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The polar opposite of a utopia is a dystopia. Young adult dystopian fiction novels are generally dark and gloomy, futuristic, and about people being oppressed when things go wrong. The best dystopian novels for teens have stories that depict humankind’s darkest sides, with slaughter, brutality, and people living in misery.
H Shamsi, book reviewer and founder of Book Nerdection, says, “Dystopian fiction explores oppressive or negative futures or alternate societies. It gives you what-if scenarios–environmental, political, or social–which often serve as a warning about the dangers of certain actions or beliefs.”
She adds, “Dystopian stories can encourage critical thinking in children and teach them about the potential consequences of certain actions. It is not necessary for children to deeply analyze the themes of dystopian fiction, but being aware of them can be beneficial.”
We have compiled a list of some of the best-selling dystopian novels for teenagers. Whether it is a pessimistic viewpoint or a crude depiction of life’s harsh reality, your children will be drawn in and read to the conclusion.
Top Picks
17 Best Dystopian Novels For Teens
1. Best Struggle Theme Novel: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
In this action-packed series, the nation of Panem in North America conducts the Hunger Games every year and calls for nominations from the 12 districts surrounding it. One boy and one girl in the ages of 12 and 18 are forced to take part in this deadly game, which does not assure that the participants will walk out of it alive.
This time it is sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who is representing her district and a survivor of death. Will she be able to make it alive in the end? You have to read this best-selling book to know. This video showcasing a reviewer’s experience tells you all you need to know about this teen fiction book series.
Do remember2. Best Alien Novel: Ender’s Game
Author: Orson Scott Card
Andrew Ender Wiggin is a child genius who is sent to a military school where kids like him are groomed through rigorous training to combat the hostile aliens’ attack. Growing up in the military school, he feels the isolation, peer pressure, and the fear of alien invaders. But, is he the soldier the Earth needs to shape its destiny? Reading this adventure novel will tell you this. Check out this detailed review video to learn more about the book.
3. Best Novel About Choosing Right: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Selection is a lifetime chance for a set of girls to come out of the caste system and live like princesses in the palace and compete to win the heart of Prince Maxon. However, this doesn’t seem like an exciting opportunity to America Singer, who loves Aspen, a guy from a caste below her. Will she embrace a glorious life with the prince, or will she ditch all the fortune that is awaiting her to be with her love Aspen? A good dystopian book for teens as it talks about the importance of choosing right. Here’s a review video that tells you more about this dystopian fiction for young readers.
4. Best Slavery Theme Novel: The Reader Of Acheron
Author: Walter Rhein
The story revolves around a small group of rebels who seek illumination through books, even though reading is forbidden on their land. Those who do not comply with the rule will have to pay the penalty of lifelong slavery. However, the rebels believe in creating a better world under the guidance of their mysterious leader, The Reader Of Acheron. This is one of the best teen rebellion novels for young readers.
5. Best New York Times Best-Selling Novel: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
The story is set in Chicago, where a dystopian society is divided into five different factions based on the virtue an individual cultivates: Candor (the honest), Amity (the peaceful), Dauntless (the brave), Abnegation (the selfless), and Erudite (the intelligent).
Every year on an appointed day, all the 16-year-old kids have to choose one of the factions to which they will devote the rest of their life. It’s time for Beatrice to make her choice, one that will surprise everyone.
Quick fact6. Best Futuristic Novel:1984
Author: George Orwell
Winston Smith grows hatred towards the Ministry of Truth, as he keeps rewriting the history with lies to satisfy their demands. But, he can’t think of anything for himself because he is under the surveillance of his master. This futuristic novel for teens depicts the dystopian events of the future world, showcasing the author’s literary expertise.
7. Best Survival Novel: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Fifteen-year-old June is born into an elite family in a wealthy Republic district and is groomed in the military circles. On the other side is fifteen-year-old Day, born in a slum and the most wanted criminal. Though they both are from two different worlds, destiny puts them on the same path. However, they cross paths when June’s brother Metias is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect in the crime. It is one of the best teen survival novels your child could read.
"Despite being a bit predictable, this book had me turning pages into the wee hours. It ended with an unexpected twist, not a run-of-the-mill boy-wins-girl scenario. The story is so engaging that you might leap to book two."
8. Best Apocalypse Novel: Angelfall
Author: Susan Ee
This teen dystopian thriller narrates the story of a seventeen-year-old girl named Penryn, who is all set to get back her little sister from the warrior angels of the apocalypse. She is ready to deal with the enemies to rescue her sister. Along her journey to San Francisco, Penryn will risk everything to save her sister.
9. Best Near Future Novel: Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman
A Bill of Life is passed in America after the second civil war, according to which a child remains untouched from the day of conception until the age of thirteen. Once they are between thirteen and eighteen years old, parents can decide to unwind their children, wherein the organs of the child will be transplanted into various recipients. However, three teens named Conor, Risa, and Lev decide to run away from the fate imposed on them by their parents.
"Reading "Unwind" was an enriching experience for my sons this summer. The engaging storyline captivated my sons, sparking insightful conversations. With its intriguing parallels to contemporary issues, it left us pondering long after the last page."
10. Best Novel About Vampires: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Allison Sekemoto hates the vampires that have taken over the city and are using humans as the blood cattle until she herself turns into one. Allison is forced to flee the city and find a legendary place where she believes can find a cure for the disease that has turned the entire civilization into bloodthirsty creatures.
Quick tip11. Best Novel Adapted Into A Movie: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Thomas wakes up to find himself surrounded by a few strangers. One thing that is common among all of them is that they have lost their memories and can only remember their names. They are surrounded by stone walls, and the only way out is to pass through the ever-changing maze, from which no one has ever made it out alive. This best-selling thrilling series has been adapted into a movie series as well.
