Utopia/Dystopia Novels

 

Title  Author  Comment 
Watership Down Adams, Richard Rabbits looking for a safe haven
Diary of Pelly D. Adlington, L. J. Futuristic society’s genetic profiling leads to genocide.
Candor Bachorz, Pam Subliminal messages are used to control teens.
Lost Years of Merlin (series) Barron, T. A.   Fantastical adventures of Merlin on mythical island of Fincayra
Off the Road Bawden, Nina Insiders world ruled by children vs. Outsiders
The Unnameables     Booraem, Ellen A strict island society where only useful objects are named and the unnamed are ignored or forbidden. 
Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury, Ray Futuristic, banned books burned, human ideas crying out
The Postman Brin, David Post-apocalypse US tries to restore government
Space Junk: The Future Is Yesterday Carroll, Amy and Peter Framson Creating respect for the whole universe using old technology
Child of the Air Chetwin, Grace Myl and Brev become slaves when their grandfather dies
Prince in Waiting (series) Christopher, John Primitive future society
When the Tripods Came (series) Christopher, John Tripods disrupt life on earth
The Hunger Games (series) Collins, Suzanne In a future North America the rulers of Panem maintain control of the country through an annual televised survival competition pitting teenagers from each of  twelve districts against one another.
Matched (series)  Condie, Ally Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her, so they couldn't make a mistake in picking her perfect husband, could they? 
The Maze Runner (trilogy)     Dashner, James     16 yr-old Thomas wakes up with no memory in the middle of a maze and realizes he must work with the community in which he finds himself if he is to escape. 
Stolen Voices Davidson, Ellen Dee In a future city  life is designed to be harmonious and conflict-free. 15-yr-old Miri has matured with no clear Talent.
City of Ember (series) DuPrau, Jeanne The underground City of Ember may not be able to keep the dark away.
Doomsday Plus Twelve Forman, James Teens combat militarists after nuclear holocaust
Lord of the Flies Golding, William English school boys shipwrecked on an unpopulated island confront the defects of their society & their own natures.
The Other Side of the Island Goodman, Allegra Honor lives in a highly regulated colony and when her parents have an illegal second child it taken away.  
Gone (series) Grant, Michael In a small town on the California coast, everyone over the age of 14 suddenly disappears, setting up a battle between the remaining town kids and the students from a nearby private school; as well as between those who develop supernatural powers and  those who do not.
Among the Hidden (series) Haddix, Margaret Shadow Children Series: Population Police limits families to two children
Turnabout Haddix, Margaret Reversing the aging process
Planet of Junior Brown Hamilton, Virginia Underground world of homeless children
Raider's Sky Haynes, Mary A disease has killed all adults, only children remain
The Girl Who Slipped Through Time Hendrich, Paula America is a desert in the 21st century
The Half Child Hersom, Kathleen The odd child Sarah disappears from the village
Colors in the Dreamweaver's Loom Hilgartner, Beth Orphaned Zan finds the primitive Orathi in the woods
The Eleventh Plague Hirsch, Jeff 20 yrs after the start of the war that caused the Collapse, 15-yr-old Stephen, his father, and grandfather travel post-Collapse America as scavengers. 
Stravaganza (series) Hoffman, Mary Travel between two time periods
Away is a Strange Place to Be Hoover, H. M. Earth life compared to slave life in artificial world
This Time of Darkness Hoover, H. M. Futuristic dirty underground city
The Delikon Hoover, H. M. Many generations after the Delikons have conquered and reordered Earth, their system of power and organization begins to crumble.
Another Heaven, Another Earth Hoover, H. M. A space colony is rediscovered by an exploratory expedition from Earth whose technology threatens to destroy the colony's painfully constructed civilization.
Bell Tree Hoover, H. M. On a vacation trip to a distant planet, Jenny, her father, and their guide tour a mysterious wilderness.
Orvis Hoover, H. M. Earth has become an inhospitable wilderness, Toby and her friend are lost in "the empty" with an obsolete robot.
Return to Earth Hoover, H. M. In a future world a diplomat returns to Earth to retire.
Shepherd Moon Hoover, H. M. A colonist from a forgotten artificial moon returns to earth.
