Every May, there is a special day of recognition that takes place on the 4th day of that month. This entertaining event is known as “May the Fourth Be With You”, and it’s a celebration of all things Star Wars. But why keep your love of science fiction contained to one fandom and one day? My advice is to indulge in all types of out of this world young adult science fiction novels all month long!
Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders (9th & up)
YA F ANDERS
Tired of hiding in obscurity on Earth, Tina, the human clone of a brilliant alien tactician, pursues her destiny in space, but success is elusive until Tina and her best friend Rachel assemble a ragtag crew of humans and set out to save all the worlds.
All That’s Left in the World by Erik J. Brown (8th & up)
YA F BROWN
Putting their trust in one another, two boys, Andrew and Jamie, search for civilization in a world ravaged by a deadly pathogen, but their secrets could cost them everything as they try to find the courage to fight for the future together.
Mindwalker by Kate Dylan (9th & up)
YA F DYLAN
With her tech rapidly degrading and her new ally keeping dangerous secrets of his own, Sil must find a way to stop Syntex in order to save her friends, her reputation - and maybe even herself.
Space Case: a Moon Base Alpha novel by Stuart Gibbs (6th & up)
YA PB F GIBBS
While living on a moon base with fellow lunarnauts, Dashiell Gibson investigates the murder of one of the moon's most prominent doctors. This is part of a trilogy, so if you love the story, there’s more adventure ahead!
In Utero by Chris Gooch (8th & up)
YA GN GOOCH
Twelve years after a disastrous explosion, young Hailey is dropped off by her mum at a holiday camp in a dilapidated shopping mall. Alienated from the other kids, she connects with an eerie older teen named Jen...but soon dark horrors awaken, and the two new friends are caught up in a cataclysmic battle between two terrifying creatures who have been lying dormant all this time.
Among the Hidden (Shadow Children series) by Margaret Peterson Haddix (6th & up)
YA PB F HADDIX
Due to government restrictions on family size, Luke is born an illegal third child who must hide from sight for his own safety, yet when he secretly encounters another "shadow child" on the connecting farm, Luke is willing to take big risks to develop the friendship.
Alone Out Here by Riley Redgate (9th & up)
YA F REDGATE
When the president's daughter--eighteen-year-old Leigh Chen--ends up on the only ship escaping a dying earth, she and a group of teenagers must grapple with the challenges of what it will take to survive as the last remnants of humanity.
Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds (9th & up)
YA F REYNOLDS
Jamal's best friend, Q, doesn't know that he died, and that he's about to die again. He doesn't know that Jamal tried to save him. And that the reason they haven't been friends for two years is because Jamal blames Q for the accident that killed his parents. But what if Jamal could have a second chance? A new technology allows Q to be reanimated for a few weeks before he dies- permanently. And Q's mom is not about to let anyone ruin this miracle by telling Q about his impending death. So how can Jamal fix everything if he can't tell Q the truth?
All These Monsters by Amy Tintera (8th & up)
YA F TINTERA
Joining an international monster-fighting squad to escape an abusive home, 17-year-old Clara exhaustively trains in battle skills before discovering that the monsters may not be the biggest evil in the world.
Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland (9th & up)
YA F VASQUEZ GILLILAND
Separated from her mother in the years following a painful ICE raid, Sia drives into the desert and lights prayerful candles on every new moon before an astonishing night when her mother emerges from a blue spacecraft that crashes in front of her car.
