I had someone ask for some recommendations of books that have science content within them and as well as books with math content. These requests has made me realize that there may be other teachers out there that may want some of these same recommendations. Today I will share with you the science books I recommended and next week I’ll share the math books.
This list contains books that are middle school and high school level. I started this list when an 8th grade science teacher asked me for recommendations. He wanted books that weren’t directly “science” books but that had science elements within them. Next to each book I’ve included how the book connects with the content. Also, many of these books are one of a series, so their sequels or companions would have science content as well.
(List updated 9-2019 & 8/2023)
Life as we Knew it: Meteor hits moon and the effects from the disaster
Moonbase Crisis: Space exploration, Space science
Trapped: Meteorology
An American Plague: Medical (Virology), Yellow fever epidemic
Fever 1793: Fictionalized account of same epidemic
Blizzard!: Meteorology
Ashfall: Geology, Yellowstone eruption
Eye of the Storm: Meteorology
Feed: AI, Technology
Heir Apparent: Technology, Game simulation
Silverwing: Chiroptologist (Study of bats)
This Dark Endeavor: Alchemy, Medical
Uglies: Plastic surgery, Technology, Oil contamination
Girls Don’t Fly: Ornithology (Study of birds)
Hurt Go Happy: Animal testing, Chimp acquisition of language (ASL), Deafness
Airborn: Zoology, Airships
Okay for Now: NASA Apollo Mission, National Audubon Society
Ender’s Game: Space science (Low gravity, alien technology, space craft/station)
I, Robot: Robotics
Leviathan: Genetic engineering, Mechanics
The Way We Fall: Microbiology, Pandemic, Quarantine
Lost in the River of Grass: Everglades
Dark Life: Subsea settlement
Ship Breaker: Global warming, Oil
Half Brother: Linguistics, Animal testing, Chimp acquisition of language (ASL)
Across the Universe: Space science, Space ship, Computer, Cryonics
The House of the Scorpion: Cloning
Peak: Teenager climbing Mt. Everest
Smiles to Go: Quantum physics, Philosophy
Hoot: (and other Hiaasen middle grade books) Ecology, Zoology
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate: Natural History, Evolution
The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z: Botany
Chronal Engine: Dinosaurs
George’s Secret Key to the Universe: Astronomy
The Reinvention of Edison Thomas: Physics, Mechanics, Inventing
Samantha Hansen has Rocks in her Head: Geology
Cinder: Androids, Cyborgs
The Last Panther: Extinction, Conservation, Environment
Planet Earth is Blue: Challenger expedition, Space
Stung: Bee extinction
Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor: Science tinkering, Robots, Inventing, Other science topics
Ethan Marcus Stands Up: Inventions, Problem Solving
Two Truths and a Lie: Fake news, Biology, Other science topics
Song for a Whale: Deafness, Sound waves, Marine biology
Unwind: Live tissue transplant, Rebuilding humans
Dry: Water loss in California
War Cross: Virtual reality
Primates: Primatology
The Fourteenth Goldfish: Genetics, Discovery, History of medicine
A Rover’s Story: Mars rover
Futureland: AI
The Lion of Mars: Mars colonization
Long Distance: Astronomy
The Gravity of Us: NASA, Space travel
The First Rule of Climate Club: Climate change
Global: Global warming
The Last Cuentista: Apocalypse, Space travel, AI
Saving Sunshine: Sea turtle
Paradise on Fire: Wildfire
Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet: Climate change
Shine on Luz Véliz: Coding
Wildfire: Wildfire
All Thirteen: Cave rescue
Rescue at Lake Wild: Ecology, Animal impact
What Stars are Made of: Astronomy
Dinosaur Sanctuary: Paleontology, Genetic mutationWhat books would you add to the list?
Awesome list! I was just looking for this to expand my kids’ reading list by topics we’re covering in school work. Thanks!
You’re welcome! I’m glad that you found it useful
“The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the
Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth” by Tim Flannery; and “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca
Skloot; and then there is A. Huxley’s “Brave New World.”
Fizz: Nothing Is as It Seems
by
Zvi Schreiber
is great!!!1
“Apollo’s Outcasts” by Allen Steele, 2012
Excellent recommendations. We love Stephen Hawking’s books and several others on this list. I would also add the middle grade novel Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything In It by Sundee T. Frazier, which deals with geology and mineralogy. You can read my review here.
I am an art historian, who writes books that embrace science. In my first book, The Crystal Navigator, is a middle grade fantasy that incorporates Newton’s study of optical fringes, chromatic aberration, and gravity. My second book, Mona Lisa’s Ghost, hinges on Einstein’s premise of consciousness-based reality, high tech gadgets, and Newton’s Third Law of motion.
Thanks so much. I game 3 middle school age children and this list helps
National Geographic 5000 Facts. My kids love this series of books. Lots of science facts then they go online and start reading about things they learned from the book. It holds kids attention. I have twin boys who are twelve and are dyslexic. They are both very smart and know complicated things and science, robotics, and coding. When books are layed out with lots of pictures then they pick up information easier. They pick up an interest them research and now research online. Do you have recommendations for dyslexic kid’s books?
Any ideas for middle school- physical science teachers? In life science we enjoyed “Charles and Emma”, “Code Orange”, “Double Helix” and “Fever 1793” (already listed). Thanks in advance!
Hi, i write middle grade fantasy/sci-fi adventures that feature a girl protagonist/daredevil and that combine themes of physics, art history, self esteem, and the importance of original thought. They were inspired by my Corgi, Wilbur who sat me down one day and told me a bunch of stories. He is a guide, helping lost children find themselves. The Crystal Navigator, Mona Lisa’s Ghost, and soon to be published The Gravity Thief. Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble.
Nancy Kunhardt Lodge, PhD
Looking for suggestions on Sci-fi books for middle schoolers (7/8)that address real Earth and Space terminology and yet fun to read. Thanks