Science Fiction and Fantasy Books for Teens

I think we all remember the first time we finished a long series of good science fiction or fantasy. We'd gotten hooked on the first book and then craved more and more until the series was complete. But when it's over we were left hungry for more, but with no idea what to read next. This article will give this avid reader's review of several hit series for young people who are ready get hooked on their next reading obsession! I will also list each book in the series in order in case you are having trouble figuring out which one to get first.

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: There are 7 books in this series, one for each of Harry's years at Hogwarts. I am assuming that most people who are searching for this list have already read or at least heard of this series, but if you haven't, you simply must! Even if you have seen the movies, you need to know that there is so much more to know about Harry's world that just can't be expressed on film. Read them, and you won't be disappointed! Website: www.jkrowling.com

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Spin off books also by J.K. Rowling:

1. The Tales of Beetle the Bard (A book of children's stories mentioned throughout the series, and "edited" by Hermoine Granger and Professor Dumbldore). This is an entertaining read for anyone who enjoyed the series, and the stories themselves would be a great way to introduce young children to the magical world.

2. Harry Potter Schoolbooks: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them / Quidditch Through the Ages

You should know that each book is a bit larger than the book before it. The reading level and intensity of the story increases as Harry ages. While many elementary school students have read all the books, the first 2-3 have less violence and would be better for younger readers while the rest might be better for students who are at least 12-13. I didn't read these until I was in college, and I can attest to the fact that all ages can appreciate the amazing story that unfolds in these books!

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: This is a story of teenage love. Nevermind the vampires. Whether you are into science fiction or not, this series will make you feel like you are falling in love for the first time. And the vampire folklore is done very convincingly. It allows the reader to beleive that maybe vampires could exist among us in the modern world without anyone knowing. Stephenie's first novel shows her uncanny ability to write characters that come alive. This series has a way of deeply affecting readers emotions, and I believe that is what makes it so beloved by its fans. This is a love story, which does become physical in some parts. Though it is not graphic and morals are upheld, it may not be appropriate for readers under 12.

1. Twilight
2. New Moon
3. Eclipse
4. Breaking Dawn
5. *Midnight Sun: This is only available on the author's website at stepheniemeyer.com. She did not complete this story, which is a retelling of the first book from another main character's perspective. The online version has over 200 pages and is worth reading even though it will remain incomplete indefinitely due to copyright infringement.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan: This is a great series for young readers who would like to learn about greek mythology in a fun, adventurous style! I think this series would be appropriate for readers of any age. Though there is some violence, it is nothing worse than what kids would see on most cartoons these days. This story is about a young boy who discovers that his father is not only alive and well, but is a Greek God. The ancient gods are alive and well in this story of a young boy with some godly powers trying to protect his friends without causing too much trouble. The story has a lot of humor and adventure as Percy struggles to fulfill his destiny as a hero. Website: percyjacksonbooks.com

1. The Lightening Thief
2. The Sea of Monsters
3. The Titan's Curse
4. The Battle of the Labyrinth
5. The Last Olympian

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini: This series is not yet complete as of November 2009, but it's a great time to get started so you can get caught up before the final book comes out! These books would be appropriate for any age, but readers younger than age 13 or 14 may have a hard time with the writing style, which is more similar to that of classic fantasy books like The Lord of The Rings. What makes this series unique is that the author started writing it when he was a teenager himself! You can see his writing talents grow with each subsequent book in the series. The story and characters have a lot of depth to them as they follow the hero, a young boy who finds a dragon egg and slowly realizes it is linked to his destiny. As the story moves along Eragon realizes he has a lot to learn about magic, morality, mortality, the responsibility that comes along with being the only one who can save the land from an evil empire. Website: alagaesia.com

1. Eragon
2. Eldest
3. Brisingr
4. (To be announced)

Ender's Series and Shadow Sagaby Orson Scott Card: When 6-year-old Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is taken away from his family of geniuses to Battle School, a military training base for promising children, only a few people realize that he may be the world's only hope in defeating a far-away army of insect-like aliens who could destroy the earth. He struggles with his own identity as Battle School molds him into the weapon they need. And that is only the beginning in a series that will keep you coming back for more. These books are not all about action and aliens though... they contain some deep philosophical insight on humanity itself, lessons about becoming a good leader and staying true to what you believe in despite pressure from others. No short blurb about this series would be able to capture its depth, but I hope I have you intrigued. This series is divided into two parts: The first 6 listed focus on Ender, whereas the last four listed focus on another character, Bean. Ender's Shadow is a retelling of the first book, Ender's Game, from Bean's perspective. Ender and Bean follow different paths after Battle School, so the series branches off at this point. My recommendation: Read Ender's Gamefirst, then Ender's Shadow. You can then decide which character you want to follow first. Ender in Exile is listed as book 9 because it was written last, and though chronologically it would go in between Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead, it assumes the reader has an understanding of events that take place in the Shadow series. This may sound complicated, and it is. But I bounced back and forth between the two parts of this series and had no trouble keeping everything straight. Ender's Game does have some violence, but would be appropriate for middle school readers or younger. The reading level seems to increase as the series goes on. Very young readers may have a difficult time understanding some of the concepts in later books. Author's website: hatrack.com

1. Ender's Game
2. Speake for the Dead
3. Xenocide
4. Children of the Mind
9. Ender in Exile
10. First Meetings (Four short stories from Ender's Universe)

Shadow Series:
5. Ender's Shadow
6. Shadow of the Hegemon
7 Shadow Puppets
8. Shadow of the Giant

The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss: Patrick Rothfuss has created some serious waves with his debut novel, The Name of the Wind. This is the first and only book published so far, as of January 2010. The series is to consist of three books, Day One, Day Two, and Day Three of a story told aloud by Kvothe, a barkeep in an imaginary land that combines classic fantasy lore with an 1800's kind of feel to it. But there is much more to Kvothe than owning a pub. The reader learns early on that Kvothe is no ordinary bartender. Chronicler is a scribe who has traveled a long way to get the real story from the legendary Kvothe, who lives humbly under the name Kote, and seems determined to forget his past. He reluctantly agrees to tell his story, but insists that if he's going to tell it, it must be done right. He says it will take 3 days. In the first day of his story, we learn about Kvothe's humble childhood, riddled with hardship and tragedy, but which ultimately led him to become the youngest student of the Arcane (magic) at the University. He is not only a genius, but he has a special gift for music as well as all things arcane. This book would be appropriate for teens and adults alike. I could not put this book down, and I anxiously await the next two books in the series! Author's website and blog: www.patrickrothfuss.com

1. The Name of the Wind
2. TBA
3. TBA