Science fantasy middle grade & YA books
Step aside, magic wands, because in science fantasy, it’s all about gadgets, gizmos, and some seriously mind-bending tech. Imagine stepping into a world where robots have more personality than your dog, time machines are as common as bikes, and secret worlds are just a glitch or a riddle away. These books mix the logic of science with the chaos of fantasy, making for an explosively fun concoction where anything is possible—as long as you’ve got the right invention up your sleeve. Whether it’s puzzles that defy physics or worlds held together by eccentric geniuses, science fantasy books invite you to break the rules of reality in the most entertaining way possible, often using nuggets of real science. So grab your goggles, hop on your Skimmi, and let’s see where the science leads us next!
The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith
The Big 5 Strange Energies are at the heart of the first book in the Quicksmiths series - Thoughtwaves, Skycrackle, Timeyarn, Wormholes, Slipstream, and the mysterious Aeon Light. Can YOU see Strange Energy?
The Myriad Mysteries of Eartha Quicksmith
Imagine if the Universe were dreaming everything backwards, or if each of its dreams were a new reality full of wonders. Multiverse marvels await you in the second book in the Quicksmiths series.
Dragon Pearl
A girl embarks on an intergalactic quest combining Korean mythology with space-faring technology to uncover the truth about her brother’s mysterious disappearance.
Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe
In a multiverse-shattering adventure, two friends harness cutting-edge science to patch up rogue universes and control a remembranation machine that's spiraling out of control.
Space Case
A moon base murder mystery takes twelve-year-old Dashiell on a high-tech investigation where space travel, virtual reality, and scientific discoveries collide.
The Last Gate of the Emperor
Yared's skills with futuristic tech and virtual reality games unexpectedly plunge him into a hidden world of Afrofuturistic legends and ancient kingdom-saving quests.
Eager
In a near-future where robots care for humans, Eager, a sentient robot with emotions, embarks on a journey to understand free will and morality in a tech-dependent world.
Glitch
Time travel goes haywire when two teens, trained as “Glitchers,” are tasked with fixing historical anomalies while navigating the dangers of rogue time travelers.
Trapped in a Video Game
Two friends are sucked into a virtual world where they must outsmart digital traps and glitches in a race to escape before the game's code reprograms their reality.
Finn and the Time-traveling Pajamas
A pair of time-traveling pajamas catapult Finn and his friends through dimensions, battling a paradox in a wild blend of adventure and quantum twists.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Genetically modified super-rats with advanced intelligence help a field mouse navigate scientific dilemmas and survival in this classic exploration of bioengineering.
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
A magical glass elevator turns into a high-tech spacecraft, launching Charlie and his family into an out-of-this-world adventure full of space hotels and quirky physics.
The Secret Keepers
A mysterious device capable of bending light pulls a young boy into a thrilling game of hide and seek with a powerful group, where science and secrecy hold the key to survival.
A Problematic Paradox
A teen genius at a school for prodigies must combine intellect and technology to save her father and stop interdimensional enemies from tearing apart reality.
The Roar
In a dystopian future where genetic engineering creates dangerous creatures, two twins uncover dark secrets about the tech-driven society that separates them.
Explore more through these book club lists: Books about Inventions, Books with Puzzles, Books about Music, Books about Reading.
Do you have a favourite middle grade or YA science fantasy book that belongs on this list? Don’t delay – leave a comment on the page or send a message to Loris via Thoughtwave Lens here!
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