Many teenage readers are drawn to dystopian novels because they offer an escape from reality — as well as a thrilling story! The epic tales unfold at a breakneck pace with plot twists and surprises at the turn of every page.
With relatable characters and electrifying plot twists, this genre deals with themes that teens always find appealing. Many titles explore topics like relationships, identity, first loves, and rebellion against authority, which hook readers into a good book about a bad future.
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The heroes and heroines are sometimes ordinary—sometimes extraordinary—young people who find themselves caught up in life-changing mysteries, often involving seemingly perfect worlds that are revealed to be anything but. These characters face overwhelming odds and must deal with the consequences of their actions, no matter how devastating.
Readers who loved the books in The Hunger Games series will be gripped by the fifth book in the epic saga. Sunrise on the Reaping revisits Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. Add this must-have story to your classroom library and use this free reading guide to spark discussion, reflection, and analysis.
Another current YA favorite is The Kill Factor by Ben Oliver. In the book, described as Black Mirror meets Squid Game, a brand-new game show offering 50 young offenders the chance of freedom has been greenlit. Little do they know, winning is their only chance of survival. The young offender with the most upvotes by the end is given both a second chance in society and a cash prize. For Emerson and her family, the prize is more than freedom. It could mean the chance to change her family’s circumstance and finally find a place in the society they’ve never been allowed into.
Explore more YA dystopian novels below. You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.