Books About Dystopian · 157 titles considered

The Best Dystopian Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about dystopian? 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

Sale price

$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2015

An Ember in the Ashes

By Sabaa Tahir · Book #1 in the An Ember in the Ashes series

A slave and a soldier defy an empire, risking everything for freedom.

480 pages· 124,141 words· Est. 11.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 360,415 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In a brutal empire where defiance means death, Laia, a slave, must spy for rebels to save her brother. At the military academy, she meets Elias, a soldier yearning for freedom. Together, they face impossible choices that could alter the empire's fate. Will their intertwined destinies ignite hope or lead to destruction?

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$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2011

Legend

By Marie Lu · Book #1 in the Legend series

A prodigy and a criminal collide in a deadly game, uncovering dark secrets of their war-torn nation.

305 pages· 75,697 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 572,223 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a war-torn Republic, June, a military prodigy, seeks justice for her brother's murder. Day, the nation's most wanted criminal, is the prime suspect. As they clash, they uncover shocking truths about their country and the sinister forces at play. Can they trust each other enough to survive the deadly secrets that bind them? A thrilling tale of suspense, action, and unexpected alliances.

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$2261

Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2007

Unwind

By Neal Shusterman · Book #1 in the Unwind Dystology series

In a world where teens are dismantled for parts, three runaways fight for survival.

335 pages· 95,147 words· Est. 9 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 254,273 ratings

$23.80Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In a future where unwanted teens are 'unwound' for their organs, Connor, Risa, and Lev become fugitives. Connor rebels against his fate, Risa faces unwinding due to budget cuts, and Lev is a religious sacrifice. As they flee, their lives intertwine, challenging the morality of a society that trades life for convenience. Will they escape the system that seeks to dismantle them, or will they find a way to change it? Dive into a gripping tale of survival and ethical dilemmas that questions the true meaning of life.

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$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 10–15 · 1993

The Giver

By Lois Lowry · Book #1 in the Giver Quartet series

A boy uncovers dark secrets in his perfect world.

Newbery Medal (1994)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (1993)

246 pages· 43,655 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 2,883,040 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a world of conformity, twelve-year-old Jonas is chosen as the Receiver of Memory, unveiling the hidden truths of his seemingly perfect community. As he learns the dark secrets that underpin his society, Jonas faces a choice that could change everything. What will he do with the knowledge that could shatter his world? Discover the haunting journey of discovery and courage in this modern classic.

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$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 · 1,806,332 ratings

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Hardcover

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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$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2002

The House of the Scorpion

By Nancy Farmer · Book #1 in the The House of the Scorpion series

A clone's fight for freedom in a world that fears him.

Newbery Honor (2003)National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2002)Michael L. Printz Honor (2003)

432 pages· 100,586 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 97,850 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Matt Alacrán, a clone of the powerful drug lord El Patrón, grapples with his identity in a world that sees him as a monster. As he navigates the treacherous Alacrán Estate, surrounded by sinister forces and a power-hungry family, Matt realizes that escape is his only hope for survival. But even if he breaks free, can he ever truly be free from the shadow of his origins? In a land where his very existence is a threat, Matt must uncover the truth about himself and what it means to be human.

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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 · 85,358 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

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?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2017

The Marrow Thieves

By Cherie Dimaline · Book #1 in the The Marrow Thieves series

In a world where dreams are stolen, survival means staying hidden.

American Indian Youth Literature Honor (2018)

234 pages· 65,500 words· Est. 6 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 46,102 ratings

$16.95Save 6%

Paperback

Summary: In a dystopian future ravaged by climate change, Indigenous people are hunted for their bone marrow, the key to restoring lost dreams. Frenchie and his group journey north, evading capture. Unbeknownst to them, one among them holds the secret to ending the nightmare. Can they survive long enough to uncover it?

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$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2015

Red Queen

By Victoria Aveyard · Book #1 in the Red Queen series

A common girl with hidden powers must navigate a deadly royal intrigue where betrayal is the only certainty.

388 pages· 111,688 words· Est. 10.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,211,699 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a world divided by blood, Mare Barrow, a Red, discovers a hidden power that thrusts her into the Silver elite's dangerous world. Forced to pose as a lost Silver princess, Mare must navigate treacherous court politics while secretly aiding a Red rebellion. As she balances her new identity and her heart's desires, one misstep could mean her death. Can Mare survive the deadly game of power and betrayal, or will her secret be her undoing? The stakes are high, and the only certainty is that trust is a luxury she cannot afford.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2008

Little Brother

By Cory Doctorow · Book #1 in the Little Brother series

A teen hacker battles a surveillance state after a terrorist attack changes everything.

382 pages· 106,188 words· Est. 10 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 53,897 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Marcus, a savvy hacker, finds his life upended after a terrorist attack in San Francisco. Wrongly detained by Homeland Security, he returns to a city transformed into a police state. With citizens treated as suspects, Marcus must decide if he can challenge the oppressive system. Can he outsmart the surveillance and reclaim freedom, or will he be silenced? Dive into a gripping tale of rebellion and resilience where every move is watched, and every choice could be his last.

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