Trying to find awesome science fiction books for 5th graders? That’s wonderful! Sci-fi books are so fun and entertaining for creative young minds! This massive collection includes science fiction masterpieces, graphic novels, and fantasy favorites.
Reading sci-fi and fantasy books was one of my favorite pastimes as a child (and beyond). This collection of the best science fiction books for 5th graders will help you find some amazing books for your kids!
“Science fiction books for 5th graders” is a HUGE category because there is no limit to the imagination of these authors. To make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for, I’ve organized the books into the sections below.
You can click on these to jump to what interests you:
- Science Fiction Graphic Novels for 5th Graders
- Science Fiction Books for 5th Graders
- Fantasy Books for 5th Graders
Pause and pin now so you can find this later!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, when you make a purchase using one of my links.
Note: Prices listed are approximate and only reflect price at time of publication. Prices are subject to change.
Science Fiction Graphic Novels for 5th Graders
I wasn’t exposed to graphic novels when I was a child so I never really got into reading that format, but my daughter LOVES them. Collections of science fiction books for 5th graders often include graphic novels because they fit the genre well.
These science fiction graphic novels for kids have incredible artwork that truly makes the stories come to life. Young readers may especially appreciate the format because the ratio of images to text makes these novels less intimidating to read.
1. The Invasion: A Graphic Novel (Animorphs Book 1)
by K. A. Applegate (Author), Michael Grant (Author), Chris Grine (Illustrator)
This graphic novel is based on the bestselling Animorphs series. This book is a good adaptation for kids who love graphic novels, plus it’s a fairly easy read with small chunks of text so it’s perfect for younger children.
It tells the story of Jake and his friends who get the power to transform into animals after encountering a ufo. It will be up to them to protect the Earth from an invasion! This story will really appeal to kids because it’s about a group of teen/tween friends who share a grand adventure, and being able to see the characters in action will draw the readers in.
2. Lowriders in Space
by Cathy Camper (Author), Raul the Third (Illustrator)
This is the first book in a 3 book series. This book is such a unique and fun concept. Go on a wild ride with this team of space mechanics who enter a car contest and so they set out to transform a junker into a winning car so that they can open their own space grace with the winnings!
What’s especially wonderful about this one is the art style is so fresh and interesting. Take a look for yourself! Once you click the link, click on “look inside” and you’ll be able to see what I mean. The images have a sketch & graffiti vibe and the color scheme is reminiscent of vintage cartoons. Plus there is so much detail that your eyes want to spend time feasting on each corner of the page.
Plus, the book is infused with Spanish words and science terms and includes a glossary to help readers learn! The other two books in the series are Lowriders to the Center of the Earth and Lowriders Blast from the Past.
3. Amulet #1-8 Box Set
by Kazu Kibuishi (Author, Illustrator)
This is a #1 New Your Times bestselling series! This is a collection of the first eight books in the series. Amulet tells the adventures of Emily and her brother who enter a sci-fi world on a quest to rescue their mom. Emily ends up finding out that she is really special and has a big role to play in protecting our world.
This series of graphic novels is great for kids in the 5th grade age range, but parents seem to love it too and kids find the graphics and story super engrossing.
4. El Deafo
by Cece Bell (Author)
This is an empowering tale about navigating the difficulties of being different as a child in school. Winner of the Newbery Honor award and a #1 New York Times bestseller, El Deafo is a story of Cece, who has to wear a hearing aid strapped to her chest in order to hear her teacher. Everyone was deaf at her owl school, so at her new school, she feels especially different and lonely.
The hearing aid ends up being her superpower because she’s able to hear her teacher anywhere in the school. What she really wants, however, is a true friend. Kids will be able to relate to the challenges of being a child, especially how difficult it can be to make friends. The author infuses the story with truth from her own experiences as a child dealing with deafness, making the book uniquely engaging.
This graphic novel has been turned into a tv show that kids and parents can enjoy together!
