Over time, young readers choose lots of different types of reading materials. Readers with an interest in fiction often stumble upon fantasy books, and a particular type of fantasy writing called science fiction.
Science fiction is a type of fiction where the stories revolve around science and technology of the future. Science fiction texts are often set in the future, in space, in a different world, or in a different universe or dimension. As exciting as these books can be, it’s useful to remind your child that while science fiction may be based loosely on scientific truth, it is still fiction. Because the content of the book may be unfamiliar, it’s important to keep the conversation flowing when talking about what’s happening in the story. “Could that really happen in today’s world?” “Does what’s happening seem real or make believe?”
Science fiction books
![Can You See What I See? Out of this World](https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0545244684.jpg?itok=zbXYPE_-)
Can You See What I See? Out of this World
![Commander Toad in Space](https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0698113551.jpg?itok=p22p3xMq)
Commander Toad in Space
![Frank Einstein and the EvoBlaster Belt](https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1419718878.jpg?itok=17wdEMny)
Frank Einstein and the EvoBlaster Belt
![On the Blue Comet](https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/076363722X.jpg?itok=FgOrwMxh)
On the Blue Comet
![""](https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/2023-06/space-case.jpeg?itok=ef-WTMlT)
Space Case
![""](https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/2023-06/wonderful-flight-to-mushroom-planet.jpg?itok=LDb4tCfc)
The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet
Science books
Science books, in contrast, are an important way for young children to learn about the real wonders of the natural world outside of their neighborhood. Science books for young children often integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
![The Age of Dinosaurs: The Rise and Fall of the World’s Most Remarkable Animals](https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/age-of-dinosaurs-2.jpg?itok=Rj-5rJ7u)
The Age of Dinosaurs: The Rise and Fall of the World’s Most Remarkable Animals
![Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life](https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/fossil-hunter-mary-anning.jpeg?itok=WvOB_hvD)
Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life
![Hello, Opportunity: The Story of Our Friend on Mars](https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/hello-opportunity.jpeg?itok=92sMZl-c)
Hello, Opportunity: The Story of Our Friend on Mars
![A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars](https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0062455788.jpg?itok=GBWmxcgn)
A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars
![Summertime Sleepers: Animals That Estivate](https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1580897169.jpg?itok=r1P3-lJH)
Summertime Sleepers: Animals That Estivate
![Whales: Diving into the Unknown](https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1250228387.jpg?itok=rwxDO7JI)
Whales: Diving into the Unknown
Download this article in Spanish
Subscribe to Growing Readers!
Get our free monthly parent tips — in English and Spanish — delivered right to your inbox!