Top 10 Science Fiction/Fantasy

The Ask and the Answer. By Patrick Ness. 2009. Candlewick, $18.99. Gr. 9–12.

The middle volume in the Chaos Walking trilogy expands the series’ litany of heavy themes (genocide, extremism, civil war, terrorism), all while delivering some of the most pulse-pounding action around.

Catching Fire. By Suzanne Collins. 2009. Scholastic, $17.99. Gr. 9–12.

The deal was, if you win the Hunger Games, you get to live out your life in fame and comfort. The Capitol, however, has other plans for last year’s heroes, Katniss and Peeta, as whispers of growing unrest flit about the Districts.

A Conspiracy of Kings. By Megan Whalen Turner. 2010. Greenwillow, $16.99. Gr. 7–10.

In this stand-alone return to the series begun in Turner’s 1997 Newbery Honor Book The Thief, the focus shifts from Eugenides to Sophos, the reluctant king of Sounis, who relates his own rise to power, which is fraught with political intrigue.

Enchanted Glass. By Diana Wynne Jones. 2010. Greenwillow, $16.99. Gr. 6–9.

Fantasy veteran Jones hits a high note with this tale of a boy who is stalked by dangerous magical beings and seeks help from a powerful sorcerer. Instead, he finds the magician’s grandson, who has forgotten everything he was taught.

Fever Crumb. By Philip Reeve. 2010. Scholastic, $17.99. Gr. 6–9.

Set hundreds of years before the Hungry City Chronicles, this story of young Fever Crumb digs into the foundations of Reeve’s intricately imagined future, including how cities started gobbling each other up.

Finnikin of the Rock. By Melina Marchetta. 2010. Candlewick, $18.99. Gr. 8–12.

Ten years ago, the royal family of Lumatere was murdered by assassins and the kingdom ravaged by a blood curse. Now, a group of outcasts, led by the son of a former royal guard, look to resurrect the hopes of their people.

Fire. By Kristin Cashore. 2009. Dial, $17.99. Gr. 8–12.

This romantic and suspenseful fantasy, a prequel of sorts to Graceling (2008) set in an adjoining kingdom, introduces another deadly strong heroine who struggles to use her formidable powers for good.

Incarceron. By Catherine Fisher. 2010. Dial, $17.99. Gr. 9–12.

No one from Outside ever goes into Incarceron, a vast futuristic prison gripped by tyranny and strife, and no one Inside ever escapes. Until Finn finds a crystal key that unlocks every door, and the great escape is on.