Tag: science-fiction

The Mysterious Benedict Society

On By Linnea PsiakiLeave a comment

By Trenton Lee Stewart

Do you like solving puzzles? Do you like mysteries? Do you wish you were extraordinary? If so, then you will love this book.

Reynie Muldoon is no ordinary boy. In fact, he has already gone beyond what the orphanage can teach him and is now studying under a private tutor. So when he discovers an ad for a special test in the newspaper, of course he wants to take it (Why would he want to take more tests? Don’t ask me I hate taking standardized tests).

So Reynie takes the test. And then another one. And then another one (at least they seem more fun then the SAT). Finally, he meets up with the other kids who have passed, and their benefactor. They must embark on a secret mission that only they can succeed at. Though they may not know yet how important it is, their mission could determine more than their own futures.

Why should you read this book?

If you like word games or puzzles where the answer is hidden in plain sight, you will love this book. It keeps you on your toes, and it’s really hard to put down. The characters are really fun, and you genuinely want them to succeed. And this is one of those books where, in the end, all the pieces really come together. You’ll be excited to read the next one.

Who should read this book?

I have to admit, this is one of the books that still gives me goosebumps when I read it. It’s very suspenseful, and even when nothing bad happens, you still think that it will happen. Content note: most of the book takes place in a school where children are not treated wonderfully by adults. They aren’t being horribly mistreated, but this isn’t a happy place, and they’re under intense mental pressure. It can be a little frightening at times. I think this was a book that I stayed up all night reading because I was genuinely nervous about what was going to happen. I would say that 7th graders could read this book.

General Stats:

  • Genre: sci-fi/dystopian/mystery
  • Book 1 of 4
  • Age: 7th grade and above
  • My rating: ★★★★★

The Giver

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By Lois Lowry

What if you lived in a world where everything was orderly and the same. Where life was structured and you didn’t have to worry about anything. Your future was planned out for you. That is the world that Jonas lives in. At first, everything seems perfect. He is about have his future determined for him, when, well, it doesn’t happen. Instead, he is apprenticed to the mysterious Giver, an old man who seems to have far more than the rest of society.

As Jonas learns about the world around him, he begins to see his society in a different light. Why is everything so structured? Who determines the rules? And where do people go when they’re Released? When danger threatens his family, Jonas must put everything he has learned to use to save the people he loves, if love can even exist in this world.

Why should you read this book?

I first read this book when I was in elementary school and have reread it quite frequently ever since. It is an amazing work of science fiction and a great introduction to the genre. If you’re looking for a quick read and an interesting plot, this book is the right one for you. It’s fairly light, but begins to introduce some heavier concepts that you can think about.

Who should read this book?

There are some darker themes in this book, but it shouldn’t really be that much of an issue for most readers. I would recommend this to 5th graders and above.

Note: The Giver is the first book in a series, but the other books are very different to this one. They are a lot darker and more disturbing and are not appropriate for middle schoolers. So please do not go and read the entire series if you like The Giver. Please wait until you are at least in high school, and maybe talk to your parents about it first.

General Stats:

  • Genre: sci-fi
  • Book 1 of 4 – see note above
  • Age: 5th grade and above
  • My rating: ★★★★★

The Wild Robot

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By Peter Brown

An island in the middle of a desolate ocean. Animals going about their daily tasks. Life is normal on the island, at least, until a savage storm sweeps by. When the animals come out to survey the damage, something is different. They are no longer alone on the island. A robot has arrived.

At first, Roz the robot has a hard time fitting in. The animals are afraid of her and she doesn’t know how to interact with creatures that aren’t other robots. But as she learns to fit in, she makes unusual friends. And one animal might begin to change her “life”.

But as the months pass, it becomes clear that not everything is going to end happily ever after. Maybe Roz will have to discover her mysterious past to be able to save her animal friends.

I love this book so much. My mom read the entire series out loud to my siblings and me several years ago and we loved it. It’s a really good story (even though the chapters are really short) and they made a movie out of the first book.

Why should you read this book?

If you like science fiction, but you want something tamer and less technical or science focused, then this is the book for you. Even though it’s a book about a robot, it’s really a book about fitting in and making friends. If you like animals, you should read this book. The animals are really great. And funny. You’ll like them.

Who should read this book?

Honestly, this book is probably appropriate for everyone. A first or second grader would probably be interested. But, that does not make it a less worthwhile book to read. When my siblings and I heard it for the first time I think we were probably spanned 3-13 and all loved it. You should read it. You will appreciate it. Go read it.

General Stats:

  • Genre: sci-fi
  • Book 1 of 3
  • Age: anyone!
  • My rating: ★★★★☆

We’re Not From Here

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By Geoff Rodkey

Where would humanity go if there was no Earth? Mars, of course. But what if Mars wasn’t working out anymore, what if it was overcrowded and people were getting upset? In that case, Planet Choom might be the only option. With breathable air and welcoming aliens, it seems like the perfect solution. Until humanity actually arrives and find that in the years of travel, things changed on Choom.

The Zhuri (the aliens that rule Choom) no longer like humans. They also don’t like lots of other things about humans, such as emotions, humor, and singing. It’s up to one family to change their minds about humanity or everyone will die. Oh, also, if Lan doesn’t figure out how to stop getting in trouble, bad things might happen as well.

Why should you read this book?

It’s really funny. It’s also a story about family and love and the desire to fit in on an alien planet that with creatures who hate you. It’s a story about a kid who’s never going to go back to earth, who just has to deal with life on a foreign planet around creatures that aren’t like him. It’s a story that ultimately revolves around acceptance – acceptance of others, acceptance of fate, and acceptance of yourself.

Who should read this book?

