Novels Grades 3-6

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Last Updated May 27, 2003

Science Fiction Novels Grades 3-6
Compiled by Kay Fowler

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Novels Grades 3-6

Bechard, Margaret. Star Hatchling, 1995. Viewpoint alternates between the female-dominated, gill breathing inhabitants of a distant planet and the humans who have just arrived. School Library Journal compares the quality of this text to Alien Secrets.Ý It is quite well written and engaging.Ý Good on cultural expectations and interaction. * Selected as a Childrenís Book of the Year by the Bank Street Child Study Childrenís Book Committee and marked for Outstanding Merit ; A Junior Library Guild Selection; A nominee for the Maine Student Book Award, 1997; Winner of the Golden Duck award, given by the DukCon Science Fiction Convention for best middle grade science fiction, 1996 Website: http://www.bechard.us/

Bradbury, Ray.Ý Ahmed and the Oblivion Machines: A Fable.Ý Bradbury's magical touch transmuted for the young.Ý A desert boy takes on the enemy, Time, and learns to dream and shape his future.Ý A fusion of fantasy, sf, and ... Website: http://www.raybradbury.com/http://www.raybradbury.com/ or http://www.spaceagecity.com/bradbury/

Campbell, Elspeth. The Mystery of the Dolphin Detective, Vol. 8. Bethany House Publishers. 1995 Part of the Three Cousins Detective series. More mystery than sf. Website: http://www.elspethcampbellmurphy.com/index.asp?inc=allbooks

Chew, Ruth. Trapped in Time. 1986. A magical watch takes 2 children back 200 years. More fantasy than sf.
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Clarke, Arthur C. Dolphin Island (Abridged).Ý NY: Holt Rinhart, 1963.Ý Not recent, but still very readable and reasonably good science still. Website: http://www.lsi.usp.br/~rbianchi/clarke/ or http://library.thinkquest.org/27864/data/clarke/acchome.html?tqskip1=1&tqtime=0510

Cole, Joanna and Bruce Egan. Magic Schoolbus: Classic series and TV book series. This series has a number of titles each with a science based theme. More scientific fiction than science fiction

Conly, Jane Leslie. Racso and the Rats of NIMH. 1986. R-T, Margaret and the Rats of NIMH 1990. Continuations of Robert O'Brien's Newberry Award winning Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.Ý Conly is O'Brien's daughter. (See Robert O'Brien below) Website: http://www.carr.lib.md.us/authco/conly.htm

Conly, Jane Leslie. The Rudest Alien on Earth. 2002. Oluu, an alien visitor to earth, takes the body of a border collie, then a pony etc. in order to carry out (not entirely successfully) her assignment. Website: http://www.carr.lib.md.us/authco/conly.htm

ÝCoville, Bruce. My Teacher Glows in the Dark.Ý1992. I Was a 6h Grade Alien.Ý 2000. Both winners of the Eleanor Cameron Award (Golden Duck) for excellent Middle grade science fiction. Coville has a number of other books in the same genre. They are light but funny and children enjoy them thoroughly. Website: http://www.brucecoville.com/

Etchemendy, Nancy.Ý Stranger from the Stars.Ý 1983.Ý A young girl living in the west encounters a strange old man in a nearby abandoned shack.Ý Eventually she learns that he is an alien who is marooned, endangered by another alien who had caused the crash of their ship, and unable to get in touch with his people.Ý She helps him in a variety of ways -- including figuring out to reassemble a working communicator.Ý Well written -- accessible reading for 4th or 5th grade readers.Ý Good concepts.Ý Not outdated.Ý The Crystal City.Ý 1985. Website: http://www.sff.net/people/etchemendy/compub.html

Etchemendy, Nancy. The Power of Un. 2001.Ý The power to undo the past!Ý What a deal -- or is it? Engaging, easy to read, raises excellent questions about interrelationships, responsibility, and "destiny." Winner of the 2001 Eleanor Cameron Award (Golden Duck) for excellent Middle grade science fiction. Website: http://www.sff.net/people/etchemendy/compub.html

