Science Gone Awry: Fiction for Teens

Anderson, M.T.. Feed. 2004. (YA Science Fiction Ander.M & YA CD Fiction Ander.M)

In a future where most people have computer implants in their heads to control their environment, a boy meets an unusual girl who is in serious trouble.

Crichton, Michael. Jurassic Park : A Novel. 1990. (Fiction Crich.M & YA Fiction Crich.M)

Planning to make a fortune by cloning dinosaurs, International Genetic Technologies, Inc. constructs a theme park featuring the cloned dinosaurs. But something goes wrong, the dinosaurs run amok…

Engdahl, Sylvia. Children Of The Star. 2000. (YA Science Fiction Engda.S)

When he rebels against the tyranny of the ruling scholars, Noren, a village boy is labeled a heretic and sent to them for punishment.

Farmer, Nancy. The Ear, The Eye, And The Arm : A Novel. 1994. (J Farme.N)

In 2194 in Zimbabwe, General Matsika’s three children are kidnapped and put to work in a plastic mine, while three mutant detectives use their special powers to search for them.

Farmer, Nancy. The House Of The Scorpion. 2002. (YA Science Fiction Farme.N & YA Playaway Farme.N & YA CD SCI Fi Farme.N)

In a future where humans despise clones, Matt enjoys special status as the young clone of El Patrâon, the 142-year-old leader of a corrupt drug empire nestled between Mexico and the United States.

Halam, Ann. Dr. Franklin's Island. 2002. (YA Science Fiction Halam.A)

When their plane crashes over the Pacific Ocean, three science students are left stranded on a tropical island and then imprisoned by a doctor who is performing horrifying experiments on humans involving the transfer of animal genes.

Halam, Ann. Taylor Five. 2004. (YA Science Fiction Halam.A)

Fourteen-year-old Taylor is still dealing with the fact that she is a clone produced by the same company that funds the Orangutan Reserve which is her home on the island of Borneo, when the Reserve is attacked and she flees with her younger brother and Uncle, the Reserve’s mascot.

Jones, Diana Wynne. Dark Lord Of Derkholm. 1998. (YA Fiction Jones.D)

Derk, an unconventional wizard, and his magical family become involved in a plan to put a stop to the devastating tours of their world arranged by the tyrannical Mr. Chesney.

Keyes, Daniel. Flowers For Algernon. 1966. (Science Fiction Keyes.D 1995)

Flowers for Algernon is the story of a mentally disabled man whose experimental quest for intelligence mirrors that of Algernon, an extraordinary lab mouse. In diary entries, Charlie tells how a brain operation increases his IQ and changes his life.

Pearson, Mary. The Adoration Of Jenna Fox. 2008. (YA Science Fiction Pears.M)

In the not-too-distant future, when biotechnological advances have made synthetic bodies and brains possible but illegal, a 17-year-old girl, recovering from a serious accident and suffering from memory lapses, learns a startling secret about her existence.

Shusterman, Neal. Unwind. 2007. (YA Science Fiction Shust.N)

In a future world where those between the ages of 13 and 18 can have their lives "unwound" and their body parts harvested for use by others, three teens go to extreme lengths to uphold their beliefs--and, perhaps, save their own lives.

Updale, Eleanor. Montmorency : Thief, Liar, Gentleman?. 2004. (YA Fiction Updal.E & YA CD Fiction Updal.E)

In Victorian London, after his life is saved by a young physician, a thief utilizes the knowledge he gains in prison and from the scientific lectures he attends as the physician’s case study exhibit to create a new, highly successful, double life for himself (See also the sequel, Montmorency on the Rocks).

Wasserman, Robin. Skinned. 2008. (YA Science Fiction Wasse.R)

To save her from dying in a horrible accident, Lia's wealthy parents transplant her brain into a mechanical body. (Book 1 of a series)

Werlin, Nancy. Double Helix. 2004. (YA Science Fiction Werli.N & YA CD Sci Fi Werli.N)

Eighteen-year-old Eli discovers a shocking secret about his life and his family while working for a Nobel Prize-winning scientist whose specialty is genetic engineering.

Compiled by Christie Chandler-Stahl

Updated August, 2009