15 Terrific Middle Grade Science Fiction Books

Yared Heywat lives in Addis Prime, a rundown reimagined Ethiopian city. Yared is a frequent competitor in an augmented reality game set in the city, sometimes ditching school — much to Uncle Moti’s chagrin. But just when he seems to be getting the upper hand, the game rules change and Yared has to sign in using his real name. Halfway through the game Yared is suddenly being pursued by real-life law enforcement simply for being Yared. Forced to join forces with his rival, a girl called the Ibis, Yared and his pet bionic lioness have to get to the bottom of the attack and in the process learn some shocking information about Yared’s identity. Last Gate of the Emperor is a propulsive sci-fi adventure set in an Afrofuturistic city, perfect for fans of The Black Panther‘s Wakanda. Ages 9+

On her 12th half birthday, her parents surprisingly gift her their approval to post on social networks. Thrilled, Harper starts posting TikTok videos like her idol, Blake Riley. When Harper tries a TikTok filter, that, combined with a wish to be 22, suddenly makes her 22! Unfortunately, her future is much different than she imagined. Her little sister is now a teen (aww!). She’s now working for Blake Riley (yay), and so is popular girl Celia, who she’s now friends with. But she and Ava have lost touch as have she and her childhood friend and crush. Is being 22 as great as she imagined? Or will she just want her old life back? And can she even get it back? Or is it too late? 12 to 22: POV You Wake Up in the Future is a charming, light, feel-good story about time travel, social media, and treasuring friendships.

Sweet Michael Rosario is shy and anxious about Y2K. The only bright spot in his life besides his doting but BUSY (working three jobs) single mother is his babysitter, Gibby, whom he might have a crush on. One day, Gibby and Michael spot an unusually dressed teenager hanging around their housing complex, and after a confrontation, they realize he’s a time traveler from the future named Ridge. This is a brilliant, highly readable middle grade book from the QUEEN of character-driven middle grade literature. This expansive sci-fi feels at once introspective and cinematic, leaping off the page like something made for a movie. Entrada is gifted at conjuring fully formed characters whose fears and inner lives are wholly and sensitively rendered. Ages 10+

Ike Pressure is an Army Brat living in Mercury, Nevada. His parents are both in the military even though he isnt sure exactly what they do. When Eesha, an old family friend, moves into the area with her parents and twin siblings, full of alien conspiracy theories, and Ike stumbles on an old radio with an intriguing code, the two kids discover that there’s more to Mercury Nevada than meets the eye. Don’t read the descriptions of this one — just dive in. It was so much more fun that way and this story is full of surprises. It’s short and not bogged down with too many descriptions or dialogue, which allows it to be propulsive enough and engaging for sci-fi fans and skeptics alike. Ages 10+

The unlikely foursome made up of a geek, a class clown, a teacher’s pet, and a slacker — Brenton, Sam “Snick,” Judy, and Kelsey, respectively — are bound together by one very big secret: the homework machine. Because the machine, code-named Belch, is doing their homework for them, they start spending a lot of time together, attracting a lot of attention. And attention is exactly what you don’t want when you are keeping a secret.

Ruby is an 11-year-old future entomologist who loves studying insects and playing video games with her neighborhood friends. When she sees a strange bug in her bedroom and shares a picture of it on social media, suspicious agents appear at her door to re-capture the now missing insect. Soon, all the metal in her neighborhood begins to disappear as Ruby and her friends realize there’s more to the strange bug. This was a lot of fun and will appeal to fans of STEM stories and books about robots. Ages 9+

A Rover’s Story is the story of a Mars rover (a robot sent to survey the planet, find another out-of-service rover, and help determine whether Mars is suited to human living. The story is told from several perspectives, including that of the rover (whose name is Res, short for Resilience) and Sophie, the daughter of one of the programmers who’s building the rover. After months of testing and tinkering in the lab, Res discovers that he’s experiencing human emotions. His twin rover, Journey, repeatedly tells him that robots should be logical, not emotional, so Res tries unsuccessfully to restrain his emotions. Finally, Res is sent to Mars with a friendly drone he calls Fly. But can he accomplish his mission? Or will his emotions get in the way? This is a fresh, heartwarming middle grade sci-fi book about family, science, coding, and robots. Ages 9+

When Rahim’s friend Kasia gifts him her newest invention, he has no idea that it’s a time travel device. Rahim ends up in 1997 meeting his father as a tween before he became the strict dad he is. Can Kasia get him back in time for dinner–and before his actions change the future? Hand this funny, suspense-filled sci-fi release to fans of time travel stories. Ages 10+

When his family moves in the middle of the school year, Stanley wishes he could be invisible because being the new kid is too hard. Then he’s caught in a spill during the science fair and his wish comes true: he’s invisible. There’s only one problem: the kid who made the potion is not pleased! Can Stanley escape his wrath? This is such a fun sci-fi graphic novel for kids who love funny books with plenty of hijinks. Ages 8+

Hana is eager to get meshed (i.e., getting a neural implant that connects her to the multiweb) but when her friends begin to get sick and other strange things start happening, Hana becomes suspicious of the big corporation controlling the neural implants. This is a thrilling combination of dystopia and sci-fi, perfect for fans of high action science fiction. Ages 10+

This charming illustrated book about a robot who ends up in the wild and survives by building community and caring for others is heartwarming but also surprisingly suspenseful and full of adventure. Soon to be a major motion picture, this would make a delightful readaloud for kids ages 7 and up.

I was skeptical (as I am of all superhero stories) of this book, especially because I thought it was more supernatural than sci-fi. But I’m happy to report that I was hooked from the very first chapter of its audiobook. Coal is a foster kid taken in by the boisterous McKay family when his foster parent has a mental breakdown. Not long after, he realizes that his skin has camouflaging abilities, essentially making him invisible. This is more than a superhero origin story with plenty of family humor (for fans of The Vanderbeekers), lots of male friendship banter, musings on the foster care system, and a heartwarming ode to Black history and culture. I can’t wait for book two, and I expect young, hesitant readers to love this if they crack open the first couple of pages. Ages 11+

Cadets Regan Fitz and Elliot Mason are two “Glitchers” in an academy for learning how to time travel and stop “Butterflies”—rebels traveling through time to change history—from successfully changing American history. Regan is the daughter of the school principal, and Elliot can’t stand her because he thinks she’s a snob. But when a letter from future Regan with a warning about the future threatens to disrupt his career plans, Elliot must team up with Regan to prevent a future disaster. Glitch is a thrilling, sci-fi time travel romp anchored by two formidable protagonists, their burgeoning unlikely friendship, and the United States’s turbulent history. Ages 9+

Cora is a 12-year-old autistic girl struggling to find her place when she becomes friends with Adrien the son of the CEO of a tech company where her older brother works. Cora is enthralled by the holograms of humans the company makes, despite Adrien’s disdain for them. She doesn’t understand Adrien’s feelings until a tragic accident reveals the sinister workings of Adrien’s father’s company. This book is fast-paced and full of engaging sci-fi elements, all while exploring the beauty of genuine friendships and life with a neurodivergent brain. Ages 9+

What if Nazi Germany won WWII? That’s the chilling question this time-travel thriller explores. Two sets of a friendship trio — one in 2023 and the other in 1944 — discover that they can communicate over a radio device present in both timelines. As the two groups figure out the differences in their timelines while trying to avoid making any changes to history, they discover that they’ve unwittingly made an enormously impactful change with shocking consequences. Westfallen is a chilling exploration of a terrifying alternate reality for fans of high-action time travel fiction. Ages 10+