5. Out from Boneville: A Graphic Novel
by Jeff Smith (Author, Illustrator)
This is the first book in the incredibly popular Bone series. It is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, and a Will Eisner Award winner. Three Bone cousins are run out of Boneville and they have to find their way back to each other and to their home. Their adventures take them through challenging lands and scary creatures.
You can actually get the entire series in one hardcover collection, but my daughter lectured me about how the collection is in black and white but the individual books have color so I felt compelled to add the individual book to this book list.
Here’s the Bone collection:
6. The Zita the Spacegirl Trilogy Boxed Set
by Ben Hatke (Author)
New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Ben Hatke brings us this fun adventure trilogy set in outer space features the main character Zita, who goes on epic space adventures fighting monsters and saving planets. This box set includes all three Zita the Spacegirl graphic novels:
- Zita the Spacegirl: This novel introduces Zita, who goes on a grand space adventure when her best friend gets taken by aliens and it’s up to her to rescue her.
- Legends of Zita the Spacegirl: The second book in the trilogy follows Zita’s efforts to find her way back home to earth, which is not an easy task.
- The Return of Zita the Spacegirl: Zita the space heroine is back, and in space jail! This planetary jailbreak story is exciting and entertaining.
7. The Mighty Jack Trilogy Boxed Set
by Ben Hatke (Author)
This box set includes the entire Mighty Jack trilogy. Follow Mighty Jack on crazy adventures with his friends. This graphic novel set brings in inspiration from fairy tales (think magic beans) plus it takes readers to new, intergalactic worlds.
8. 5 Worlds Book Series
by Mark Siegel (Author), Alexis Siegel (Author), Xanthe Bouma (Illustrator)
This book series takes kids on an interplanetary adventure! Follow three children who end up on an epic space odyssey across new worlds. In the midst of facing action and mystery, they come together as a team, and as friends. This is perfect for young readers who are fascinated by the thought of being on an alien planet.
9. CatStronauts Series Set of 5 Books
by Drew Brockington (Author)
Cat astronauts…need I say more?! Kids will love this felines in space science fiction series that includes Mission Moon, Race to Mars, Space Station Situation, Robot Rescue, and Slapdash Science. Follow the highly trained space cats who go on daring missions to save the planet!
10. Hilo: The Great Big Box (Books 1-6)
by Judd Winick (Author)
This New York Times bestselling series has tons of action and humor. The story follows the journey of D.J. and Gina, ordinary Earth kids, and Hilo, who suddenly fell out of the sky one day. The box set includes:
- Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth
- Hilo: Saving the Whole Wide World
- Hilo: The Great Big Boom
- Hilo: Waking the Monsters
- Hilo: Then Everything Went Wrong
- Hilo: All the Pieces Fit
11. Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior Diamond Box Set
by Cube Kid (Author)
This graphic novel series is perfect for kids who love Minecraft and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Go on an adventure with this 8-bit villager who fights his way to warrior status by protecting friends and taking down monsters. The series includes:
- Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior
- Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior: From Seeds to Swords
- Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior: Crafting Alliances
- Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior: Path of the Diamond
- Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior: Quest Mode
- Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior: Forging Destiny
12. Miles Morales: Shock Waves (Original Spider-Man Graphic Novel)
by Justin A. Reynolds (Author), Pablo Leon (Illustrator)
Who doesn’t love Spider-Man? This graphic novel is about Miles Morales who swings through town doing his best to be a hero. Life isn’t easy for heroes though, especially when balancing school and family responsibilities.
