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Young Adult Science Fiction for Beginners.

Some of my favorite science fiction novels and some that I can't wait to read! Science fiction has been one of the more difficult genres for me to get into and has in the past been the only one that I have avoided reading. My main problem is not understanding the science part of it, which is oftentimes integral the story, and not being able to comprehend, say, how the multiverse works, makes me frustrated and unable to enjoy the author's work fully. But surprisingly, one of my favorite books of all time fits into the very category, which made me realize that maybe I don't dislike the entire genre, I just haven't found the right stories for me yet. So I did some research to find the kind of science fiction books I would be interested in reading and compiled this list for others like me, (or even seasoned science fiction readers who want new recommendations) to find their next favorite book. I have organized the list with the easier books to get into (the ones with a lot of pictures) to the harder ones (the ones that have a lot of science in the science to fiction ratio). This way you can work your way up to the more challenging reads.

Oakland Public Library

10 items

  • On a Sunbeam

    Walden, Tillie, 1996-
    On a sunbeam is not only one of my all-time favorite graphic novels and one of my favorite books, but the perfect way to 'launch' your journey into the realm of science fiction. Mia joins a space crew that aims to rebuild ancient relics, but through…
    Graphic Novel, 2018New York : First Second, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press, 2018. — YA 741.5 WALDEN

  • Project Nought

    Furedi, Chelsey
    Project Nought follows main character Ren Mittal as he somehow wakes up in the year 2122 after getting on a bus in 1993.
    Graphic Novel, 2023New York, NY : Clarion Books, Harper Alley, imprints of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2023. — YA 741.5 FUREDI

  • M Is for Monster

    Dutton, Talia
    A modern retelling of Mary Shelley's Frakenstein through the form of graphic novel which explore themes of family, loss and identity.
    Graphic Novel, 2022New York : Abrams ComicArts / SURLEY, [2022] — YA 741.5 DUTTON

  • Paper Girls

    Vaughan, Brian K.
    While this might be the most difficult graphic novel in terms of the science involved, hence the place in the list, you wont be able to put down this graphic novel about time traveling paper girls.
    Graphic Novel, 2016–Berkeley, CA : Image Comics, 2016- — YA 741.5 VAUGHAN

  • Wilder Girls

    Power, Rory
    Wilder Girls tells the story of 3 girls at a boarding school put under quarantine following the outbreak of the viral disease known as 'the vox", and combines elements of horror, mystery, fiction in a dystopian novel perfect for your next science…
    Book, 2019New York : Delacorte Press, [2019] — YA FIC POWER

  • Warcross

    Lu, Marie, 1984-
    Another dystopian novel, Warcross is a superb pick for video game lovers, hackers, and everybody in between.
    Book, 2017New York, NY : G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2017. — YA FIC LU

  • Iron Widow

    Zhao, Xiran Jay
    Iron Widow bridges the gaps between science fiction and fantasy, and futuristic and historical novels. After an attempt to get revenge for the death of her sister, Zetian is labeled as the Iron Widow, a widely- feared pilot that is determined to…
    Book, 2021[Toronto, Ontario] : Penguin Teen, 2021. — YA FIC ZHAO

  • The Sound of Stars

    Dow, Alechia
    In a time when books, art, and music are outlawed, Ellie rebels by keeping a secret library. Teaming up with a a AI powered alien that has recently discovered a love of human music, she sets out on a roadtrip to save the world.
    Book, 2020Toronto, Ontario : Inkyard Press, [2020] — YA FIC DOW

  • Hell Followed With Us

    White, Andrew Joseph
    Benji is a 16 year old trans guy on the run from the evangelical cult that raised him...and turned him into a bio-weapon deadly enough to wipe out the entire population.
    Book, 2022Atlanta, Georgia : Peachtree Teen, 2022. — YA FIC WHITE

  • Skyward

    Sanderson, Brandon
    Spensa is a teenage girl that dreams of being a pilot in an age of near- human extinction, and after finding an abandoned ship that seems to have a life of its own, begins on a journey to make her dreams reality, starting with enrolling in flight…
    Book, 2018New York : Delacorte Press, [2018] — YA FIC SANDERSON

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