12 Clean Science Fiction (Dystopian) Books For Teens To Read
If you are a parent looking for clean books your teen could enjoy, WE GOT YOU! With the input and help of my teens, we bring you this list of “12 Clean Science Fiction/Dystopian Books For Teens To Read.” For each book recommendation, we offer a review and a small overview of what you can expect.
My 15 year old son took the time to deep dive and give his perspective on each book so that you can see it from a teens point of view and how each book impacts.
We hope this list is helpful as you look to share great literature with your teens.
#1. The Giver
The Giver is one of my favorite books of all time, and the first book in the Giver Quartet. Narrating the story of Jonas, a young 12 (nearing 13), amid a totalitarian society called the Community, dominated by the concept of sameness. Everything is simple, the same, and dictated. You don’t feel emotion, can’t see color, don’t know what Music is, always wear things, eat, sleep, and have a variety based on what the rest of the community has. Jonas is different, even though he follows the society and will not question its rules for the peace and overall contentment they bring, he begins to find flashes of something new.
This difference ultimately affects his new job. He is to become the community’s Giver, the bearer of emotion, knowledge, and understanding. But will Jonas be prepared for the immense pain and heartache brought by knowledge that he and he alone can bear?
I read The Giver as a recommendation from several friends. Personally, this is one of my favorite books. It prioritizes theme and moral standards over action and violence, un-like most Dystopian/Sci-Fi novels. When you first get into the story, it seems rather dull and unfeeling. Honestly, it is very unemotional and non-descriptive for a reason.
I found the giver to bear extreme depth on the dangers and, of course, the subtle benefits of a totalitarian society, in which there is no need to worry or be sad, it’s all contentment and never a struggle. Life is simple. Lois Lowry paints an exquisite picture of the value of emotion and free will that God has gifted us.
In terms of content, there is one thing that readers can be aware of, and that is Jonas’s interaction with the elderly and helping them navigate life when they can’t. This includes bathing them, which I will say is extremely safe and inexplicit. The idea is simply to show that in society, one emotion is found and treasured: Trust. No swearing. Almost no violence, although the killing of characters is alluded to. This book is safe for younger readers aged 8 and up. I, as a teen, would recommend it to any of my friends in their teenage years or even in adulthood! It was one of the most impactful and valuable fiction books I’ve ever read. Lois Lowry is arguably the best of Christian authors in modern times.
#2. Gathering Blue
Our story begins with our main character, Kira, a two-syllable girl and a Member of the Village Keening for her dead mother before the beasts come and destroy the body. As Kira is disabled by a twisted leg from birth, she is worried that she will be cast to the beasts for inability to shoulder the work expected of every member. When her case is finally addressed, she has the good fortune of being selected by The Elders to repair the Story robe, a piece of clothing with the history of the world embroidered in it symbolically. Little does she know just how controlled her value is until she finds a disturbing truth in the sudden death of a friend.
Gathering Blue is the next book in the Giver Quartet. Gentle style, relatable characters, and amazing storytelling. Honestly, on my first time reading it, I thought it was good, but it fell short of the original Giver book. I found it less impactful and carried less significance to me. Opinions vary, but what I will say is this: you have to read the entire series together to get the overall moral goal. This one reflects on the theft of Value or Talents. Again, this only makes sense in the context of the other concepts.
This is also a very clean book. No real violence, although there is the insinuation and one or two times where another character hits Kira. And similar to the Giver, they discuss bathing a child who has not bathed in years. Although nothing more than an insinuation. There is no swearing, but there is one reference to Ammonia, which is used to extract dyes in plants. Overall, it is a sweet, simplistic, and non-violent depiction of Dystopia. This one is also recommended for 8 years old and up.
#3. Messenger
The third book in the Giver quartet takes a highly symbolic twist. The story introduces Matty, one of Kira’s friends from the village, now living with Kira’s father, The Blind Man, as the story’s Protagonist. Living simply under the guidance of Jonas, who accepts all immigrants and refugees from the dozens of dystopic villages. This book is our first taste of the story world outside of a dystopia. Matty wants to be a messenger, someone who delivers messages through the Forest to the other villages. When the nefarious wares of a man called Trademaster infect the towns’ inhabitants, they vote to close the border to refugees. Matty is tasked with taking Kira and the surrounding villages’ notice of the closure and bringing Kira back. But when the forest begins to thicken and threaten Matty and the village with being swallowed, how will his true gift impact the world?
