fantasy & science fiction

Grades 7-9

The Giver

By Lois Lowry

1993 - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly perfect community where everyone has their role assigned by the community elders. Things are peaceful, safe, and controlled. But when Jonas receives his own life assignment and starts working with the mysterious Giver of Memory, he begins to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. The more Jonas learns, the more he understands their peace and contentment is a lie that he must escape, even if it means risking his own life.

Keywords: Adventure, Community, Fantasy, History, Memory, Puberty, Sacrifice, Science Fiction, Utopias and Dystopias

Scythe

By Neal Shusterman

2016- Simon & Schuster

This is the 1st book in the Arc of a Scythe Series.

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the ‘art’ of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

Keywords: Apprentices, Death, Dystopia, Futuristic, Genetics, Social Engineering, Science Fiction

Content warning: Please note, this novel contains some scenes of fantasy action and violence. Please talk to your teacher if you have any concerns.

Six of Crows

By Leigh Bardugo

2015- Henry Holt and Co.

This book is apart of The Six of Crows Duology.

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone… He assembles a team: a convict with a thirst for revenge; a gambling sharpshooter; a privileged runaway; a wraith-like spy; a magician fighting to survive the slums; and a thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. This crew is the only thing that stands between the world and destruction—if they don’t destroy each other first.

Keywords: Adventure, Brigands and Robbers, Fantasy, Friendship, Heists, Magic, Teamwork