Gauthier, Gail.Ý My Life Among the Aliens.Ý Will and Robby encounter multiple aliens attracted by their mother's baking.Ý The School Library Journal comments:Ý "Gauthier has created a delightful science fiction romp in which the impossible is presented as if it were perfectly natural.Ý Fun to read aloud, the book will appeal to readers who suspect that those weird kids down the street might be space invaders. Club Earth.Ý 1999.Ý In the sequel to My Life Among the Aliens, W ill and Robby must now cope with the decision by aliens to turn their home into an interstellar resort hotel -- and keep their parents in the dark at the same time.Ý School Library Journal calls it:Ý "Another imaginative, tongue-in-cheek adventure." Website: http://home.cshore.com/gailgauthier/

George, Jean Craighead.Ý Who Really Killed Cock Robin:Ý An Ecological Mystery.Ý 1971.Ý The Case of the Missing Cutthroats: An Ecological Mystery.Ý 1975.Ý The Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo: An Ecological Mystery.Ý 1992.Ý A mystery about an endangered alligator and the endangered homeless people who are his friends and neighbors in a hidden hammock in the Florida Everglades.Ý Good science and good commentary on abuse, mental illness, homelessness etc. presented at a very accessible level.Ý The Fire Bug Connection: An Ecological Mystery.Ý 1993.Ý A mystery about firebugs (and bats, digger wasps, etc.!) set in the woods of Maine.Ý Well-written.Ý Good science.Ý Engaging characters. The Talking Earth.Ý 1983. Website: http://www.jeancraigheadgeorge.com/

Griffith, Helen V.Ý Dinosaur Habitat.Ý 1994.ÝÝ Nathan and his brother Ryan (a dinosaur obsessed child) end up in Ryan's dinosaur terrarium when it comes to life.Ý Kirkus calls it a junior Jurassic Park. Website: http://www.calvarymusic.org/ science_fiction_writers/ g/ helen_griffith.html

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Haas, Dorothy F. The Secret Life of Dilly McBean, 1986. Dilly McBean (an orphan boy with a dog named Contrary) has a magnetic personality -- and magnetic hands. Burton's Zoom Zoom Va-Room Machine 1990 and Burton's and the Giggle Machine 1992 Website: http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/biochildhome.htm

ÝHarris, Mark Johnathon. Solay. 1993. from The School Library Journal: "Ever since her family moved from New York to California, fifth grader Melissa has been miserable. All of her classmates seem to dislike her, and her parents are so absorbed in their own problems with their new jobs that they have no time for her. One night, as she is brooding under a tree, a space ship drops off an alien girl, Solay. Her free, rambunctious spirit, in strong contrast to Melissa's prim and proper nature, gets Melissa into one scrape after another. "

Hoover, H. M.Ý Only Child.Ý 1992. "Cody has lived on a spaceship his whole life. ... Strange aliens kidnap him and take him to thie rcaves. ... Cody manages to escape, but when he learns the evil truth of his own ship's mission, he decides that he must return to the creatures and save them.... "(dustjacket burb). Website: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/H_M_Hoover.htm or http://scifan.com/writers/hh/HooverMHelen.asp

Hoover, H. M.Ý Orvis.Ý 1987. A first rate story about a young girl who befriends an obsolete -- and junked -- robot. Excellent themes and writing. Highly recommended. Website: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/H_M_Hoover.htm or http://scifan.com/writers/hh/HooverMHelen.asp

Hoover, H. M.Ý The Lost Star.Ý 1979. "While on an archaeological expedition to Balthar, a young astrophysicist stumbles onto the lumpies -- gray smiling creatures with a strange secret." (LC copy) Website: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/H_M_Hoover.htm or http://scifan.com/writers/hh/HooverMHelen.asp

Hoover, H. M.Ý Another Heaven, Another Earth.Ý 1981.Ý Gareth Mitchell descendant of the legendary builders (who had come from earth and colonized Xilan 500 years earlier) lives in a world where technology has failed, the birthrate has fallen, and the life span has shrunk to about 45.Ý She works as a medic for the village.Ý Into this world comes a starship from earth bringing with it technology, remarkable medical knowledge, and a group of humans who to Gareth's eyes have no understanding or respect for her world or her people.Ý The book is a fine read -- very well written, thoughtful, rich and unflinching on ethical dilemmas and open-ended.Ý Not at all outdated. Highly recommended. Website: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/H_M_Hoover.htm or http://scifan.com/writers/hh/HooverMHelen.asp