The Dream Catcher Hughes, Monica Fifteen-year-old Ruth has received messages from another world.
Sandwriter Hughes, Monica Princess Antia becomes involved in a deadly power struggle when she uncovers secrets surrounding an ancient mystery.
The Isis Pedlar Hughes, Monica The community of the planet of Isis moves down the path of destruction.
Brave New World Huxley, Aldous Futuristic, people genetically engineered
Castaways of the Flying Dutchman Jacques, Brian In 1620 a boy and his dog are rescued from the doomed ship, Flying Dutchman, by an angel who guides them.
Merlin Conspiracy Jones, Diana Travel between world needing magic to escape evil
Strange Tomorrow Karl, Jean An alien power wipes out most of life on Earth.
Children of the Dust Lawrence, Louise After a nuclear war devastates the earth, a small band of people struggles for survival.
Wizard of Earthsea (series) Le Guin, Ursula Earthsea Cycle: Evil unleashed in the world
The Goodness Gene Levitin, Sonia In a society that values genetic fitness, Will gets information that makes him question society & his identity.
Evan's Voice Lowenstein, Sallie World of destruction and poverty in which hero finds hope while searching for storyteller  
The Giver (series) Lowry, Lois 12-yr-old becomes disillusioned with utopia
Merchant of Death (series) MacHale, D. J.  Pendragon (Denduron is plagued by civil war)
Tomorrow, When the War Began (series) Marsden, John Tomorrow Series: Foreign military force taken over Australia
Boy Who Spoke Dog Morgan, Clay World run by dogs
The Girl Who Owned a City Nelson, O. T. A plague sweeps over the earth killing everyone except children under twelve
Keys to the Kingdom (series) Nix, Garth Hero deals with strange residents of other world to keep himself frombeing killed
Animal Farm Orwell, George Worker's revolution gone wrong
Nineteen-eighty-four Orwell, George Totalitarianism
Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom Patterson, Katherine Society whose mission is to overthrow Manchu government
Last Safe Place on Earth Peck, Richard Perfect suburban community unraveled by censorship
The Pack Pow, Tom Children must scavenge to survive in a post-apocalyptic future where the line between man and beast is blurred.
After Prose, Francine Students disappear who don't conform
Mortal Engines (series) Reeve, Philip Hungry City Chronicles: Cities consume smaller towns
Downsiders Shusterman, Neal Subway culture clashes with top side world
Truesight Stahler, David Jr. Everyone in Jacob's colony is born blind. They embrace the philosophy of Truesight: Blindness brings unity, purity, and freedom.
The Waterwars     Stracher, Cameron     In a world where water has become a precious resource, Vera and her brother befriend a boy who seems to have unlimited access to water and who suspiciously disappears. 
Gulliver's Travels Swift, Jonathan Travels to incredible places
Slaughterhouse-Five Vonnegut, Kurt Follow Pilgrim through the phases of his life
Time Machine Wells, H. G. Future divided into two races
War of the Worlds Wells, H. G. Intolerable life on Mars causes Martians to invade earth
Uglies (series) Westerfeld, Scott society forced to "look good" with surgery
Haunting of Alaizabel Cray Wooding, Chris Ridding the world of terrible creatures
     

More Books that are acceptable (themes of community/adjusting to new environment):

 

True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle Avi As the lone "young lady" on a transatlantic voyage in 1832, Charlotte learns that the captain is murderous and the crew rebellious.
The Hermit Thrush Sings Butler, Susan After a natural disaster has all but destroyed the earth, the orphaned and "defective" Leora, while searching for her sister, defies the oppressive laws of the land and joins a band of rebels trying to overthrow the government.
Ender's Game Card, Orson Scott Promising youngsters are sent to Battle School and train as a group to save Earth in case the Buggers return, and Ender is the most promising of all.
Ender's Shadow Card, Orson Scott Battle School as seen through the eyes of Bean, who is even smaller than Ender and becomes his most important general.
Shanghai Messenger Cheny, Amy A free-verse novel about eleven-year-old Xiao Mei's visit with her extended family in China, where the Chinese-American girl finds many differences but also the similarities that bind a family together.
My Brother Sam Is Dead Collier, James Lincoln Recounts the tragedy that strikes the Meeker family during the Revolution when one son joins the rebel forces while the rest of the family tries to stay neutral in a Tory town.
The Chocolate War Cormier, Robert A high school freshman discovers the devastating consequences of refusing to join in the school's annual fund raising drive and arousing the wrath of the school bullies.
The Ballad of Lucy Whipple Cushman, Karen  In 1849, twelve-year-old California Morning Whipple, who renames herself Lucy, is distraught when her mother moves the family from Massachusetts to a rough California mining town.
Catherine Called Birdy Cushman, Karen The thirteen-year-old daughter of an English country knight keeps a journal in which she records the events of her life, particularly her longing for adventures beyond the usual role of women and her efforts to avoid being married off.
Matilda Bone Cushman, Karen Fourteen-year-old Matilda, an apprentice bonesetter and practitioner of medicine in a village in medieval England, tries to reconcile the various aspects of her life, both spiritual and practical.
The Midwife's Apprentice Cushman, Karen In medieval England, a nameless, homeless girl is taken in by a sharp-tempered midwife, and in spite of obstacles and hardship, eventually gains the three things she most wants: a full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world.
Rodzina Cushman, Karen A twelve-year-old Polish American girl is boarded onto an orphan train in Chicago with fears about traveling to the West and a life of unpaid slavery.
Who is Jesse Flood? Doyle, Malachy Striving to cope with the arguments of his parents and his feelings of not belonging, fourteen-year-old Jesse Flood struggles to find his place in a small town in Northern Ireland.
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm Farmer, Nancy  In 2194 in Zimbabwe, General Matsika's three children are kidnapped and put to work in a plastic mine, while three mutant detectives use their special powers to search for them.
The House of the Scorpion Farmer, Nancy  In a future where humans despise clones, Matt enjoys special status as the young clone of El Patr|n, the 142-year-old leader of a corrupt drug empire nestled between Mexico and the United States.
Reaching Dustin Grove, Vicki Fifth-grader Carly's assignment to interview a reclusive, brooding classmate leads her to discover some of the events that have caused his antisocial and abusive family's negative impact on their Missouri farming community, and Carly's family in particular.
Plain City Hamilton, Virginia Twelve-year-old Buhlaire, a "mixed" child who feels out of place in her community, struggles to unearth her past and her family history as she gradually discovers more and more about her long-missing father.
the Outsiders Hinton, S.E. Deals with family conflicts, murder, robbery, gang fights, friendship, social status, and loss.
Isis Pedlar Hughes, Monica The community of the planet of Isis, misled by power-hungry space captain Michael Joseph Flynn, moves down the path of destruction until Moira, the captain's daughter, exposes his self-serving designs.
The View from Saturday Konigsburg, E L Four students, with their own individual stories, develop a special bond and attract the attention of their teacher, a paraplegic, who choses them to represent their sixth-grade class in the Academic Bowl competition.
The Contender Lipsyte, Robert Feeling powerless and afraid, Alfred gathers up the courage to visit Donatelli's Gym, the neighborhood's boxing club. He wants to be a champion--on the streets and in his own life.
Call of the Wild London, Jack The magnificent dog Buck, a loyal pet,, is forcibly taken by cruel men to Alaska where he breaks free and becomes leader of a wolf pack.
A Step from Heaven Na, An A young Korean girl and her family find it difficult to learn English and adjust to life in America.
An Ocean Apart, A World Away Namioka, Lensey Always aware that her missionary teachers are outsiders to her community in China, Yanyan keeps her distance, but she knows that she will be the outsider when she travels to the U.S. for a medical education.
Saving Shiloh Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds Sixth-grader Marty and his family try to help their rough neighbor, Judd Travers, change his mean ways, even though their West Virginia community continues to expect the worst of him.
Shadow Hawk Norton, Andre When his position at court is usurped by his half brother, a young Egyptian nobleman seeks to regain his standing through military victories against the enemy.
Z for Zechariah O'Brien, Robert Chilling, realistic story of l6-year-old Ann Burden, who survives on her own after an atomic holocaust.
The Great Gilly Hopkins Paterson, Katherine An eleven-year-old foster child tries to cope with her longings and fears as she schemes against everyone who tries to be friendly.
The Master Puppeteer Paterson, Katherine A thirteen-year-old boy describes the poverty and discontent of eighteenth century Osaka and the world of puppeteers in which he lives.
Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom Paterson, Katherine Abducted from his home by bandits, fifteen-year-old Wang Lee is rescued from slavery by a mysterious girl who introduces him to the Taiping Tienkuo, a secret society partly based on Christian principles and dedicated to the overthrow of the Manchu government.
The Last Safe Place on Earth Peck, Richard Fifteen-year-old Todd sees his perfect suburban world start to unravel when his little sister has her mind poisoned by a member of a fundamentalist sect and he begins to notice signs of censorship in his community.
The River Between Us Peck, Richard During the early days of the Civil War, the Pruitt family takes in two mysterious young ladies who have fled New Orleans to come north to Illinois.
A Year Down Yonder Peck, Richard During the recession of 1937, fifteen-year-old Mary Alice is sent to live with her feisty, larger-than-life grandmother in rural Illinois and comes to a better understanding of this fearsome woman.
Sandry's Book (series) Pierce, Tamora Four young misfits find themselves living in a strictly disciplined temple community where they become friends while also learning to do crafts and to use their powers, especially magic.
Light in the Forest Richter, Conrad Reared as an indian, 15-yr old True Son has been taught to hate white people. When he is ordered back to his white family he wonders where he really belongs.
Witch Child Rees, Celia In 1659, fourteen-year-old Mary Newbury keeps a journal of her voyage from England to the New World and her experiences living as a witch in a community of Puritans near Salem, Massachusetts.
The Bronze Bow Speare, Elizabeth Book about life in the time, the unrest and resistance of many Jews to Roman rule, the confusion of many Jews looking for a military messiah trying to decide if Jesus could be that man.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond Speare, Elizabeth Unprepared for the religious intolerance and rigidity of the Puritan community, Tyler is constantly astounding her aunt, uncle, and cousins with her dress, behavior, and ideas.
Wringer Spinelli, Jerry As Palmer comes of age, he must either accept the violence of being a wringer at his town's annual Pigeon Day or find the courage to oppose it.
The Cay Taylor, Theodore When the freighter on which they are traveling is torpedoed by a German submarine during World War II, a white boywho is blinded and a Black man are stranded on an island.
Bad, Badder, Baddest Voigt, Cynthia When fifth graders Mikey and Margalo devise a plan to prevent Mikey's parents from getting a divorce, the two friends find their scheme foiled by a new girl at school.
Dicey's Song Voigt, Cynthia Now that the four abandoned Tillerman children are settled in with their grandmother, Dicey finds that their new beginnings require love, trust, humor, and courage.
Homecoming Voigt, Cynthia Abandoned by their mother, four children begin a search for a home and an identity.
Izzy, Willy, Nilly Voigt, Cynthia A car accident causes fifteen-year-old Izzy to lose one leg and face the need to start building a new life as an amputee.
Jackaroo Voigt, Cynthia When hard times among the People revive the old stories of the hero Jackaroo, an innkeeper's daughter follows her own quest to unlock the secret reality behind the legend.
On Fortune's Wheel Voigt, Cynthia Faced with the prospect of an unhappy life in the Kingdom, fourteen-year-old Birle accompanies a young runaway nobleman on a journey south and falls into slavery in the citadel of a cruel prince.
Runner Voigt, Cynthia Centers on a high-school athlete's reevaluation of his solitary existence.
Solitary Blue Voigt, Cynthia  Jeff's mother, who deserted the family years before, reenters his life and widens the gap between Jeff and his father, a gap that only truth, love, and friendship can heal.
Jedi Apprentice Watson, Jude A planet steeped with violence for as long as anyone can remember, but a group named the Young, are fighting against their parents to stop the war.
Dragonwings Yep, Laurence  In the early twentieth century a young Chinese boy joins his father in San Francisco and helps him realize his dream of making a flying machine.
 
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