12. Best Mysterious Novel:The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
Though the story is set in a Utopian society, it unravels dystopian events as the plot progresses. The story revolves around twelve-year-old Jonas, who is given a life assignment to take the position as the Receiver of Memory. Jones struggles to understand the new concepts he is introduced to, but will he be able to justify his role for the position? Read this dystopian society novel for teens to uncover the mystery.
13. Best Courage Themed Novel:The Darkest Minds
Author: Alexandra Bracken
In this teen dystopian adventure novel, Ruby wakes up on her tenth birthday to surprisingly find herself locked up in a garage, after which she is sent to a rehabilitation center. She thinks it must be something to do with the mysterious disease that she survived, but a lot of American children could not. Now, Ruby is sixteen, and she manages to escape the rehabilitation center to find a haven that is safe for kids like her. But, her long journey has many obstacles waiting for her.
"I soaked up every word of this dystopian book. It presents a thrilling tale of a girl's journey, sprouting from frailty to strength. The characters are fierce, the dialogues are pleasing, and the twists are satisfying. It's a captivating narrative that leaves a lingering sense of possibility."
14. Best Women Life Classic:Fire Country
Author: David Estes
The life expectancy in the post-apocalyptic period is low due to the toxic air circulating in a desert. Because of this, young girls are forced to bear a child once they turn fifteen or later. Siena is only fifteen and too young to be a bearer, but she hears rumors of a tribal group of women called the Wild Ones, who kidnap young girls and force them to produce children with any man. Siena is all set to uncover the truth of the tribal woman and the pretense of her father. Read this post-apocalyptic novel for teens to explore the journey of Siena.
15. Best Novel On Epidemic:Running Out of Time
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
The story revolves around a girl named Jessie, who lives in the village of Clifton, Indiana, where an outbreak of diphtheria is taking the lives of many children. Jessie’s mother sends her on a mission to get the vaccination for the disease, available in the world outside. Jessie, however, is unaware of the dangerous world outside Clifton and the challenges awaiting her. Will she make it back to her village before the children in her village run out of time?
16. The Secret Circle: The Initiation And The Captive
Author: L.J. Smith
New Salem, a small town in New England, is controlled by a coven of witches for hundreds of years. Cassie feels associated with a group of terrifying teens in her school and is unknowingly drawn into the secret circle. She falls for Adam, the mysterious leader of the coven, which puts her life in danger.
17. Best Prediction Novel:Brave New World
Author: Aldous Huxley
Loved by reviewers worldwide, the story focuses on the dystopian future world of genetically modified citizens and a society of intellects. The novel showcases how the future world will grow with the technology in the field of fertility, psychological manipulation, sleep-learning, and in bringing drug-controlled happiness. It is the vision of the author to make the reader understand how we are progressing to an automated world with artificial humanity. This is one of the best teen dystopian books you could lay your hands on.
How To Choose The Right Dystopian Novels For Teens?
Consider the following points to find the right novel for your teen.
- Reviews: Check the testimonials and recommendations of fellow readers to find suitable titles for your teen. You can choose from cult classics or explore niche names to find the right one. Many popular dystopian fantasy books for teens, such as The Hunger Games series, make for interesting reads.
- Theme: Consider different themes to find one your teen might enjoy. Technological control, collectivism and identity control, environmental and post-apocalyptic disaster, etc., are some themes you can explore.
Taylor Beal, a reading specialist, school administrator, and English teacher, says, “Many teens draw connections between dystopian worlds and the things they observe about the world today. Encourage your child to discuss their reading material with you, as studies have shown that children who make connections between the text and their own lives or the world around them are better prepared for the real world.”
- Language: Choose suitable books to help your child develop their writing skills and vocabulary, while improving their literary proficiency. They should be easy to understand yet challenging enough to help your teen grasp complex themes and ideas. Also, ensure the book does not contain inappropriate language.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can teens show interest in reading novels?
Teens who develop a habit of reading in their early childhood years might be interested in reading novels. They might even develop this habit during their teen years, which can continue to their adulthood.
2. What is the most popular dystopian novel aimed at teenagers?
Hunger Games is one of the popular dystopian book series aimed at teenagers. Other important literary works like The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, and George Orwell’s 1984 are also popular among teens.
3. What is the first dystopian novel?
We, the first dystopian novel written by Yevgeni Zamyatin in 1924, is a satirical novel written about life in a futuristic collective state. There were some other literary works dating back to the 18th century like Gulliver’s Travels when the genre dystopian was not in existence.
4. Do novels help teenagers to learn new things?
Reading is a great habit and a favor that you can do for yourself to learn and imagine new things. Novels are entertaining and interesting literary works for teenagers to acquire knowledge and information based on the genres they choose.
With so many dystopian novels available for children and young adults, it is challenging to know which ones will capture their curiosity and engage their imagination. This list of the best dystopian novels for teens includes books from both renowned and lesser-known authors and showcases their unique literary expertise. Each story has a gritty and interesting plot, well-rounded characters, and enrapturing narrative. Gift your little one hours of fun and entertainment and help them develop a reading habit by picking the best-selling novels you know they will love.
Infographic: Considerations To Make When Choosing Dystopian Novels For Teens
Inculcating reading habits, whether novels, magazines, or any other book, is good for teenagers. They may have their preferences and genres they might like to read. However, if you’re thinking of giving a dystopian novel, go through our infographic below to learn about certain factors you should be mindful of when selecting such books for teens.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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Wedetso Chirhah is a writer and reviewer who believes in producing high-quality content for his readers. He has compiled this list of the best dystopian novels for teens after an in-depth examination of the plots and reader reviews of various dystopian literature. He has also included a synopsis of each story to help you pick the right one for your teens.
