Books About Dystopian Societies

The Best Dystopian Societies Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about dystopian societies? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Dystopian Societies

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2012

The Selection

By Kiera Cass · Book #1 in the The Selection series

A girl must choose between love and a crown in a life-changing competition.

336 pages· 79,732 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,804,670 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: America Singer is thrust into the Selection, a competition for Prince Maxon's heart, offering escape from her caste. Torn between her secret love, Aspen, and the unexpected allure of palace life, America faces a choice that could redefine her future. Will she embrace a destiny she never wanted, or follow her heart's true desire? As intrigue and romance swirl around her, America must navigate a world where every decision could change everything. Dive into a tale of love, choice, and unexpected possibilities in a glittering royal setting.

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$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2013

The Testing

By Joelle Charbonneau · Book #1 in the The Testing series

Survive the deadly Testing or lose everything in a dystopian future.

325 pages· 95,038 words· Est. 9 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 85,295 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Cia Vale dreams of being chosen for The Testing, a prestigious program selecting future leaders in a post-war world. But when she's selected, her father's haunting warnings reveal a darker reality. As Cia leaves her home for Tosu City, she must navigate a treacherous path filled with danger and deception. Can she trust anyone, or will her quest for leadership become a fight for survival? With her future and life on the line, Cia faces a chilling test that could change everything. Will she emerge victorious, or will the Testing claim another victim?

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$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2009

The Maze Runner

By James Dashner · Book #1 in the The Maze Runner series

A boy with no memory must escape a deadly, shifting maze to survive.

384 pages· 100,758 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,732,965 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Thomas wakes up with no memory, surrounded by boys in a mysterious enclosure. Beyond the towering walls lies a deadly, ever-changing maze. No one has ever escaped. When a girl arrives with a chilling message—Remember. Survive. Run—Thomas must confront the maze's lethal secrets. Can he find a way out before it's too late?

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$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2005

Uglies

By Scott Westerfeld · Book #1 in the Uglies series

Tally must choose: betray a friend or remain an 'Ugly' forever.

426 pages· 87,152 words· Est. 8 hour read

5.0/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 714,187 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Summary: In a world where turning sixteen means a transformation into beauty, Tally eagerly awaits her new life as a 'Pretty.' But when her friend Shay questions the system and disappears, Tally faces a dilemma. The authorities demand she betray Shay to secure her own future. As Tally uncovers the dark truths behind the facade of perfection, she must decide between loyalty and her dream. Will she risk everything for friendship, or conform to a society that values appearance above all? Tally's choice will redefine her world and her identity.

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$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2003

The City of Ember

By Jeanne DuPrau · Book #1 in the The City of Ember series

In a dimming city, two friends race against time to uncover secrets and save their world from eternal darkness.

270 pages· 59,786 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 303,188 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: In the city of Ember, the lights are fading, threatening to plunge the world into darkness. Lina and Doon discover a mysterious message that might hold the key to salvation. As they unravel its secrets, they must convince their fellow citizens to follow them into the unknown. Will they succeed before the last light goes out, or will darkness consume everything? This gripping adventure challenges them to decipher clues and face the dangers of a world on the brink.

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$2089

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2011

Divergent

By Veronica Roth · Book #1 in the Divergent series

In a divided society, one choice changes everything, revealing a dangerous secret.

487 pages· 105,074 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 4,462,703 ratings

$21.99Save 5%

Summary: In a future Chicago, society is split into five factions. Sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose her path, risking family ties and uncovering a secret that could mean death. As Tris, she faces a brutal initiation, navigates complex friendships, and explores a risky romance. Her hidden truth might save her world or destroy it. Can she protect those she loves in a society on the brink of chaos?

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$2089

Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2025

Watch Me

By Tahereh Mafi · Book #1 in the The Shatter Me Series: The New Republic series

Infiltrate the last refuge of a fallen regime. Can survival outwit surveillance?

368 pages· 70,192 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 73,972 ratings

$21.99Save 5%

Summary: James Anderson infiltrates Ark Island, the last bastion of a fallen regime, only to find himself imprisoned. Meanwhile, Rosabelle Wolff, a trained assassin under constant surveillance, faces a deadly mission. As The Reestablishment plots a comeback, James and Rosabelle's paths collide in a world where trust is scarce and danger is omnipresent. Will they defy their roles or succumb to the system's grip? In a landscape of relentless action and forbidden romance, discover who you are when no one is watching.

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$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2018

Thunderhead

By Neal Shusterman · Book #2 in the Arc of a Scythe series

Two rivals challenge a corrupt order, risking everything in a world on the brink of chaos.

504 pages· 119,985 words· Est. 11 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 248,294 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: In a world ruled by the infallible Thunderhead, Rowan becomes a vigilante legend, targeting corrupt scythes. Meanwhile, Citra, as Scythe Anastasia, questions the new order with compassion. As threats loom and enemies gather, their opposing stances on the Scythedom's morality put them at odds. With corruption spreading, they face a dire choice: can they change the system, or will the Thunderhead's perfect world crumble? As old foes resurface and new dangers arise, the stakes are higher than ever. Will intervention come, or is hope lost?

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$2456

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2016

Scythe

By Neal Shusterman · Book #1 in the Arc of a Scythe series

In a world without death, two teens must learn to kill or risk their own lives.

Cybils Award (2017)

464 pages· 101,371 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 436,677 ratings

$25.85Save 5%

Summary: In a utopia where death is conquered, Citra and Rowan are thrust into a grim apprenticeship. As Scythe apprentices, they must master the art of taking life to control the population. But in a world where failure means losing their own lives, can they navigate the moral complexities of their new roles? As they delve deeper, they uncover the dark truths behind their seemingly perfect society. Will they conform to the system or challenge it? Discover the chilling stakes in this gripping tale of life, death, and the cost of perfection.

Sale price

$2328

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2012

UnWholly

By Neal Shusterman · Book #2 in the Unwind Dystology series

A rebellion exposes the dark truth of unwinding, as a rewound teen questions his existence and humanity's morality.

416 pages· 114,659 words· Est. 10.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 68,969 ratings

$24.50Save 5%

Summary: In a world where unwinding teens for organ transplants is big business, Connor, Lev, and Risa's revolt challenges its morality. Cam, a teen made from unwound parts, grapples with his identity and soul. As a ruthless bounty hunter targets them, Cam's fate intertwines with the rebels, forcing him to confront the essence of humanity. Can they dismantle the system before it expands to prisoners and the poor?

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