what is a good science fiction book? my english teacher is makin me read a science fiction book. and it needs to be kinda short too please..not to lengthy. ps let it be appropriate im in 8th grade..
2006-11-12 09:22:11 · 13 answers · asked by Brooke 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Try 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke or maybe Dune by Isaac Asimov.
2006-11-12 09:24:00 · answer #1 · answered by I Am Legend 5 · 0⤊ 5⤋
There have been a few good suggestions and a few bad ones. 2001 is a good book, but not one I'd recommend to an 8th grader without SF experience. Same goes for Frank Herbert's Dune, which is also not short. Ender's Game is a short story that is very good, but probably not what her teacher had in mind, the novel version, Ender's War is a bit longer than I'm guessing she has interest in.
Some good short books:
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams (odd humorous hijinks)
On Basilisk Station, David Webber (military SF, female protagonist)
Belwether, Connie Willis (chaos theory and romance)
and a few Heinlein juveniles to round it out
Have Spacesuit, Will Travel
Red Planet
Between Planets
Podkayne of Mars
2006-11-12 12:46:33 · answer #2 · answered by leons1701 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely recommend the following - they are all age appropriate and enjoyable:
"Starship Troopers" by Robert Heinlein
"The Giver" by Lois Lowry
"Floodland" by Marcus Sedgwick
"A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle
"A Ring of Endless Light" by Madeleine L'Engle
"Turnabout" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
I would not recommend Dune (which was actually written by Frank Herbert) or 2001 as they are both rather intricate works that demand a good deal of time and thought.
Is your teacher insisting on science fiction only, or could you branch out into fantasy? If you can go the fantasy route, I would recommend any of the Pern books by Anne McCaffrey - they are fun, easy reads about dragons - or any of the Xanth novels by Piers Anthony. Your librarian could help you find those.
Good luck, and enjoy! Science fiction is a lot of fun.
2006-11-12 09:47:41 · answer #3 · answered by elcie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I differ with the other person. Dune is by Frank Herbert.
I really like Scott Westerfeld's books: Uglies, Pretties, and now Specials.
I also can recommend Feed by M. T. Anderson. It is an easy read. Dune is long but wonderful.
Another great choice is Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.
2006-11-12 09:31:46 · answer #4 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anthem by Ayn Rand is a good short sci-fi appropriate for 8th grade.
A Wrinkle in Time is good too.
And check iinto the work of Octavia E. Butler-- great stuff.
2006-11-12 09:29:55 · answer #5 · answered by Ms. Switch 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try a classic sci fi:
Aldous Huxley - Brave New World
1984 - George Orwell
Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
The War of the Worlds - HG Wells.
2006-11-12 10:23:02 · answer #6 · answered by solstice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fahrenheit 451 is pretty short and easy, plus you'll probably end up having to read it for another class. I could also recommend Welcome to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut. It's a book of short stories, so if you read just a couple you might be able to cheat a little and still make your teacher think you read the whole thing.
2006-11-12 09:29:48 · answer #7 · answered by tomstrong83 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read anything by David Weber. Preferably, go to a used book store or the library and get the first book in the Honor Harrington series. Not only is the book good, but quick and there is no hero, just a heroine and she is great. Matter of fact the whole series is great. Good fortune to you and happy reading.
2006-11-12 09:35:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Read Ender's Game or Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card. Or, reading Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey. They're all really good.
2006-11-12 09:29:05 · answer #9 · answered by CrazyDuck 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Terry Brooks is a very good choice but he is more fantasy than sci fi. My favorite series by him is the Magic Kingdom of Landover series. The first one is Magic Kingdom For Sale/ Sold.
2006-11-12 10:13:36 · answer #10 · answered by ccmom487 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
It's a quick and easy funny read--enjoy!!
2006-11-12 09:32:39 · answer #11 · answered by partsgirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