Hoover, H. M.Ý This Time of Darkness.Ý 1980. Amy and Axel, children who live in a decaying underground city, defy the rules to climb up and out. Well written and engaging. Website: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/H_M_Hoover.htm or http://scifan.com/writers/hh/HooverMHelen.asp

Hoover, H. M.Ý The Bell Tree.Ý 19 "On a vacation to a distant planet, Jenny, her father, and their guide tour a mysterious wilderness which holds ancient relics." (publisher's blurb) Website: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/H_M_Hoover.htm or http://scifan.com/writers/hh/HooverMHelen.asp

Hoover, H. M.Ý Away is a Strange Place to Be.Ý 1990. "The year is 2349 and Abby Tabor lives on Erath helping her uncle run the gracious, luxurious inn that is their home... Then both Abby and Bryan are inexplicably kidnapped and imprisoned on Vitacon, a space habitat under construction." (dustjacket blurb) Website: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/H_M_Hoover.htm or http://scifan.com/writers/hh/HooverMHelen.asp

Hoover, H. M.Ý The Children of Morrow.Ý 1973. Telepathic children living in a post-destruction world seek out an advanced civilization they've been "hearing". Website: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/H_M_Hoover.htm or http://scifan.com/writers/hh/HooverMHelen.asp

Hoover, H. M.Ý The Treasures of Morrow.Ý 1976. The telepathic Tia and Rabbit find the life with the advanced civilization exciting but find that they do not feel at home. Website: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/H_M_Hoover.htm or http://scifan.com/writers/hh/HooverMHelen.asp

Hughes, Monica.Ý Space Trap.Ý 1983. Website: http://www.ecn.ab.ca/mhughes/ or http://www.scifan.com/writers/hh/HughesMonica.asp

Hughes, Monica.Ý Tomorrow City.Ý 1978. Website: http://www.ecn.ab.ca/mhughes/ or http://www.scifan.com/writers/hh/HughesMonica.asp

Hughes, Monica.Ý Beckoning Lights.Ý 1982. Telephathic twins discover an alien ship. http://www.ecn.ab.ca/mhughes/ or http://www.scifan.com/writers/hh/HughesMonica.asp

Hutchins, Hazel.Ý Within a Painted Past. (1994) Allison, 12, time travels into 19th c. mining Canmore, Alberta, Canada.Ý Reviews mixed.Ý More historical fiction than science fiction despite the time travel device but pleasant reading.

Kahn, Sharon. Kacy and the Space Shuttle Secret. 1996. A well written and scientifically well done novel about a young girl who works with the astronauts on a botany experiment they will take with them on their flight and who, in the process, discovers a secret that puts the shuttle flight in danger.

Kehret, Peg.ÝThe Volcano Disaster.Ý 1998.Ý Classmates Warren and Betsey, 12, time travel to Mt. St. Helens in 1980.Ý Oops!ÝÝ Bibliography on volcanoes provided. The Blizzard Disaster.Ý 1998.Ý Warren and Betsey are at it again this time travelling to 1940 Minnesota in time for a massive blizzard.Ý Kirkus comments:Ý "The time-travel angle is sheer silliness, but Kehret admirably pulls several threads of suspense into a coherent whole; the blizzard becomes a magnificent star in this old-fashioned, surprisingly gripping tale."Ý On the Iowa Children's Choice Award Master List for 2000-2001. The Flood Disaster. 1999.Ý Warren and Betsy travel to the site of the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889.Ý On the Iowa Children's Choice Award Master List for 2000-2001.

Kehret, Peg.Ý Earthquake Terror.Ý 1996.Ý A 12 year old boy and his 6 year old sister try to survive when they are stranded on an earthquake stricken island.

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Lasky, Kathryn.Ý Shadows in the Water.Ý 1992.Ý Two sets of Starbuck twices use their telepathic powers to help dolphins and stop toxic waste dumping.Ý Good on ecology of the Florida Keys.Ý This is the second book in this series by the Newberry-award winning writer.Ý The first book Double Trouble Squared:Ý A Starbuck Family Adventure (1991) is set in London and is more in the mystery genre as the twins imitate Sherlock Holmes.Ý The 3rd book, A Voice in the Wind (1993) moves the twins to the Southwest for an encounter with an Anasazi ghost.

