, curiosity, and compassion.

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Novels that focus on individuality and the power of choice feature characters who learn to think for themselves. Students can ask how our choices shape who we become and how making independent decisions plays a role. Novels in this category include:

1. “Among the Hidden” by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Upper Elementary and Middle School)

This dystopian novel is set in a society where families are limited to having only two children. The main character, Luke, is known as a “shadow child,” an illegal extra child who must live his life in hiding to avoid repercussions from the government. 

Students can explore themes of family and government rules with resources like:

• An interactive video about how family structures differ around the world.
• An interactive video that explains what propaganda is.
• A nonfiction article about facial recognition technology and the privacy concerns associated with it.

2. “Anthem” by Ayn Rand (High School)

In this novel, a person known by the code Equality 7-2521 breaks free of their collective society and discovers the concept of individualism. Students can build background knowledge and skills while reading this novel using resources like:

• A comparison article that looks at the qualities of forms of government, like democracy, monarchy, or dictatorship.
• An opinion article that explains why some people resist technological advancements in society.
• An article that teaches students how to find the theme in a book or short story.

3. “Divergent” by Veronica Roth (Middle School)

In Roth’s dystopian novel, Tris Pryor finds out that she doesn’t fit neatly into one of society’s four factions and that she must keep her “divergent” status hidden to protect herself from the government. Students can explore more of the themes in this novel through articles on topics like:

• Comparing similarities and differences in the structures of democratic and authoritarian governments. 
• Contrasting the hallmarks of economic systems like capitalism, communism, and socialism.
• What neoliberalism is and how it emphasizes the value of free market competition.

4. “The Giver” by Lois Lowry (Middle School and High School)

Lowry’s dystopian novel follows Jonas, a young boy who discovers the truth about his emotionless society when he becomes the Receiver of Memory. Have students consider themes like emotions and Utopianism by exploring resources like:

• A video biography about author Lois Lowry.
• An article that explains the origins and development of the idea of a Utopian community.
• A video examining why having too many choices can become overwhelming.

[Society, order, and rules novels](id-society)

Key takeaways:

• These novels explore how rules can both protect and control a society. 
• Discuss how knowledge can be powerful. These novels show that reading, thinking, and questioning help us understand the world around us.
• Explore how curiosity sparks change. Characters in these novels seek to understand the world and reimagine what their societies could look like.

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These stories invite students into worlds with communities built on strict systems. Students can ask why societies create rules and what happens when people start to question them.

5. “1984” by George Orwell (High School)

Orwell’s “1984” is a dystopian story about Winston Smith, a European citizen who works for an authoritarian and totalitarian government. He becomes involved in the underground resistance as he gives in to his curiosity and desire for freedom. 

Students can build background knowledge on the themes in this novel using resources like:

• An interactive video about the origins and reception of “1984.”
• A biography about author George Orwell.
• A nonfiction article about TikTok’s privacy and data policies—and who’s watching students’ online behavior.

6. “The City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau (Upper Elementary and Middle School)

DuPrau’s dystopian novel follows two young adults, Lina and Doon, on their quest to solve clues and escape the City of Ember before it runs out of resources. Help students better understand the concepts in this story with articles on topics like:

• A group of billionaires who asked to pay more in taxes to offset wage and wealth gaps.
• How curiosity can improve memory and learning.
• An exploration of students fighting for what they believe in and how their voices have changed society over time.

7. “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury (High School)

Bradbury’s dystopian novel follows firefighter Guy Montag as he questions his society’s ban on books and decides if he should rebel against the system. Students can learn more about dystopia and Bradbury’s work with resources like:

• A video explaining how to recognize dystopia in fiction.
• A biography of author Ray Bradbury.
• An essay about why “Fahrenheit 451” is a scary story, despite its lack of monsters.

8. “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood (High School)

In Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” the main character, Offred, lives in a dystopian society where she must grapple with an oppressive, totalitarian government and suppression of her freedom and identity. Students can explore the importance of human rights with resources like:

• An interactive video explaining why “The Handmaid’s Tale” is an important novel.
• An article discussing German Jewish philosopher Hannah Arendt’s book, “The Origins of Totalitarianism.”
• An FAQ article that answers essential questions about human rights.

Note: This novel contains mature themes and is not recommended for students under high school age.

[Innovation and invention novels](id-invention)

Key takeaways:

• Think about how discoveries can have consequences. Curiosity can drive innovation, but without proper rules and oversight, it can also cause harm.
• Discuss whether technology can be humanized. Can the way people use machines or science reveal their empathy or ethics?
• Explore how humanity endures in futuristic settings. In these novels, compassion and responsibility are still central to each main character’s story.

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These stories focus on discovery, creativity, and the responsibilities that come with scientific or technological progress. While reading, students can try to answer what science teaches about humanity.

9. “Feed” by M.T. Anderson (Middle School and High School)

Anderson’s “Feed” explores a futuristic society where everyone receives brain implants to keep them connected to the internet 24/7, allowing them to ignore the crumbling society around them. Students can look at the more practical ways social and mainstream media affect their lives with resources like:

• An article that examines the information that social media platforms and search engines collect about users.
• A video that explains what fake news is and how it appears in the mainstream media.
• An explainer article on the concepts of consumption and consumerism.