13. Trapped in a Video Game: The Complete Series
by Dustin Brady (Author), Jesse Brady (Illustrator)
Video-game lovers will enjoy this series where a 12-year-old boy and his friends deal with getting sucked into a video game. These fun adventures are full of video game gadgets and boss levels, plus shady video game company conspiracies to make things even more interesting and challenging! The series includes:
- Book One: Trapped in a Video Game
- Book Two: The Invisible Invasion
- Book Three: Robots Revolt
- Book Four: Return to Doom Island
- Book Five: The Final Boss
14. The Bad Guys Box Set: Books 1-5
by Aaron Blabey (Author, Illustrator)
These books are for younger readers, but they’re perfect for 5th graders at this reading level, or anyone who loves hilarious short stories about bad guys trying to be good by foiling the sci-fi plans of evil-doers like a hamster mad scientist! There’s a great movie based on the series so if your kids read these books I recommend watching the movie together! The box set includes:
- The Bad Guys
- The Bad Guys in Mission Unpluckable
- The Bad Guys in the Furball Strikes Back
- The Bad Guys in Attack of the Zittens
- The Bad Guys in Interstellar Gas
15. The Last Kids on Earth: The Monster Box (books 1-3)
by Max Brallier (Author), Douglas Holgate (Illustrator)
What happens when a group of children find themselves faced with a zombie apocalypse? This New York Times bestselling series follows the adventures of Jack and his friends who go on action-packed adventures, trying to triumph over monsters monsters. This box set includes the first three books in the eight-book series:
- The Last Kids on Earth
- The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade
- The Last Kids on Earth and the Nightmare King
16. Gravity Falls: Lost Legends: 4 All-New Adventures!
by Alex Hirsch (Author)
This graphic novel is a collection of 4 new stories that follow the wonderful Gravity Falls Disney series. The cartoon is amazing, and kids who’ve watched it will be eager to get more content in this New York Times bestselling graphic novel. Plus, the narrator is one of the favorite characters, the creepy and beloved gnome, Schmebulock.
17. Dog Man: The Supa Epic Collection: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (Dog Man #1-6 Box Set)
by Dav Pilkey (Author, Illustrator)
This graphic book series follows Dog Man, a brave hero who happens to be part dog. Adventue-filled and funny, this collection is great for younger readers and teaches kids about empathy and kindness. This set includes:
- Dog Man, Dog Man Unleashed
- Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties
- Dog Man and Cat Kid
- Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas
- Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild
Science Fiction Books for 5th Graders
These science fiction books for 5th graders are filled with dangerous adventures, mysteries, plot twists, and plenty of life lessons along the way. I love that the science fiction genre is full of book series because it’s comforting to know you’ll have lots more to read once you get into one!
18. Daughter of the Deep
by Rick Riordan (Author)
New York Times best-selling Rick Riordan brings us this deep-sea sci-fi adventure reminiscent of Jules Verne. On a class weekend at sea, Ana finds deadly adventure and school rivalry.
19. The Shadow Children, the Complete Series
by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Author)
In this science fiction world, families are only allowed to have two children so any third child has to live a dangerous, hidden life as a shadow child. This set includes:
- Among the Hidden
- Among the Impostors
- Among the Betrayed
- Among the Barons
- Among the Brave
- Among the Enemy
- Among the Free
20. The Last Book in the Universe
by Rodman Philbrick (Author)
This futuristic novel is about a teenage boy who lives in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where the days of books have long passed. He starts learning about what the world used to be like from an old man he encounters. They set off together on a quest to make the world a better place.
21. Alone
by Megan E. Freeman (Author)
This novel tells the experiences of Maddie, a twelve-year-old who wakes up one day and finds that she has been left behind in a town that has been evacuated. Along with her dog, she learns to survive on her own through many challenges.
22. A Videogame Stole My Sister (Metaverse Legends)
by Justin M. Stone (Author)
join Lucas on an epic video game adventure to rescue his sister who has been stolen by the game! He has to face ninjas, zombies, and more to get his sister back. This one’s perfect for kids who love video games!
23. 
The Last Cuentista
by Donna Barba Higuera (Author)
This novel is a wondrous tale about Petra, a girl whose family is sent into space along with other survivors after the Earth is hit by a comet. Many years after leaving her planet, she wakes up on a new planet and she is the only one who remembers Earth! Luckily, Petra is a storyteller, like her grandmother, and it will be up to her to use history to save the future.