This book is one of the best books of all time. Matty had me in tears by the end. The sacrificial theme, as well as the value of devotion. I found this book exciting, adventurous, sincere, and heartbreaking.
It had absolutely nothing noteworthy content-wise. There is a period of the book where the forest begins to shut and grow closed and dangerous enough to get the characters near death, but no specific violence from another character.
#4. Son
The final book in the Giver Quartet was thrilling. A young girl named Claire, who is given Mother status, a job within The Community, has a problem with the child, or as they refer to it, the product. She is removed from the program, and her child is whisked away. Somehow, she feels different than everyone else, not being issued pills to control her emotions. Thus, she is held captive by a longing for young Gabriel that she cannot describe. And when Gabriel is reported missing, she makes it her quest to find him. Gabriel was taken with Jonas and grew up with the guidance of the brave Matty. Now that Matty is gone and Gabe cannot seem to find his purpose, he sets out to find it himself. He sets out to find his birthmother.
This book explores bravery and valiance as well as the steadfastness of parental love through the eyes of the Main Characters. This book explores redemption and the conquest of evil in realizing that the Trademaster is not as powerful as he seems. All that is needed to destroy his hideous theft of life is defeat. This book explores the idea of grown and harvested infants through specially selected mothers. I found nothing explicit or even suggestive of sensuality about it. Aside from that, there is no violence and extreme moral value to be retained from the story.
The Giver Quartet is my favorite series at the moment because of the depth portrayed so simplistically. 100% recommended for everyone age 8+. I’d suggest buying the whole series at once. It’s too good to have to wait for the next installment!
#5. Around the World in Eighty Days…
…Is one of Verne’s most classic and beloved tales. It follows the adventures of a synchronic and eccentric gentleman, Phileas Fogg, who bets his fortune of 20k pounds on his successful trip around the world in eighty days, along with his newfound French manservant Passepartout. Set in the mid-1800s, this classic book will keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for Phileas to succeed in his mission.
This book is one of my favorites, and so is the author. He writes Phileas’ journey with surprising strength and tension for such simplicity, and captures the imagination with vibrant characters and unforgettable experiences. Probably the closest in resemblance to a Historical fiction novel on this list. That is what sets this one apart from the others in my esteem.
For content, sensually, it sets the stage for Foggs’ eventual marriage to Aouda, but not much else. No swearing. It does contain violence, but nothing of note or that brings a character close to death. Classic adventure book. There is brief smoking and or drinking, but nothing in excess, and it is not encouraged in the narrative.
#6. Journey to the Center of the Earth
This one is my absolute favorite of Jules Verne’s work. It follows the story of eccentric professor Lidenbrock, who finds a clue suggesting that a famed explorer who went missing had discovered an entry to the center of the earth. He and his companions Journey to the center of the earth and there find a lost world of prehistoric animals. A paradise below the surface of Earth. A hallmark of science fiction, this book is unforgettable.
Verne writes very little problematic content. Again, we have brief violence or intensity, little to no sensual content, and no swearing. The only thing that may raise concern is the brief usage of alcohol or cigars, the main characters are English in the 19th century, hence this is normal for them. It is not encouraged or referenced in excess. Simply for the sake of world building.
This is my favorite of Jules Verne’s novels. It is exciting, engaging, and always makes me smile by the end. The fantastic converges with reality in the book. Great for young readers or teen readers.
#7. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea…
…is probably Verne’s most recognizable title and was made into a live-action film by Disney in the 1950s. When a Mysterious creature emerges from the oceans and begins sinking war vessels across the globe. Scientist and Biologist Professor Arronax, his servant Conseil, and the eager whaler Ned Land are in pursuit of the beast when they are cast overboard during its attack on their vessel, and they learn of the marvels and Genius of Captain Nemo. A vigilante of the oceans.
Jules Verne, as I stated earlier, writes very little questionable content. His book contains no sensual content or swearing. It has more violence than its predecessors, but still very little. It also has brief interactions with Alcohol and/or smoking.
This book is really cool because it brings together some of the science and history’s greatest mysteries, including the lost city of Atlantis and the Giant Squid, and its realistic place in the ocean. This book is also the mother of several sequel series and single novels. It is Verne’s most extensive story world from a long career of writing. I can recommend reading any of his books. He wrote a ton of classic novels, books that will stretch through the ages as timeless tales.
