Best Science Fiction Books for Elementary Students (2026): 5 Compared

Future worlds, and the best science fiction books for elementary students imagine them. We compared five books by sci-fi fit, pages and reading age, using only what each Amazon listing states. Every figure below comes from the listings, not from our own reading.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The House of the Scorpion	9.8/10	Buy
2	Ada Twist, Scientist	9.7/10	Buy
3	D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths	9.7/10	Buy
4	Kids' Science Experiments	9.6/10	Buy
5	Leaf Man	9.6/10	Buy

1

The House of the Scorpion

Nancy Farmer·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A sci-fi book for elementary students, 432 pages, reading age 11+ years, published June 7, 2022.

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Pros

• 432 pages; Atheneum
• 2022 edition
• Reading age 11+ years, from customers

Cons

• 432 pages; long
• 11+; older
• Dystopian; intense

2

Ada Twist, Scientist

Andrea Beaty·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A science book for kids, 32 pages, reading age 3 to 7 years, published September 6, 2016.

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Pros

• 32 pages; Abrams
• 2016 edition
• Reading age 3 to 7 years, from customers

Cons

• 32 pages; short
• Picture book
• Not sci-fi

3

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths

Ingri d'Aulaire·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A myths book for kids, 208 pages, reading age 7+ years, published March 1, 1992.

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Pros

• 208 pages; Delacorte
• 1992 edition
• Reading age 7+ years, from customers

Cons

• 1992; older
• Myths; not sci-fi
• 208 pages

4

Kids' Science Experiments

Tom Robinson·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A science book for kids, 144 pages, reading age 6 to 10 years, published October 1, 2001.

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Pros

• 144 pages; Everything
• 2001 edition
• Reading age 6 to 10 years, from customers

Cons

• 2001; older
• Nonfiction; not sci-fi
• 144 pages

5

Leaf Man

Lois Ehlert·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A nature book for kids, 40 pages, reading age 2 to 5 years, published September 1, 2005.

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Pros

• 40 pages; Harcourt
• 2005 edition
• Reading age 2 to 5 years, from customers

Cons

• 2005; older
• Nature; not sci-fi
• 40 pages; short

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More picks to compare

• Guided Science Readers: Level ASuits readers wanting Liza Charlesworth.Check on Amazon
• Guided Science Readers: Level CSuits readers wanting Liza Charlesworth.Check on Amazon
• The Boy Who Drew BirdsSuits readers wanting Jacqueline Davies.Check on Amazon
• The Science Fair is Freaky!Suits readers wanting Jack Chabert.Check on Amazon
• Dance is the Secret EventSuits readers wanting Melisa Torres.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Specs as published on each listing, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs sci-fi fit, pages, value and reading guidance. All five list reading ages from customers. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age.
• Compare the 32 to 432 page counts.
• Sales claims in the descriptions are the publisher’s; treat as marketing.

How to choose the best science fiction books for elementary students

Sci-fi fit

One is sci-fi. Browse middle grade books for more.

Age fit

Reading ages run from 2-5 to 11+. Our science fiction for 3rd graders list covers more.

Length

Page counts run from 32 (Ada) to 432 (Scorpion).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is sci-fi?

The House of the Scorpion.

Which is the longest?

The House of the Scorpion, at 432 pages.

Which is the shortest?

Ada Twist, Scientist, at 32 pages.

Which is by Nancy Farmer?

The House of the Scorpion.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe House of the Scorpion

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Related lists

See every middle grade book list for more.

More lists: science fiction for 3rd graders, science fiction novels for kids and science fiction for middle schoolers.