George’s Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy and Stephen Hawking

George's pet pig breaks through the fence into the garden next door - introducing him to his new neighbours: the scientist, Eric, his daughter, Annie, and a super-intelligent computer called Cosmos. And from that moment George's life will never be the same again.

Themes: scientists, technology, space, adventure

Harley Hitch and the Iron Forest by Vashti Hardy

The Iron Forest near Harley's home is unlike any other - plants and trees grow cogs and hinges and other mechanical parts - and all of Inventia depends on it. So when a strange fungus is discovered, there's a race to find a solution. Without essential parts for inventions, the town is quickly falling apart...

Themes: ecosystem, nature, friendship, adventure, fantasy

Song For a Whale by Lynne Kelly

Iris was born deaf, but she's never let that define her; after all, it's the only life she's ever known. During a science lesson about sound waves, Iris finds out about a whale who is unable to communicate with other whales. She's determined to show him that someone in the world knows he's there.

Themes: physics, nature, deafness, loneliness, friendship

Iris was born deaf, but she's never let that define her; after all, it's the only life she's ever known. During a science lesson about sound waves, Iris finds out about a whale who is unable to communicate with other whales. She's determined to show him that someone in the world knows he's there.

Themes: physics, nature, deafness, loneliness, friendship

Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll

After becoming friends with Adrien, Cora is also drawn into the mysterious projects at Pomegranate. At first, she's intrigued by them - Pomegranate is using AI to recreate real people in hologram form. As she digs deeper, however, she uncovers darker secrets...

Themes: AI, scientists, technology, friendship, mystery

Wonderscape by Jennifer Bell

When Arthur, Ren and Cecily investigate a mysterious explosion on their way to school, they find themselves trapped aboard The Principia, a scientific research ship. Lost in the year 2473 in the Wonderscape, an epic in-reality adventure game, they must call on the help of some unlikely historical heroes.

Themes: technology, other worlds, fantasy, friendship, adventure

It’s the End of the World As We Know It by Saci Lloyd

When teenager Mikey Malone gets sucked through a wormhole into this parallel world, he discovers a power-crazed corporation is planning to use Earth as a dumping ground for an uncontrollable poisonous algae. It's a race against time for Mikey and his rebel friends to stop the ruthless tyrants.

Themes: funny, bizarre, other worlds, adventure, friendship

The Many Worlds of Albie Bright by Christopher Edge

When Albie's mum dies, it's natural he should wonder where she's gone. His parents are both scientists and they usually have all the answers. Dad mutters something about Albie's mum being alive and with them in a parallel universe, so Albie sets out to find her.

Themes: physics, scientists, grief, family, other worlds

Contagion by Teri Terry

An epidemic is sweeping the country, and those who survive the disease are highly dangerous. Young runaway Callie survived the disease, but not the so-called treatment. Her brother Kai is still looking for her. And his new friend Shay may hold the key to uncovering what truly happened.

Themes: epidemic, disease, mystery, dystopia, survival

An epidemic is sweeping the country, and those who survive the disease are highly dangerous. Young runaway Callie survived the disease, but not the so-called treatment. Her brother Kai is still looking for her. And his new friend Shay may hold the key to uncovering what truly happened.

Themes: epidemic, disease, mystery, dystopia, survival

Breathe by Sarah Crossan

When oxygen levels plunge in a treeless world, a state lottery decides who will live inside the Pod. Everyone else will slowly suffocate. Anyone who opposes the regime is ejected from the Pod to die. Alina is part of the secret resistance, but when a mission goes wrong she is forced to escape from the Pod.

Themes: biology, ecosystem, survival, dystopia

We Are All Made of Molecules by Susan Nielsen

Stewart can’t quite fit in at his new school, and Ashley can’t quite get used to her totally awkward home, which is now filled with some rather questionable decor. And things are about to get a whole lot more mixed up when these two very different people attract the attention of school hunk Jared...

Themes: physics, school, blended family, relationships

The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day by Christopher Edge

It's Maisie's birthday and she can't wait to open her presents. She's hoping for the things she needs to build her own nuclear reactor. But she wakes to an empty house and outside the front door is nothing but a terrifying, all-consuming blackness. Maisie knows she will have to use the laws of the universe to survive.

Themes: physics, family, other worlds, survival

It's Maisie's birthday and she can't wait to open her presents. She's hoping for the things she needs to build her own nuclear reactor. But she wakes to an empty house and outside the front door is nothing but a terrifying, all-consuming blackness. Maisie knows she will have to use the laws of the universe to survive.

Themes: physics, family, other worlds, survival

The Infinite by Patience Agbabi

Leaplings, children born on the 29th of February, are very rare. Rarer still are Leaplings with The Gift - the ability to leap through time. Elle Bibi-Imbele Ifie has The Gift, but she's never used it. Until now. Other Leaplings are disappearing in time, and Elle must keep her wits about her to avoid the same fate.

Themes: time-travel, mystery, friendship, survival

Itchcraft by Simon Mayo

Itchingham Lofte, teenage element hunter and unlikely hero, has had anough excitement to last him a lifetime. But when a school trip to Spain ends in exploding currency and rioting locals, he knows that he has to continue to look for answers to save the lives of everyone around him.

Themes: scientists, adventure, mystery, peril, school, friendship

Blood Brother by Malcolm Rose

In a futuristic London, sixteen-year-old forensic investigator Luke Harding and his robotic assistant, Malc, investigate suspicious deaths at a local hospital. But Luke discovers something he hadn't bargained for - his father's DNA has appeared at several crime scenes.

Themes: futuristic, biology, robots, mystery, crime, family

Connor’s Eco Den by Pippa Goodhart

The Hogg family are bursting out of their small house so Mr Hogg challenges his three sons to build an extra bedroom themselves. One is made of sticks, one is made of stones and one is made of bricks – but which one is the best? Connor’s eco-den might look a little odd, but it’s all based on scientific facts he has learnt.

Themes: family, environment, eco-friendly, quick read