#8. The Lost World…
…by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, well known for his brilliant and witty character, Sherlock Holmes. The Lost World follows the charismatic and rather grouchy professor Challenger in his exploits to reach the heart of the Amazon rainforest, where he believes prehistoric creatures still roam. He finds them on the plateau, which he dubs Maple White Land after the original explorer. But when a race of Prehistoric monkeys abduct them and intend to make their next meal of the travelers, how will they escape? Will the world believe their discoveries?
This book has no sensual content that I know of. Challenger does on multiple occasions insult and yell at Malone, however, he never swears. The characters do smoke and drink lightly, this is not highlighted in the story. A passing element.
I read this one with low expectations, and it surprised me. To be honest, my main concern with it was Doyle’s view on science, he takes an evolutionary stance in some of the main characters, however, this is only when addressing science. Never once does the book actively persuade readers to believe the evolutionary concept. All in all, though it was a good book, I enjoyed it and have it on several personal book lists. I would recommend it.
#9. The Poison Belt
The sequel in the Challenger Quartet follows Challenger and his gang as a mysterious belt of poison threatens to overrun Earth by orbiting into it. Despite Challenger’s observations and warnings, the world still regards him as a madman due to his claims of a prehistoric Plateau. The world succumbs, and only a small number survive. But can a simple error change the course of time?
Doyle once again promotes a scientific view of Earth and its inhabitants, but he steers clear of harmful content. They do, however, smoke and drink ever so slightly. Only noticeable if you scrutinize it.
This book is a very interesting story. I found it quite enjoyable, but also didn’t quite understand what the belt was until later in the book. The title had me convinced it was a literal belt for a pair of jeans. Anyhow, it was a great read and I can’t wait to finish the book series… If the local library has them available… The Challenger Quartet does not need to be read in any particular order.
#10. Ice Breaker
The Earth has fallen to the cult of anti-machinists. A group opposed to anything mechanical. Leading to the burning of libraries and brutal murder of all in possession of mechanical items or knowledge of the past. A man packs a robot boy onto an icebreaker set to leave before the bad guys arrive at the college. One that will sustain itself for generations. And one day, the mechanical boy will be the key to survival.
It is forgotten. Petrel is a young orphan on the icebreaker. Over a hundred years later, generations have passed, and the iron boy is forgotten. She scrambles in the ship, keeping safe from the warring factions and crew members, and remains fed and watered. One day, a boy is found on an iceberg. She knows not what, but something is wrong with his sudden appearance. Something is afoot.
This book has no content whatsoever aside from Violence. It was halfway decent for a random pickup at the library. Lian Tanner did quite well with the book, and I hope to find the two others in the series before the year is out! The best thing I noticed was the characters and world building. Very unique and unlike anything else, it was so much fun. The characters’ struggle with right and wrong was executed to perfection. I’d encourage y’all to read this over summer vacation. As a teen, this is the best of all middle-grade books I’ve ever read.
#11. Ashes of Earth
I encourage this as your next read. Written by one of my best friends, I find it one of the best YA books in the 2024 class of KWN. Aiden Horizon is a boy in his teen years, entering manhood in the final frontier of Earth. Skyhold, a floating city just outside of AI, devastated New York. When he discovers the corrupt actions of his father and Skyhold’s protectors, STING Agency, and their plot to eliminate most of the remnant populace of humanity, he fights his duty to his father or the young men he knows are looking for justice.
Will Sting succeed in eliminating the “weak” population? Or will Aiden prevent his father’s destruction?
This book has no content aside from violence; the violence is stronger than the previously mentioned books, so I wouldn’t give it to young children. But those in their teen years will find the book exhilarating. As this is a new book and doesn’t have too many book reviews, I’ll give you one. 3.5 stars. That’s my review!
#12. The Twenty-One Balloons
Yet another eccentric professor, as I realize I have not read enough Sci-Fi. A Newberry Award-winning Novel following the illustrious Professor William Waterman Sherman figures on flying across the Pacific Ocean in a hot air balloon.
In a wild twist of fate, he is stranded on the Isle of Krakatoa, where he discovers a community of wealthy families building a complex and advanced culture based on reliance upon each other. But then. Krakatoa erupts.
William Pene du Bois writes very little in the way of rotten content. A slight reference to alcohol or smoking. A concern among other readers(I didn’t notice it) was the ideals of the society revolving around only one racial origin. I never noticed this until I read other reviews, which honestly… I think the claim is ridiculous, but take it how you will.
