Second Quarter Independent Reading – Dystopian Novels
Here is the list of novels from which you may choose for the dystopian independent reading project. All
novels are categorized as Young Adult and are grade and age-appropriate for high school readers.
Feed by M.T. Anderson – Imagine a world where chatting, gaming, advertising – basically everything you see on the
Internet today - is fed directly into your brain. Is this technological future possible? Feed is set in the future where
travel to the moon is not only possible, it’s as convenient and easy as going to Chicago on the train. This is the
world that Titus and his friends live in. Even though they depend on the feed for everything, they never question
the feed. This novel is not action-driven but is thought-provoking; it has explicit language and mature themes. Feed
is a good choice for students who are mature, confident readers – recommended for honors students.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury – Bradbury creates a futuristic society where firemen actually start fires,
specifically book burnings. The main character’s world is turned upside-down when he meets a young woman who
challenges him to wonder about books and what is in them, and why firemen destroy them? How hot is book
paper when it burns? According to Ray Bradbury, 451 degrees Fahrenheit. This novel is not action-driven but is
thought-provoking. Fahrenheit 451 is a good choice for students who are confident readers – recommended for
honors students.
Animal Farm by George Orwell – When the animals on Manor Farm had enough of the abusive treatment of Farmer
Jones and his wife, they force the humans off the farm. The animals organize their own government complete with
seven simple commandments that creates equality among the animals – or do they. Find out what happens when
power turns to greed and corruption even among the animals. Animal Farm is a good choice for students who are
confident, mature readers who have an interest in politics and history– recommended for honors students.
The Running Man by Stephen King – Set in the future, Ben Richards watches his sick daughter suffer because the
medicine she needs costs more than Richards and his wife can afford. Richards is forced to make a life or death
decision to become a running man – a contestant in a reality game show where the only way to win (and collect the
winnings) is to stay alive in a world where everyone is trying to kill you. The Running Man contains mature themes
of violence, language, and sex and is best for mature, confident readers – recommended for honors students.
(Student will have to provide his/her own copy of this novel).
Legend by Maria Lu – “What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually
at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old
June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteenyear-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem”
(goodreads.com). According to Commonsense Media, Legend is rated high for violence. Students who already read
Legend, can choose to use other books in the series Prodigy or Champion. Legend is a good choice for confident
readers and is recommended for honors students. (Student will have to provide his/her own copy of this novel).
Unwind by Neal Shusterman – Imagine what would happen if your parents could decide to abort you when you’re
13 years old because you’ve become unruly or just too much of a burden. That’s what happened to Connor, and
now he’s running for his life. The world that exists in Unwind is a disturbing one, where the “parts,” i.e., limbs,
internal organs, eyes, etc., of the unwound are sent to a warehouse where they await a worthy recipient. Unwound
contains very mature themes that some students may find upsetting. The novel is recommended for mature,
confident readers, and is recommended for honors students.
Stung by Bethany Wiggins – Wiggins sets the story in Denver, Colorado, in a future where bees are extinct.
Scientists attempt to fix the problem went awry and the aftermath is disastrous. Thirteen year old Fiona awakens
from a coma to find a dangerous world where her life is in constant danger as she is on the government’s mostwanted list. Stung is a good choice for students who are confident readers. Students who already read Stung can
choose to read the next book in the series Cured. (Student will have to provide his/her own copy of this novel).
Anthem by Ayn Rand – Set in the future – a time after the Great Rebirth – Equaility 7-2521 knows only the darkness
that comes with loneliness, though he lives with his brothers. His world is one where science and civilization are
long forgotten, where freedom of thought is forbidden, as are reading, writing, companionship, and family. This
novel contains mature themes. Even though Anthem is approximately 100 pages, it is a challenging read. Anthem is
not recommended for struggling readers.
The Silenced by James DeVita – Life for Marena and her friends gives oppression new meaning. Governed by the
Zero Tolerance Party, no one is allowed to read or write, and one’s right to privacy no longer exists. Even one’s
personal identity is taken away. Going to school is no longer about learning, it’s about becoming indoctrinated in
the ruling government’s mindset. What happens to dissidents who refuse to follow orders? What happens to those
who refuse to remain silent? This novel contains some mature themes. The Silenced is recommended for all reading
levels.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner – The setting is an all-boys camp called the Glade. The thing is no one chooses
to go to the Glade – they’re just sent there – but who sent them and when do they get to go home? The boys cannot
remember anything about their previous life or why they were delivered to such a dreadful place that is
surrounded by a mysterious maze. Then a girl arrives. Is she a spy for whoever sent them to the Glade? Does she
know how to get back to the real world? This novel has some explicit language. Students who already read the
Maze Runner, can choose another book in the series – The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, The Kill Order, or The Fever
Code. The books in this series are appropriate for confident readers; not a choice for honors students.
Divergent by Veronica Roth – In Divergent, a futuristic Chicago is split into five different factions, each one based on
a different virtue. A perfect world, right? Or is it? Choosing one’s faction is a rite of passage for all sixteen year
olds. In fact, it is the most important decision of their life. But choosing one’s faction is easy compared to what
comes next. This novel contains some violent scenes. Students who already read Divergent, can choose another
book in the series – Insurgent or Allegiant. The books in this series are appropriate for confident readers; not a
choice for honors students.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – North America is no longer made up of 50 states, but is separated into
twelve districts – all controlled by President Snow who lives in the luxury-laden Capitol. The government keeps a
tight reign on each of the districts by pitting district against district in an annual game of survival. Each year, one
girl and one boy from each of the districts is randomly chosen to fight in the Hunger Games – a game of survival for
both the participants and the districts. This novel contains violent scenes and mature themes. Students who read
The Hunger Games can chose another book in the series – Catching Fire or Mocking Jay. The books in this series are
appropriate for confident readers; not a choice for honors students.
