Materials for ages 7 to 11*
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Jonas lives in the perfect world. Since the sameness has come, there is no more disease, crime, or poverty. And this year is a very big year for Jonas- this is the year of the Naming Ceremony, where he will be assigned to his career. But something strange happens at the Ceremony, and the career that Jonas is assigned is one that will change him, and his world, forever.
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
After the Second Civil War, a treaty exists between the pro-life and pro-choice sides. The treaty is known as The Bill of Life, and allows for children to be ‘retroactively aborted’ between the ages of 13 and 18, but never before or after these ages. The process for aborting children is known as unwinding. For the main characters Connor, Risa, and Lev, there is little choice but to escape before their unwinding. Together, they travel across the country; their journey, however, does not always go as planned.
The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer
Cosmo Hill has been living at the Clarissa Frayne Institute for Parentally Challenged Boys. In Clarissa Frayne, orphans are used as test subjects for dangerous products. Cosmo knows he will die if he remains in Clarissa Frayne, and decides to escape. Cosmo ends up joining a interesting group of teens who can see supernatural creatures. They call themselves the ‘Supernaturalists’, and each evening, when the city darkens, they hunt the creatures. Soon, however, Cosmo and the others learn that the truth is far more complicated than it seems.
The Secret Under My Skin by Janet McNaughton
Blay Raytee is a work-camp orphan with little hope of escape. One day, however, she is selected for a special mission to assist the bio-indicator, who is a special guardian for the environment. Blay begins to uncover secrets of her past while assisting the bio-indicator, and soon uncovers some unusual abilities of her own which will change the world forever.
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Luke is a third-born child; in his world, families are only allowed two children. Luke must learn to hide, and is eventually forced to live pent-up in his parent’s house. One day, he glimpses a girl in the window of the house next door, although the family already has two male sons. Luke teams with the girl to demonstrate the worth of third-born children, and attempt to force the government to recognize them as legitimate citizens.
Shade’s Children by Garth Nix
Children of the future are forced to live in dormitories. Upon reaching the age of 14, their brains are harvested for use in the creatures of the Overlord. Trackers assist the Overlords in capturing escaped teens, and other strange creatures serve other functions for the Overlords- Wingers, Mymidons, and Screamers each have their place. A band of teens, however, have managed to live on the fringe and avoid capture. Shade, their friend and teacher, assists them in their struggle to stay alive; in return, they are to assist Shade in returning the world to its previous state. However, Shade is not what he seems, and Shade’s children are in for a surprise.
The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman
Honor lives in a world run by the Corporation, on the Island 365 in the Tranquil Sea. Her world is one in which violence and sadness do not exist, and Earth Mother and the Corporation have regulated the weather. The only problem is, she and her family do not fit into this world. As she studies in the Old Colony school, she uncovers the truth of what happens to people who don’t fit into this perfectly ordered world- and realizes that she must do whatever she can to save herself and her family.
The Kindling by Jennifer Armstrong and Nancy Butcher
In the year 2007, a plague has wiped out all adults. Soon after, the children left on Earth die from hunger and disease. Yet, in a town in Florida, a handful of young people have survived against all odds. None can remember their names, where they are from, or anything about their previous lives. When a new kid shows up and asks them to join him in his quest to find President in Washington, the children are forced to make a decision that will change their lives forever.
*These recommendations are given based on themes, vocabulary, and overall tone of the materials presented. However, these ages are simply recommendations, and users must use their discretion in deciding whether materials are age-appropriate or not.