24. The Mysterious Benedict Society Paperback Boxed Set
by Trenton Lee Stewart (Author)
This bestselling and award-winning series is perfect for kids who long for childhood adventures. The Mysterious Benedict Society puts out an ad in the newspaper for gifted children to go through a series of tests and challenges. This secret mission calls for the smartest, most creative children to go undercover at a special school. This is the complete boxed set, including:
- The Mysterious Benedict Society
- The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey
- The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma
- The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict
- The Riddle of Ages
25. The Lion of Mars
by Jennifer L. Holm (Author)
This New York Times bestseller takes children along on the great story of Bell. By all accounts a normal kid just like any other, but with one special difference, he happens to live on Mars. Child readers will love learning about all the unique conditions of living on Mars. Plus, Bell and the other children on Mars have to save the day when there is a virus breakout that only affects adults.
26. The Secret Lake: A children’s mystery adventure (Secret Lake Mystery Adventures)
by Karen Inglis (Author)
This bestseller is a fascinating adventure. Stella and her little brother are in England for the summer when they uncover a secret tunnel that leads to a hidden lake. The lake allows them to time travel about 100 years in the past! While in the past, they make new friends and uncover mysteries that connect to how things are in the present. Kids will also enjoy the second book in the series, Return to the Secret Lake.
27. The Wild Robot
by Peter Brown (Author)
Roz is a robot. Alone on a wild island, she needs to figure out how to survive. Roz figures out how to stay alive and make friends with animals on the island, but her origins start presenting challenges for her. This children’s robot fiction book is heartwarming and full of action. Make sure to grab the second book for more robot adventures, The Wild Robot Escapes.
28. The Giver Quartet Box Set
by Lois Lowry (Author)
The Giver is a Newbery Medal award winner by Lois-Lowry. Set in a dystopian future, where people are assigned their jobs and partners, this book follows the story of a boy who starts discovering the dark side of his seemingly-idyllic society. This box set also includes Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.
29. Mortal Engines Collection 7 Books Set
by Philip Reeve (Author)
This imaginative series by Philip Reeves is set in the Traction Era, a post-apocalyptic world where cities are mobile and fight to survive. This box set includes the entire Mortal Engines Series:
- Mortal Engines
- Predator’s Gold
- Infernal Devices
- A Darkling Plain
- Fever Crumb
- A Web of Air
- Scrivener’s Moon
30. Larklight (3-book series)
by Philip Reeve (Author)
Philip Reeve brings us another incredible sci-fi series. This is a Victorian space adventure that follows the story of Art, a normal boy whose home is taken by a race of giant white spiders. After having to leave his home, he joins up with a band of space pirates. The other two books in the series are Starcross: Larklight 2 and Mothstorm.
31. Pi in the Sky
by Wendy Mass (Author)
A space pie delivery service? This fun story is about Joss, a young boy who delivers delicious pies across the galaxy. When Earth disappears, it’s up to Joss and his best friend to figure out what happened and save the day.
32. Animorphs Retro Tin Set
by K.A. Applegate (Author)
This tin set includes the first six books of the beloved Animorphs series. Animorphs was such a cool sci-fi series to read in elementary school. The cover art featuring a child morphing into an animal is still awesome to look at, and this set has all the original covers! These popular science fiction books for 5th graders series are about a group of friends who receive the power to morph into any animal they touch after an encounter with a spaceship. They end up having to use their powers to protect the planet!
This set includes:
- The Invasion
- The Visitor
- The Encounter
- The Message
- The Predator
- The Capture
33. Rick Riordan Presents Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
by Kwame Mbalia (Author)
Tristan Strong is a seventh-grader trying to cope with the tragedy of losing his best friend. Suddenly, he finds himself thrust into an epic adventure in a fantastical world away from home where he must help Black American folk heroes save the world. The other two books in the series are Rick Riordan Presents Tristan Strong Destroys the World and Rick Riordan Presents Tristan Strong Keeps Punching.