The Giver by Lois Lowry – Jonas sees color, which is a problem considering his world is black and white. But that’s
not his only problem. Imagine a society where the pressure of making life choices is eliminated – marriage,
children, jobs. There’s no prejudice, no pain, no one lives in fear – everything and everybody lives in perfect
harmony. Or do they? The Giver is recommended for struggling readers; not a choice for honors students. (There
is a very limited number of copies of this book available through school).
City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau – Can you imagine living underground and not knowing first hand what the
warmth of the sun feels like? Established over one hundred years ago, the world where Lina and Doon live is faced
with food shortages, corruption, and less-and-less artificial daylight. It’s up to them to uncover the mystery of life
underground if they are all to survive. This novel contains some mature themes. City of Ember is recommended for
struggling readers; not a choice for honors students. (There is a very limited number of copies of this book
available through school).
Students who have a specific dystopian novel that they’re interested in reading that is not on this list, and
is appropriate to their personal reading level, should see Mrs. Renaud for approval.
Notice that some titles are not available through Renaud or Harborside Academy – don’t wait too
long to get the book. If you cannot find your first choice title at the public library (or are not willing to
purchase it at a local store or for a tablet), then move on to the next title. You should have your book – in
hand – within a week of receiving this assignment.
Why dystopian literature?
Reading dystopian literature is a perfect connection to the It’s All About Community expedition.
Creating the perfect town (utopia) is not a new concept. In US History, you’ll be examining George
Pullman’s idea of a perfect town and the reasons it did (or did not) survive as Chicago experienced
urbanization. Think about the U.S., didn’t the people who boarded the Mayflower come looking for
a New World? Wasn’t it their goal to leave behind an all-too-controlling government so that they
could enjoy the personal freedoms that were oppressed by the king back in England? Many
immigrants leave their home country for the same reason – to escape a tyrannical leader or
government.
Ask yourself, if you had the opportunity to create the perfect town, what kind of government
would you have? How would you keep chaos from reigning and maintain order? What about the
things needed for basic survival? Where would the food come from? Will everyone have a job?
How would decisions be made and who would make them? These are the questions that
dystopian novels bring to the surface.
As a genre, dystopian novels examine life where governmental control is taken to the extreme and
personal freedom is often subdued in the interest of the state/government. The characters in
these novels tend to be ordinary people willing to make great sacrifices in the name of personal
freedom. As you think about what your perfect town would look like, consider the choices the
government and people make in the dystopian novel you read. Would you make the same choices
if you were in control? Would you stand up for freedom or sit silently by?
What is meant by “mature themes”?
Mature themes indicate that the subject matter may be inappropriate for younger or
immature readers. Parents are encouraged to help their children choose the book that is
the best fit. Most of the mature themes encountered in dystopian literature include
varying levels of questioning authority, independent thinking, sexual situations, and in
some cases extreme violence. The dystopian novels on the independent reading list are
categorized as Young Adult and are considered grade and age appropriate for high school
students. However, if a parent prefers their child to not read a book from the dystopian
genre, please know that an alternative grade-appropriate novel will be honored.
How explicit is “explicit language”?
“Explicit language” is language that most of us consider inappropriate to use and is
what we usually call “bad words”. Each novel is different and the level of explicit language varies.
Feed and The Running Man seem to have a fairly substantial amount of explicit language, whereas
there is relatively little in most of the other titles. The level of “explicit language” is oftentimes
gauged based on one’s personal comfort level.
How long do I have to read and complete the novel?
Written project is due Monday, December 21st.
The digital presentation is due Tuesday, January 5, 2016.
At the risk of sound cliché’, December 21st (written product) and January 5th (digital presentation
due) may seem like a long way off, but as many students experienced with the first quarter
project, the due date will be here before you know it. Start early – don’t procrastinate.
Return this sheet to Mrs. Renaud by Fri. Nov. 6, 2015
The book choices listed are so that I know how many copies of each title are needed. List your top five
(5) choices.
_____
Feed – Harborside Academy has copies of this book
_____
Fahrenheit 451 – Harborside Academy has copies of this book
_____
Animal Farm – Harborside Academy has a very limited number of this book
_____
The Running Man – Student will have to supply their own copy of book
_____
Stung – Student will have to supply their own copy of book
_____
Anthem – Harborside Academy has copies of this book
_____
Legend – Student will have to supply their own copy of book
_____
The Silenced – Harborside Academy has copies of this book
_____
Unwind – Harborside Academy has copies of this book
_____
The Maze Runner – Harborside Academy has copies of this book
_____
Divergent – Harborside Academy has copies of this book
_____
Hunger Games – Harborside Academy has copies of this book
_____
The Giver – Harborside has a very limited number of this book
_____
City of Ember – Harborside has a very limited number of this book
Parents, please indicate your preferred option below and sign.
________
My child can read only the books that he/she indicated are his/her top 5 choices.
________
My child can read any of the books on the list.
________
I prefer that my child does not read books from the dystopian genre and that he provided
an alternative book list.
Parent Signature ___________________________________________________ Date ____________________________