10. “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley (High School)

In “Frankenstein,” a scientist creates an unusual creature, but things turn frightening when the monster gets a mind of its own. Students can learn more about the history of the novel by using resources like:

• A video biography about author Mary Shelley.
• A video that explores why “Frankenstein” is considered a classic novel.
• An article that examines how scientists in the late 18th and early 19th centuries conducted experiments to search for clues about life.

11. “I, Robot” by Isaac Asimov (High School)

“I, Robot” is a short story collection that discusses the ethics of creating humanlike robots and integrating them into society. Students can explore how the fictional robots compare to the ones we have in real life with resources like:

• An interactive video that explores how some older science fiction stories have now become science facts.
• An article that explores the job of designing robots for a living.
• An article that explores how students can be susceptible to peer pressure, even when the peer isn’t human.

12. “The Time Machine” by H.G. Wells (Middle School and High School)

In this novel, a scientist builds a time machine to travel into a futuristic dystopian society where he meets two new classes of humans: the Eloi and the Morlocks. Take a deeper look into the possibility of time travel with resources like:

• A video that explains situational irony.
• A video that explains verbal irony.
• An article that explores the theoretical possibility of time travel outside of science fiction.

[Change, survival, and rebuilding novels](id-change)

Key takeaways:

• Think about how adversity reveals character. When the main characters experience hardship, what qualities—like courage, teamwork, or leadership—do they show?
• Discuss the role of hope in survival. When the characters are in unstable situations, their determination, imagination, and hope help them keep going.
• Show how collaboration is key to success. In these novels, progress often requires characters to work together and use their collective strengths. 

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Characters in these novels face challenges and uncertainty. They must adapt, problem solve, and find hope in new beginnings. Each story focuses on how people adapt and work together when the world changes. 

13. “Dread Nation” by Justina Ireland (Middle School and High School)

In Ireland’s alternate timeline historical fiction novel, the main character, Jane McKeene, must fight zombies in the Civil War era. Students can explore more about zombies and other mythical creatures with resources like:

• A video on how to write a science fiction story.
• Tips from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on preparing for any emergency—even a zombie apocalypse. 
• A video that examines the “dark” side of media, where disinformation and misinformation can occur.

14. “Found” by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Upper Elementary and Middle School)

In “Found,” the main character, Jonah Skidmore, receives a cryptic letter telling him he is “One of the missing.” He and his friend Chip must embark on an adventure to discover what it means to belong to that group. Students can examine the possibility of time travel and alternate timelines with resources like:

• A video overview of the science fiction genre.
• A video that digs into the possibility of time travel.
• An article that explores the mysterious disappearances that happen in the Bermuda Triangle and why they might occur.

15. “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins (Middle School and High School)

In the first book in the “Hunger Games” series, we meet Katniss Everdeen, a teenager who volunteers to take her younger sister’s place in a battle where 12 citizens from each district of Panem fight to the death until only one remains. 

Have students build background knowledge on the novel’s themes by exploring content like:

• An interactive video that explains what it means to have “power.”
• An article exploring how members of a Thai coup group embraced the “Hunger Games” three-finger salute as an act of defiance.
• An interactive video that looks at the qualities of a hero.

16. “Mockingjay” by Suzanne Collins (Middle School and High School)

In the second story in the “Hunger Games” series, Katniss reluctantly becomes the leader of the fight against the Capitol government. Students can dive deeper into the world of Panem and build skills using articles on topics like:

• An article that explains what conflicts are in literature.
• The influence of writer Joseph Campbell’s theories on storytelling and filmmaking.
• The growing trend of fake Instagram accounts, or Finstas, for posting private, silly, or unfiltered content.

[Connection, compassion, and humanity novels](id-connection)

Key takeaways:

• Explore how empathy can make it easier to understand differences and create bonds.
• Discuss how our experience builds humanity. The characters in these novels grow through the relationships and choices they make.
• Consider how kindness can be a form of strength and how care and compassion can help the characters survive and grow.

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These novels explore the themes of empathy, relationships, and humanity—even when the characters aren’t human! Students can consider what it means to care for, learn from, and connect with others while reading.

17. “Kindred” by Octavia E. Butler (High School)

In “Kindred,” a Black woman named Dana, living in the 1970s, must travel back to the South before the Civil War to protect her ancestors and ensure her family line continues. Help students better understand the story by exploring resources like:

• A video biography about author Octavia E. Butler.
• An interactive video that gives reasons why you should read Butler’s fiction.
• An article that looks at the concept of Afrofuturism and how it’s presented in the media.

18. “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown (Upper Elementary)

In Brown’s novel, Roz the robot becomes shipwrecked on a deserted island and must build relationships with the animals there and adapt to the new environment. Students can learn more about robot interactions in the real world by reading articles on topics like:

• The different types of robots that exist.
• A robot tour guide named Persephone that leads visitors through Greek caves.
• How birds like penguins react to robots designed to look like one of them.

Turn the page on dull lessons with Newsela ELA

Tapping into student interest topics that align with your curriculum and state mandates is one of the most effective ways to keep them engaged and excited to learn, while meeting your educational goals. 

Newsela ELA’s Novel and Book Studies collection can help your students build background knowledge, practice in-context literacy skills, and explore diverse perspectives when you’re reading a whole-class novel or when they’re exploring books for fun.

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