34. The Wrinkle in Time Quintet Boxed Set
by Madeleine L’Engle (Author)
This is Madeline L’Engle’s highly-acclaimed, classic sci-fi/fantasy series. The first book in the series, A Wrinkle in Time, has been adapted to film several times and tells the story of the O’Keefe siblings (Meg, Charles Wallace, and their older brother Calvin) whose father goes missing while working for the government on a “tesseract” project. The siblings go on an adventure that spans space and time to rescue their father. The other books in the series include:
- A Wind in the Door
- A Swiftly Tilting Planet
- Many Waters
- An Acceptable Time
35. Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble
by D. Robert Pease (Author), Robert D. Pease (Author)
While most kids are in middle school, Noah Zarc is a twelve-year-old time and space-traveling pilot. When his parents are put in danger on faraway lands, it will be up to him to save them and protect the Earth from being destroyed. This fun adventure is the first book in a series that includes Noah Zarc: Cataclysm, Noah Zarc: Declaration, and Noah Zarc: Omnibus.
36. The Martian
by Andy Weir (Author)
this #1 New York Times Bestseller is a gripping tale about the will and ingenuity to survive. Mark Watney is an astronaut who gets stranded on Mars. With no hope of rescue, he must use his intellect and skills to find a way to survive on the desolate red planet. This book was adapted into a motion picture starring Matt Damon, and it’s definitely worth a watch after reading this enthralling book!
37. The Hunger Games Trilogy
by Suzanne Collins (Author)
This enormously popular series appears on most book lists of the best science fiction books. The dystopian story follows Katniss Everdeen as she faces a corrupt classist system where teenagers from each district are pitted against each other in a fight to the death, the annual Hunger Games. Through ingenuity, bravery, and assistance from like-minded friends, Katniss is able to challenge the status quo and fights to bring down the cruel system she lives in.
With plenty of action and love stories, tweens won’t be able to put it down. Plus, the books were adapted into blockbuster movies that fans will love! The trilogy includes:
- The Hunger Games
- Catching Fire
- Mockingjay
38. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
by Roald Dahl (Author)
Charlie and the Chocolate factory is one of Rold Dahl’s most popular books. It takes kids on an adventure inside the fantastical chocolate factory of Willy Wonka. The sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, goes beyond the factory into an outer space adventure. A wonderful elementary school read, this set will delight 5th graders.
39. Jules Verne Collection
by Jules Verne (Author), CSA Publishing (Author), Lewis Page Mercier (Translator), Frederick Amadeus Malleson (Translator), George Makepeace Towle (Translator)
It’s impossible to create a list of science fiction books for 5th graders without including Jules Verne. Readers of these classic books can expect prehistoric monsters, underwater adventures, and globe-traveling discoveries as they follow Jules Verne’s brilliant storytelling through fantastical worlds. This collection includes these sci-fi classics:
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
- Journey to the Center of the Earth
- Around the World in 80 Days
- A Complete Biography of Jules Verne
40. Artemis Fowl Series Collection
by Eoin Colfer (Author)
This is another series that is often featured on lists of great science fiction books for 5th graders. This sci-fi fantasy series presents the incredible adventures of twelve-year-old criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl. After accidentally kidnapping a fairy, he ends up on a series of dangerous and spectacular adventures with all manner of creatures and settings. The 8-book set includes:
- Artemis Fowl
- The Arctic Incident
- The Eternity Code
- The Opal Deception
- The Lost Colony
- The Time Paradox
- The Atlantis Complex
- The Last Guardian
41. The City of Ember Complete Boxed Set
by Jeanne DuPrau (Author)
The City of Ember is an underground haven for humans. Long considered the only safe place for humans, the city is under threat from unexplained blackouts. Lina and Doon find a secret that may save humanity, but they must embark on a perilous adventure with no guarantee of success. Fans can enjoy the movie adaptation of the first book in the series, The City of Ember. This collection includes all the books in the series:
- The City of Ember
- The People of Sparks
- The Diamond of Darkhold
- The Prophet of Yonwood
Fantasy Books for 5th Graders
While it’s considered a different genre, fantasy and science fiction often blend. This part of the collection is dedicated to wonderful books that lean more into the fantasy genre and often transport young kids into a different world.
