Animal Baths by Bob Barner
11 October 2011November is National Novel Writing Month!
24 October 2011Top Ten Science Fiction Novels for Young Adults
Selected and reviewed by Children’s Library intern Alana Juric
1. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle: Meg and Charles Wallace Murry as well as their friend Calvin set out on an adventure across the universe to rescue their father from a terrible evil, aided by unearthly creatures. A wonderful book that can be read at many levels. A Wrinkle in Time can be found in the juvenile fiction section under J LEN.
2. Dune, a series by Frank Herbert: The story of Paul Atreides, son of Duke Leto, and his fight to free the desert planet Arrakis from the power of the cruel Baron Harkonnen. The world created by Frank Herbert in Dune is detailed and vivid, his characters are filled with complexities and traits that render them real. Dune can be found with the Science Fiction in the basement under SF H4151.
3. The strange case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson: When a reputable and kind doctor begins to take a mysterious drug of his creation the insane, murderous Mr. Hyde begins to appear more and more frequently… This thrilling classic explores the concepts of good and evil, while keeping you in gripping suspense. The strange case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde can be found with the fiction under F St484.
4. Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card: The boy genius Ender has spent all his life hating the hostile aliens known on Earth as Buggers and he excels in the special tactical training required to fight them, but his chance to destroy them may come sooner than he wants… It is a poignant novel, with many surprising twists and turns along the way. Enders Game can be found in the basement under SF C1758.
5. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams:One day Arthur Dent wakes up to find his house about to be bulldozed and the Earth about to be blown up by aliens. He then finds himself unwittingly aboard a spaceship accompanied by ex-hippie and president of the galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox; Ford Prefect, an alien from Betelgeuse 5; a paranoid android called Marvin and Trillian, a girl that once dumped him at a cocktail party, and that’s just the start of his troubles… Filled with hilarious ridiculousness, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy attempts to answer questions like “Where do we come from?” and “Why do we spend so much time in between wearing digital watches?” The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy can be found with the Science Fiction in the basement under SF AD171.
6. The Giver, by Lois Lowry: At the age of twelve Jonas is given a lifetime assignment as the Giver, the one who receives the collective memories of his community. But as his training goes on he learns the truth about his community’s apparent perfection. It is a thought provoking and touching story. The Giver can be found in the young adult collection under J LOW (YA).
7. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins: In future North America, children chosen from twelve districts are forced to fight against each other on a televised survival competition. Sixteen year old Katniss decides to take her sister’s place, but rebels against the system. A mixture of romance, philosophy, suspense and adventure in a distopic future still strangely similar to today. The Hunger Games can be found in the young adult collection under J COL (YA).
8. Uglies, a series by Scott Westerfield: In a world where everyone undergoes an operation to render themselves beautiful at the age of sixteen Tally Youngblood can’t wait for her turn. That is, until she is accidentally thrown in amongst the “rebels”, those who refuse to undergo the operation, and she learns the terrible secret behind it… The story is filled with plenty of exciting adventure and yet Scott Westerfield’s world echoes eerily with our own… Uglies can be found in the young adult collection under J WES (YA).
9. The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman: In analternate universe humans are accompanied by daemons, shape shifting animals that reflect their true nature. There Lyra Belacqua sets out to save her best friend and other children that have been kidnapped to become the subjects of gruesome experiments in the far north. A multilayered narrative where nothing is as it seems, set in a fascinating universe. The Golden Compass can be found in the young adult collection under J PUL (YA).
10. Red Planet, by Robert A. Heinlein: The story of a young colonist on Mars who encounters a strange round creature called Willis. His friendship with Willis gets him into trouble, but helps him to uncover the plots that surround the colony and negotiate a treaty with the Martians. A fun and enjoyable read filled with adventure. Red Planet can be found in the young adult collection under J HEI (YA).