Aside from the theme that Earth has been destroyed and most of the human race is dead, it’s pretty tame. There are a few parts that could be seen as a little disturbing or frightening, but overall it’s not a scary book. I would say that 5th graders and above could read it.

General Stats:

  • Genre: Sci-fi
  • Standalone
  • Age: 5th and above
  • My rating: ★★★★☆

The Fog Diver

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By Joel Ross

Have you ever read a book that disturbs you deeply, but you also want to come back to it over and over again? For me, that’s this book. I legitimately forgot that this book existed for several years and now I’m dying to read it again – it’s that good. The Fog Diver is the perfect mix of comforting found family moments, creepy lore, and dangerous missions. It’s the kind of book that will make you look behind even if you’re sitting in your own bed.

Hundreds of years into the future, the Earth has been cloaked with fog. Dangerous fog. Fog that can kill you. Because of this, humanity has moved to the highest mountain tops, where a hierarchical society has immerged, with wealth living at the top and the undesirables living closest to the fog. Crews on skyships scavenge the fog for anything of value, looking for a way out of the slums.

Chess, Hazel, Swedish, and Bea make up one of these crews. On the outside, they may appear normal, but Chess is hiding something and they are hiding Chess. From who, you might wonder. When the crew discovers a very valuable treasure, eyes higher up turn towards them, and some realize that Chess is more than just a fog diver – he might be the solution to their problems.

Why should you read this book?

This book has super solid worldbuilding and character building. It also leans really strongly into the found family trope, which I really liked. It has just the right amount of humor mixed with creepiness to make it an excellent book.

Who should read this book?

I would recommend this book to older middle schoolers (7th or 8th graders) as it does have some scary parts. In my recollection, the second book is scarier than the first one, but there are some creepy things about the book. If you’re easily upset or get nightmares, maybe don’t read this book. For me, I liked how the scary bits added to the book, but that’s totally my own opinion.

General Stats:

  • Genre: Sci-fi/Dystopian
  • Book 1 of 2
  • Age: 7th or 8th grade and above
  • My rating: ★★★★★

Eager

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By Helen Fox

How would you like it if robots were able to do all of your menial tasks, take care of you little sibling, talk to you, and even become your best friend? For Fleur and Gavin, that’s normal. They talk to the house, discuss philosophy with a computer, and rely heavily on their robot butler, Grumps. So when he begins to run down and must be replaced, they’re less than pleased. The replacement: the experimental robot EGR3.

Know as Eager, EGR3 can learn from his experiences and even feel emotions. Quite strange for the human children, who avoid him at first. But as Eager seeks out more knowledge and strange humanlike robots begin to act suspiciously, Fleur and Gavin might need to rely on their robot friend more than they would like. As their adventure unfolds, Eager must answer one vital question: What does it mean to be alive?

Why should you read this book?

This is one of the only sci-fi books I’ve read where the robots aren’t just servants or evil creatures trying to take over the world – they’ve been developed to feel emotions and respond like humans. Maybe I haven’t read enough science fiction (I definitely haven’t) but I really liked the way the robots were depicted in this book. The characters were also relatable (even with them being futuristic) and very enjoyable. If you like robots and technology and humor, this is the book for you.

Who should read this book?

One of the main plot points of this book is the strange humanlike BDC4 robots and how suspiciously they are acting. At times, the story gets creepy, or even down right scary. But overall, the book is not a scary book, it more explores concepts and ideas that could be slightly disturbing. I would say that 5th graders are old enough to read this book.

Series:

There are two more books after this one, Eager’s Nephew and Eager and the Mermaid. I have only read Eager’s Nephew, and though I liked it, it was not as good as the first one. I have not read Eager and the Mermaid, but I assume that it will be along the same content lines.

General Stats:

  • Genre: Sci-fi
  • Book 1 of 3
  • Age: 5th grade and above
  • My rating: ★★★★★

A Wrinkle in Time

On By Linnea PsiakiLeave a comment

By Madeleine L’Engle

It was a dark and stormy night. Aside from that, life wasn’t anything special , or at least until a mysterious stranger appeared on Meg’s doorstep and changed her life forever. Meg’s father is trapped somewhere far away in space, and he can’t return to them. This stranger offers a way for Meg, along with her brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin O’Keefe, to save him. The three travel across space and time by way of a tesseract and must face the dark powers that threaten the universe.

Why should you read this book?

If you’re not a big science fiction fan, either because you haven’t found something that you’ve liked or you just haven’t read a ton in this genre, A Wrinkle in Time is a great place to start. It was one of the first sci-fi books I read and the first that really piqued my interest. It’s not just a book about science or technology or space, it’s a book about family, friendship, and unconditional love. It’s a book about children who just want to save their father and put their family back together. Even if science isn’t your thing, there is a great chance that you will still love this book.

Who should read this book?

The only content warning I have for this book is that it can be a little scary at times. Not really in a way that should lead to nightmares, but it can be very suspenseful at times, and that’s not for everything. Aside from that, it’s very tame. I would say that 5th graders and even adventurous 4th graders should read this book (to be completely honest, I might have been as young as 7 or 8 when I read this – but I still love the books!). As for the rest of the series, books 2 and 3 are along the same lines, but I would wait a little longer for books 4 and 5 as they deal with older characters and mature concepts.

Series Info:

This is a 5 book series contain the books A Wind at the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time. Though all of them are centered around the Murry family, they are all very different. I would describe them as having different focuses (from history/mythology to biblical stories) but all being told from the lens of science fiction. A Swiftly Tilting Planet was one of my favorite books when I was younger, and Many Waters remains one of my most reread books – it’s so good!

General Stats:

  • Genre: Sci-fi
  • Book 1 of 5
  • Age: 5th grade and above
  • My rating: ★★★★☆

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8557561847