McCaffrey, Anne.Ý The Dolphin's Bell: A Tale of Pern.Ý 1993.

McIntyre, Vondra. Barbary. 4-6. Barbary and her cat prove critical in a first contact situation near the space research station, Einstein. Very readable and engaging. Website:

http://www.sff.net/people/Vonda/

Myers, Bill. The Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle (8): My Life as an Afterthought Astronaut. 1993. A light and enjoyable tale of a young boy who keeps getting into trouble because he doesn't follow the rules. He ends up on the Shuttle and causing mischief. Christian theme.

Myers, Laurie. Earthquake in the Third Grade. 1993. John Jacob accidently causes an earthquake in his antfarm which is paralleled by the emotional earthquake going on in the third grade when the teacher announces she is leaving.

O'Brien, Robert C.Ý Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.Ý Newberry winner; Lewis Carroll award and ALA Notable books.Ý The National Institute of Mental Health has been improving the intelligence of rats -- and now the rats ... (See Jane Leslie Conly above (O'Brien's daughter) for recent sequels.) Website: http://users.wpi.edu/~boris/zforz/rco.html

Osborne, Mary Pope.Ý An engaging and well-written series -- very accessible reading.Ý Magic Tree House Series.Ý #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark.Ý #6Ý Afternoon on the Amazon.Ý #7 Sunset of the Sabertooth.Ý #8 Midnight on the Moon.Ý #9 Dolphins at Daybreak.Ý #11 Lions at Lunchtime.Ý #12 Polar Bears Past Bedtime.Ý #13: Vacation under the Volcano (Pompey)Ý #19 Tigers at Twilight (India)Ý #20 Dingoes at Dinnertime (Australia) Website: http://www.edupaperback.org/showauth.cfm?authid=37

Paulson, Gary.Ý World of Adventure:Ý Time Binders.Ý 3-6.Ý Zack and Jeffendep in 1334 B.C. Egypt.

Pearce, Phillippa.Ý Tom's Midnight Garden.Ý 1960.Ý Carnegie Medal winner.Ý Time travel.

Pearson, Kit.Ý A Handful of Time.Ý 1991.Ý Patricia Potter, 12, time travels to when her mother was 12.ÝÝÝ Mixed reviews.Ý Questions about the attitudes of the book toward Native Canadians.Ý Good apparently on daughter-mother dynamics.

Peck, Richard. Lost in Cyberspace 1995. The Great Interactive Dream Machine. 1998. Fun treatment of cyberspace, time travel, and living history. Website: http://www.edupaperback.org/showauth.cfm?authid=68

~Pederson, Ted. Trapped in Time. 1998

~Rodgers, Mary.Ý Esp TV.Ý 1974.Ý Gr. 4-7.Ý (Alternate title:Ý A Billion for Boris).Ý Author of Freaky Friday tells the story of a television that airs programs a day early.

Skyrsynski, Gloria and Alane Ferguson. Mystery of the Haunted Silver Mine. 1997.ÝCatlin and her Science Club investigate the mysterys of the "haunted" silver mine using scientific principles. Mystery of the Vanishing Creatures. 1997.Ý The animals of the Science Club's science fair projects are disappearing and Catlin and the others must figure it out. Mystery of the Fire in the Sky. 1997.Ý More Science Club mystery. Mystery of the Spooky Shadow. 1997.Ý More Science Club mystery. Website: http://gloriabooks.com/

~Strasser, Todd.Ý Help I'm Trapped in the President's Body..Ý 1974.Ý

NOTE:Ý Anthology:Ý Eight Science Fiction Plays, Globe Fearon Publisher, 1996 has 8 short plays that can be read/acted out by 3rd to 6th graders.Ý Plays include:Ý "Star-Joy" by Jeffrey Cooper, "Only Slightly Different" by Bruce Goldstone, "Event Unexplained" by Diane Zahler, "The Seven Sisters" by Chuck Haines, "Jupiter Park" by Jeffrey Cooper, "Tendar Fever" by Sandra Widener, "A Clash of Wills" by Mary Canrobert and "The Green Computer" by Chuck Haines.