5 Fantastic Summer Reads for Youth (12-18)
By Tania Dooley
Updated: Feb. 9, 2022
If you like fantasy, science fiction, or the idea of different worlds in the far off future, then these are the books for you. I have categorized these five books as fantastic because they are fiction (fantasy) and describe imaginary events and scenarios that have our thoughts swirling with, "what if..." and "could this happen here?"
In literature this genre of books are novels, and are more formally known as dystopian or post-apocalyptic (refers to situations at the end or after the end of the world).
Below you'll find the book suggestion and a brief overview along with questions you might seek as you read. You will find a lot of suspense, plot twists, and just a great read in any of these - happy reading!
1) The Giver by Lois Lowry
This book is written by the point of view of Jonas, an eleven year old going on twelve. The setting is a futuristic society which is feeling the consequence of bad choices from a previous one. In this world there everyone lacks choice, and there is "sameness." Jonas has been chosen to receive an honored position in this society, he is to be the receiver of memories and that will be a big responsibility but will also open his eyes into a world before it turned into the one he is living in. How did this society turn into this? What went wrong in the past one?
2) The Maze Runner by James Dashner
This book is about a young man named Thomas who wakes up in a place called Glade. He doesn't remember how he got here and all he knows is as he looks around there is more going on than what he can actually see. Glade is encased by high concrete walls and beyond that wall is a Maze in which people have tried to escape to but no one has made it through alive. Will he get the courage to try? What will he find? Why has no one made it through alive?
3) Divergent by Veronica Roth
This novel takes place in a post-apocalyptic world in which citizens must fall into one of five factions determining their place in that society. This novel follows Tris a sixteen year old girl as she tries to navigate this world after finding out she is Divergent, a person who does not fit into any of the five factions, which can possibly endanger her in this strange place. Is Tris the only Divergent in this place? What caused her to become a Divergent?
4) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This book takes place in a different government system which is separated by twelve districts. Sixteen year old Katniss awakens on the day of reaping, a day which selects who will play in the Hunger Games. The goal of the game is that the contestants must kill each other until the last one is left standing. This is not a game anyone wants to play; it is a game used by this government as punishment - as a reminder of a district who organized an uprising against it. How did this society get to this point? What are the rewards for the victor in the Hunger Games?
5) Lord of the Flies by William Golding
This novel is about a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island and their attempt to self-govern. There is Ralph, the leader, not because of his intelligence or wisdom or strength, but because he has a lot of charisma. There is Piggy, he is the brains of the group, and there is Jack, the militant and hunter. Along with the other boys they simply trying to survive - or this there more? Over time some will turn into dictators while other into savages all in the name of survival. How does this end? At what lengths did they go to get power?
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| Image: Link Hoang via Unsplash |
If you like fantasy, science fiction, or the idea of different worlds in the far off future, then these are the books for you. I have categorized these five books as fantastic because they are fiction (fantasy) and describe imaginary events and scenarios that have our thoughts swirling with, "what if..." and "could this happen here?"
In literature this genre of books are novels, and are more formally known as dystopian or post-apocalyptic (refers to situations at the end or after the end of the world).
Below you'll find the book suggestion and a brief overview along with questions you might seek as you read. You will find a lot of suspense, plot twists, and just a great read in any of these - happy reading!
1) The Giver by Lois Lowry
This book is written by the point of view of Jonas, an eleven year old going on twelve. The setting is a futuristic society which is feeling the consequence of bad choices from a previous one. In this world there everyone lacks choice, and there is "sameness." Jonas has been chosen to receive an honored position in this society, he is to be the receiver of memories and that will be a big responsibility but will also open his eyes into a world before it turned into the one he is living in. How did this society turn into this? What went wrong in the past one?
2) The Maze Runner by James Dashner
This book is about a young man named Thomas who wakes up in a place called Glade. He doesn't remember how he got here and all he knows is as he looks around there is more going on than what he can actually see. Glade is encased by high concrete walls and beyond that wall is a Maze in which people have tried to escape to but no one has made it through alive. Will he get the courage to try? What will he find? Why has no one made it through alive?
3) Divergent by Veronica Roth
This novel takes place in a post-apocalyptic world in which citizens must fall into one of five factions determining their place in that society. This novel follows Tris a sixteen year old girl as she tries to navigate this world after finding out she is Divergent, a person who does not fit into any of the five factions, which can possibly endanger her in this strange place. Is Tris the only Divergent in this place? What caused her to become a Divergent?
4) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This book takes place in a different government system which is separated by twelve districts. Sixteen year old Katniss awakens on the day of reaping, a day which selects who will play in the Hunger Games. The goal of the game is that the contestants must kill each other until the last one is left standing. This is not a game anyone wants to play; it is a game used by this government as punishment - as a reminder of a district who organized an uprising against it. How did this society get to this point? What are the rewards for the victor in the Hunger Games?
5) Lord of the Flies by William Golding
This novel is about a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island and their attempt to self-govern. There is Ralph, the leader, not because of his intelligence or wisdom or strength, but because he has a lot of charisma. There is Piggy, he is the brains of the group, and there is Jack, the militant and hunter. Along with the other boys they simply trying to survive - or this there more? Over time some will turn into dictators while other into savages all in the name of survival. How does this end? At what lengths did they go to get power?
 |
| Image credit: Annie Spratt via Unsplash |
