Are you struggling to find good middle-grade sci-fi books for your kids? You’re in luck because today, we want to bring you the six best sci-fi middle-grade books your kids will love. Maybe you are looking for recommendations for yourself. After all, middle-grade books can be read and loved by all ages, so whether you are looking for yourself or your kiddo, we want to break down our top recommendations.
Dragon Pearl Yoon Ha Lee
Dragon Pearl is the space opera for those who love a dash of mythology. We follow Min, a 13-year-old girl who feels trapped within her home on her impoverished planet by endless chores, judgemental family members, and strict rules. One of which is never to use her fox-magic. She longs to leave, like her brother Jun, into the Space Forces to see more of the world. But when Min hears Jun is accused of leaving his post to go after a mysterious relic, she runs away to find him, clear his name, and find the relic herself. Lee expertly weaves sci-fi and Korean mythology into an epic tale, perfect for any tween.
The Wild Robot Peter Brown
You’ve probably heard the title floating around recently since The Wild Robot by Peter Brown was recently adapted for the big screen in September of 2024. In the book, we follow Roz, a robot who has found herself trapped on a wild, remote island. With no memory of how she got there, Roz must learn to survive by adapting to nature and befriending the animals. But just as it seems she’s figured it out and made some friends, her past comes back to haunt her, jeopardizing everything she’s learned to build. I heard the movie was just as good, so I definitely recommend watching it after you have read it!
The Giver by Lois Lowry
You can’t go wrong with classics! They are acclaimed for a reason, and The Giver is no exception. This dystopian middle grade follows Jonas, who lives in an idyllic community where no one asks questions and everyone obeys. People are assigned their jobs, life partners, and family. Everything is perfect. Or is it? Jonas soon discovers things are not as they seem when he is assigned his life assignment and starts as an apprentice to the Receiver of Memory. Knowledge is power, and Jonas must ask himself how far he would go to keep the facade when he learns the truth that shatters everything he believes about his world.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Miranda seems to have it all together. In sixth grade, alongside her best friend Sal, it feels like they can conquer anything New York City throws at them. It’s not until things start unraveling, like Sal cutting her off and finding a mysterious note with things written on it no one should know, including things that haven’t happened yet. The notes keep appearing, and with every note, Miranda is convinced a tragic death is coming, and she is the only one who can stop it.
While it’s no space opera or dystopian classic, When You Reach Me has an inescapable charm that readers of any age would enjoy. It was critically acclaimed with multiple awards, including the Newbery Medal in 2010.
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
Petra Peña just wants to be a storyteller. A comet has destroyed Earth, and only a hundred scientists and their families are left. Petra and her family are among the few left chosen to journey to a new planet. She wakes up 100 years later, only to discover she is the only one who remembers Earth. Something sinister has taken over the ship on the journey over, and now, Petra is the only one who can carry the stories of the past, of Earth, to the future. She is humanity’s last hope.
Not only is the cover gorgeous, but the story is even better. In terms of themes, it’s similar to The Giver but with Mexican folklore.
Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan needs no introduction. If you (or your child) have ever been a fan of the Percy Jackson books or any of his other series, I would definitely check out Daughter of the Deep. Inspired by Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, we follow Ana Dakkar, a freshman at Harding-Pencroft Academy, known for graduating the best marine scientists, underwater explorers, navigators, and naval warriors. Ana is excited for the weekend trial at sea, an end-of-year tradition for the freshman, but on the bust ride there, the students witness a terrible tragedy that changes Ana’s life forever.
This book is perfect for those who are interested in marine science or just love the ocean. It’s a refreshing departure from Riordan’s usual gods and monsters urban fantasy series, so I recommend it!
While this is not an exhaustive list, we hope you enjoy these six recommendations or it helps you further explore the genre of these authors. What middle-grade sci-fi books do you love? Tell us over on our socials!
Want to see the 10 Best New Middle-Grade Books of 2024? click here!
Check out Boostr’s Middle-Grade Bookshelf here for even more recommendations!