42. Harry Potter Paperback Box Set
by J. K. Rowling (Author), Mary GrandPré (Illustrator)
Friendship, bravery, and overcoming misfortune characterize this incredibly popular bestselling series by J.K. Rowling. With wonderful movies to accompany the book series, this epic fantasy adventure is hard not to love. Harry, Ron, and Hermione become fast friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy and soon become embroiled in the mysteries that threaten the wizarding world. This box set includes all the books in the series:
- Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
43. The Dark Is Rising Series
by Susan Cooper (Author)
This epic fantasy series finds Will, who finds out he not an ordinary boy but is the last of the “Old Ones,” in a grand adventure to save humanity from the evil of the Dark. He and some of his siblings must face fear and death in a quest through ancient myths to find a weapon that can defeat the Dark. This collection includes the entire series:
- Over Sea, Under Stone
- The Dark Is Rising
- Greenwitch
- The Grey King
- Silver on the Tree
44. The Chronicles of Narnia Box Set
by C. S. Lewis (Author)
This classic fantasy series by C.S. Lewis transports readers to fantastical lands full of talking creatures, epic battles, and plenty of magic. This set includes all the books in the series:
- The Magician’s Nephew
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- The Horse and His Boy
- Prince Caspian
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
- The Silver Chair
- The Last Battle
45. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
by Robert C. O’Brien (Author), Zena Bernstein (Illustrator)
This is the story of Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, one of whom has pneumonia. She ends up meeting the rats of NIMH who are very intelligent and can help her keep her family safe. In return, she does them a great service.
46. Warriors Box Set
by Erin Hunter (Author)
Enter a thrilling fantasy world of warrior cats. With the fate of his clan in the balance, Rusty, an ordinary housecat, must rise to become a brave warrior and save the clan! This collection includes the complete first series:
- Into the Wild
- Fire and Ice
- Forest of Secrets
- Rising Storm
- A Dangerous Path
- The Darkest Hour
47. Wings of Fire Boxset
by Tui T. Sutherland (Author)
This New York Times bestselling series is about a long-standing war between dragon tribes. Tasked with saving their world, five young dragons need to figure out how to navigate their destiny while trying to maintain their freedom. This set includes the first five books in the series:
- The Dragonet Prophecy
- The Lost Heir
- The Hidden Kingdom
- The Dark Secret
- The Brightest Night
48. Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5 Book Paperback Boxed Set
by Rick Riordan (Author), John Rocco (Illustrator)
Percy Jackson is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. Readers can join Percy and his demigod friends on thrilling adventures inspired by Greek mythology. They go on a series of quests where they fight monsters and other mythological beings to save the Olympians. This set includes all the books in the series:
- The Lightning Thief
- The Sea of Monsters
- The Titan’s Curse
- The Battle of the Labyrinth
- The Last Olympian
49. The Spiderwick Chronicles
by Tony DiTerlizzi (Author), Holly Black (Author)
This #1 New York Times bestselling series finds siblings Jared, Simon, and Mallory on unexpected adventures once they find the fantasy world of Spiderwick. Full of interesting creatures and mystery, this series is beloved by fantasy lovers. This set includes:
- The Field Guide
- The Seeing Stone
- Lucinda’s Secret
- The Ironwood Tree
- The Wrath of Mulgrath
50. The Land of Stories Complete Paperback Gift Set
by Christopher Colfer (Author)
For kids who have ever wondered what it would be like to be in a fairy tale, this series takes them on exciting adventures through classic fairy tale worlds. Twins Alex and Conner get pulled into the land of stories where they encounter fairy tale characters and go on magical adventures. This set includes the complete series:
- The Wishing Spell
- The Enchantress Returns
- A Grimm Warning
- Beyond the Kingdoms
- An Author’s Odyssey
- Worlds Collide
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best science fiction books for 5th graders and that it helped you find the best book for your 5th-grade reader(s).
What to read next:
