Dystopian Literature has the ability to reignite reluctant middle and high school students – use this power to re-engage your reluctant readers.
I remember when my son was younger and would read in bed with a flashlight. The passion he had for books was truly inspiring. Unfortunately, like it does for many students, that enthusiasm faded over the years. Each year, it seems to become more of a struggle to get students to engage with reading and not view it as a chore. At the start of the year, I survey my class to gauge their feelings about reading, and the results are often disheartening. Conversations usually revolve around struggles with reading, too many forced assignments with materials they had no say in choosing, and a history of picking random books from the library just to satisfy the free reading requirement—yet never actually finding one that spoke to them.
Middle schoolers want to be entertained by the content of novels. They crave compelling characters, action, drama, and conflicts that drive the story forward, along with characters who feel real and evolve through their struggles. Dystopian literature offers all of these elements, which is why I love sharing it with my students. I’ve found that it often hooks many of them. Providing a curated selection of novels allows me to guide students toward books that are a good fit for both their reading level and interests.
This past summer, my amazing literacy coach secured funding to purchase sets of various dystopian novels, giving students a selection of 10 different titles to choose from. Needing to know the contents of each one, I found myself doing some extra reading before implementing the free-reading novels.
The reading process varied depending on the student. Some read independently, others listened to an audio version while reading, some read at home with a parent, and others joined a voluntary reading group that met during lunch. This last option was made possible by the unwavering support of the math teacher, who agreed to help me run these literature groups. Of course, there were still a few students who refused to read as expected, but they were outnumbered by those who did. To my delight, several students chose to continue reading the next book in the series.
While I had my favorite selections, it was the students’ voices that mattered most, especially in their reviews of the novels. The books that generated the most buzz were as follows:
The Scythe Series (From the Sycthe Series which includes Scythe, Thunderhead, The Toll and Gleanings)
Lexile Level – 830
Scythe by Neal Shusterman is a gripping dystopian novel set in a future where death has been conquered, and humanity is kept in check by a group of elite individuals called Scythes, whose job is to “glean” — or kill — people to maintain population control. The story follows two teenagers, Citra and Rowan, who are chosen to apprentice under a Scythe. As they train in the morally complex art of gleaning, they must navigate a world of corruption, power struggles, and difficult choices. The novel explores themes of morality, free will, and the value of life in a society where death no longer holds meaning. With suspenseful twists and thought-provoking ethical dilemmas, Scythe raises profound questions about the balance between life, death, and the responsibilities of those who hold power over them.
The Red Queen Series (From the Red Queen Series which include Red Queen, Glass Sword, King’s Cage, War Strom
Lexile Level – 740
The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is a captivating fantasy novel set in a world divided by blood: the Silver-blooded elite, who possess powerful abilities, and the common Red-blooded people, who have no special powers. The story follows Mare Barrow, a Red-blooded girl who accidentally discovers she has extraordinary powers, despite being born into the lower class. When Mare is thrust into the royal court, she must navigate treachery, political intrigue, and dangerous alliances. As she becomes entangled in a rebellion against the oppressive Silver regime, she faces tough choices about loyalty, love, and the fight for justice. The Red Queen is a fast-paced, action-packed novel that explores themes of power, class, and identity, keeping readers hooked with its twists and high stakes.
The Legend Series (From the Legend Series which includes Legend, Prodigy, Champion, and Rebel)
Lexile Level – 710
Legend by Marie Lu is a fast-paced dystopian novel set in a future where the United States has split into two warring nations. The story follows two protagonists: June, a prodigy from an elite family, and Day, a notorious criminal from the slums. When June’s brother is murdered, she sets out to track down Day, only to discover that things are not as they seem.
As they uncover dark secrets about the oppressive government, June and Day must decide where their loyalties lie. Legend explores themes of justice, sacrifice, and rebellion, blending action, mystery, and emotional depth in a gripping tale of survival and resistance.
he Divergent Series (Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant, & Four)
Lexile Level – 740
Divergent by Veronica Roth is a dystopian novel set in a future society divided into five factions, each representing a different virtue: Abnegation (selflessness), Amity (peace), Candor (honesty), Dauntless (bravery), and Erudite (intelligence). The story follows Beatrice “Tris” Prior, a sixteen-year-old girl who discovers she is Divergent—someone who doesn’t fit neatly into any one faction.
As Tris navigates the dangerous initiation process of Dauntless, she uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the entire society. With the help of her friends and an enigmatic trainer, Tobias, Tris must confront her fears and take a stand against those who seek to control the future. Divergent explores themes of identity, power, and choice, packed with action, suspense, and moral dilemmas.
Use Dystopian Literature to re-engage your middle and high school students. Give them a reason to read again!
Grab a copy of any of these engaging novels, by clicking on the novel covers, and add a new level of excitement to your classroom library!
Infinite Horizons Teaching 
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