15 Awesome Science Fiction Books for 5th Graders

Sci-fi geeks unite! I’m not sure why, but it seems like science fiction books for 5th graders are hard to find. Other than the classics like The Giver and Ender’s Game, you don’t see very many science fiction novels for kids in the 10-12 age range (with the exception of licensed-character superhero books). This is a tragedy for young readers everywhere! If you can’t geek out over virtual reality and space ships when you’re 11 years old, you’re missing out on a rite of passage.

As the mom of a kid who loves science fiction, I decided to collect some of our favorite sci-fi novels and graphic novels for kids in 5th grade. Of course, these books can be enjoyed by kids a year or two older or younger. I hope that your kid(s) enjoy reading these books as much as my daughter and I did. Whether they’re action-packed or heartfelt, these science fiction books are guaranteed to keep young readers entertained from start to finish.

From post-apocalyptic stories to outer space adventures, these science fiction books will keep your 5th grader happily turning pages for days.

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Science Fiction Books for 5th Graders

Explorer Academy series by Trudi Trueit

First up on our list of science fiction books for 5th graders is this action-packed adventure series from National Geographic. Set at an elite academy for gifted explorers, this series has everything a kid could want in a story—puzzles, codes, augmented reality, friendship, secrets, and a mystery. This popular series is perfect for kids that love science. There’s even a section that explains the real science behind the fictional science in the story.

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Dan Unmasked by Chris Negron

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I absolutely loved this heartfelt novel about baseball, comics, and friendship. When his best friend Nate ends up in a coma after a baseball accident, Dan blames himself. Dan teams up with a couple of other kids to make a comic that will hopefully help Nate come out of his coma. As the comic comes to life, Dan believes that it’s the key to helping Nate find his way home again. Full of friendship and heart, this book will keep comic geeks and baseball gurus glued to the page.

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Sanity & Tallulah series by Molly Brooks

Graphic novel lovers will enjoy this outer space adventure starring two young scientists. When Sanity uses her incredible science skills to create a three-headed kitten, she and Tallulah are thrilled. That is until the kitten disappears and starts to wreak havoc on their space station home. The girls will have to think on their toes to capture the destructive pet and save their home. This series will keep young science fiction lovers on the edge of their seats!

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The Firefly Code by Megan Frazer Blakemore

Remember Divergent? This duology is like that series, but for younger kids. Set in a utopian community, this book is about a group of friends, a perfect girl, and a secret. When Mori and her friends meet Ilana, they think she’s perfect. Maybe even too perfect. When the kids discover Ilana’s secret, they have to decide what they believe, what makes people human, and what makes someone a friend. The sequel, The Daybreak Bond takes the kids on a journey outside their perfect home and opens their eyes to the world outside.

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The Last Kids on Earth series by Max Brallier, illustrated by Douglas Holgate

I feel like I keep recommending this series. It’s an action-packed series with tons of energetic illustrations that will keep science-fiction and apocalypse lovers coming back for more. The fact that it’s now a Netflix series only makes it that much better. It’s about a boy named Jack who, with the help of his geeky friends, manages to survive the zombie apocalypse and defend his treehouse from monsters. Full of thrills, chills, and laugh-out-loud humor, this series is for comic lovers and video game enthusiasts of all ages.

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HiLo: Out of This World Boxed Set by Jeff Winick

My kids and I devoured this series as each book came out. A boy named HiLo crash lands on Earth from outer space. He can’t remember anything about who he is or where he came from, but he does have superpowers. With the help of his new friends D.J. and Gina, HiLo will have to survive going to school, mutant robots, and friendship. This hilarious graphic novel series is a complete blast to read. Kids will devour these books again and again.

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The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

This book is described as Wall-E meets Hatchet and that’s a pretty good comparison. When a robot named Roz finds herself on a secluded island, she has no memory of where she came from or how she got there. Slowly, Roz befriends the animals on the island and learns how to survive. Soon, the island starts to feel like home—until her past comes back to haunt her. This is another fantastic science fiction series that kids in 5th grade will love reading. With plenty of illustrations, humor, and heart, this duology is perfect for kids that are fascinated with technology and nature.

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Bloom by Kenneth Oppel

This book made waves even before it was published. It’s about Earth being invaded by alien plants. They come as seeds carried by raindrops, sprouting overnight into massive plants that release toxic pollen and swallow animals and people. Only three teens appear to be immune to this invasion of alien plants. Anaya, Petra, and Seth must figure out the reasons behind their immunity before the plants destroy their entire world.

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Eventown by Corey Ann Haydu

This book reminds me of The Root of Magic by Kathleen Benner Duble. It’s about a young girl, a strange town, and the freedom to make your own choices. When her mom takes a new job in Eventown, Elodee is excited. She likes this odd new town where all the houses look the same and everything appears to be perfect. However, it doesn’t take long before Elodee realizes that perfection comes with a price. Kids that like stories about utopian societies will enjoy this insightful and heartfelt novel.

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Related post: 15 Magical Fantasy Books for 5th Graders

Glitch by Laura Martin

Science fiction meets history in this page-turning time travel adventure for 5th graders. Regan and Elliot are Glitchers—people who travel through time to keep historical events intact. They’re also life-long enemies. But when they receive a letter from a future version of Regan, the kids will have to set aside their differences in order to save the world and the future. Early readers are already raving that this is the author’s best book yet.

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My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi

This book is similar to Dan Unmasked (#2 on this list) in that it’s a realistic story with science fiction elements appearing in the form of comics. When Ebony-Grace leaves her rural home in Alabama and goes to live with her dad in Harlem, she feels out of place. She escapes to an imaginary world of superheroes and comic book characters. Told partially through comics, this heartfelt novel is great for kids who have ever had to adjust to a new place.

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Space Case by Stuart Gibbs

Murder on the moon! When the Moon Base Alpha’s top scientist dies, everyone says it was an accident, but Dash suspects something more sinister. Since kids aren’t allowed on the lunar surface, Dash is trapped inside the moon base and is bored out of his mind. So he starts looking into the mysterious death of the scientist. Kids that like humor and action will enjoy this science-fiction spin on the classic mystery novel.

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The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

If you’re looking for science fiction books for 5th graders, you can’t miss out on this modern classic. In a post-apocalyptic world, the last refuge for humans is a city called Ember. When the lights that power the city start to flicker, Lina and her friend Doon discover an ancient message that could be the key to saving the city. To succeed, the kids will have to decode the message and follow the clues before the darkness closes in forever.

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Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

A blend of science fiction and Korean mythology awaits in the pages of this outer space adventure. When her older brother Jun gets accused of abandoning his post in the Space Forces to chase after a legendary pearl, Min knows it must be a mistake. To clear his name, Min runs away from home and goes in search of the pearl and her brother. Along the way, she meets pirates and ghosts and will have to use her special fox magic to aid her quest. With breathtaking action and an intergalactic quest, this book is perfect for kids that like Star Wars and Percy Jackson.

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Related post: Books Like Percy Jackson to Read Next

The Fellowship for Alien Detection by Kevin Emerson

If your kids like aliens, this is a must-read! It’s like a kid-friendly episode of X-Files. Haley and Dodger live on opposite sides of the country, but they both obsess over aliens and collect evidence of their existence. When both kids receive fellowships from a mysterious foundation, they strike out across the country searching for answers to missing people, missing time, and alien sightings. This book is on the spooky side—you’ve been warned!

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