What if………………….? Authors chose to write in the science fiction genre because it allows them to reflect upon different scenarios in the future, based on what’s happening today. Science fiction allows us to investigate our society’s fears, dilemmas and concerns if we take a certain course of action, or if we keep doing things the way that we are.

Science Fiction Unit Details You will have your choice of book, but can only read here at school; You will have daily activities, but may read at your own pace; As you are reading, mark: golden lines, sections that make you think, and you will write down a what if question or a question about the story; You will be expected to read, do the daily work and participate in small group discussions. Your two major projects will be: creation of a utopian school and a heroes project.

Why Science Fiction? Makes us consider the emotional, psychological, and physical effects of futuristic ideas, conflict and change. Encourages us to keep an open mind to consider unlimited possibilities. Provokes questions regarding other forms of life, thereby bringing our own into perspective. Stimulates curiosity and the capacity for invention. Presents the reader with moral and ethical dilemmas that correspond to the real world.

Discussion Details Golden Lines Each person chooses one line to share (interesting, agree/disagree, made you think…) Each person shares their line and says WHY they chose it (no discussion yet, share only) Post-its/Interactive Discussion Someone shares a post-it thought. Group members discuss their thoughts/comments until that point is exhausted or everyone has shared. Group What if…? Question to write/post As a group, come up with a question to share based on that day’s discussion.

Time Machine Challenging A time traveler travels way into the future and realizes that humans have created amazing technology, but begins to understand it may mean the extinction of humanity.

The Giver Jonas lives in a "perfect" world where war, disease, and suffering have all been eradicated. Everything is in order; everything is under control. The people have no worries or cares. The Community strives for "sameness," in which everyone and everything are the same and equal.

The Invisible Man When a stranger arrives in the small English town of Iping, the owners of a local inn bless their good fortune at having a customer in the off-season—even if he appears to be a bit odd. With his head covered in bandages and his hands constantly gloved, the inn’s mistress assumes this stranger has some kind of terrible disfigurement. The truth, however, is even more shocking.

The Phantom Tollbooth For Milo, everything is a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different and Milo realizes something astonishing: life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams…

Among the Hidden -Born third at a time when having more than two children per family is illegal and subject to seizure and punishment by the Population Police, Luke has spent all of his 12 years in hiding. His parents disobeyed once by having him and are determined not to do anything unlawful again. At first the woods around his family's farm are thick enough to conceal him when he plays and works outdoors, but when the government develops some of that land for housing, his world narrows to just the attic. Gazing through an air vent at new homes, he spies a child's face at a window after the family of four has already left for the day. Is it possible that he is not the only hidden child? Answering this question brings Luke greater danger than he has ever faced before, but also greater possibilities for some kind of life outside of the attic.

Divergent Tris Prior lives in a futuristic world in which society is divided into five factions. As each person enters adulthood, he or she must choose a faction and commit to it for life. Tris chooses Dauntless -- those who pursue bravery above all else. However, her initiation leads to the discovery that she is a Divergent and will never be able to fit into just one faction. Warned that she must conceal her status, Tris uncovers a looming war which threatens everyone she loves. *Dystopia: a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding.

Legends June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death.

The White Mountains Mid-Level/Easier Will Parker makes a difficult journey to escape from the ruling Tripods who capture human beings.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Mid-Level Both a thrilling page-turner and a moral allegory, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde depicts the struggle between good and evil, vying for the soul of one man. Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic endures as one of the most engrossing and thought-provoking novels of all time.

Frankenstein Difficult Frankenstein, obsessed with scientific theories focused on natural wonders, watches lightning strike an oak tree and is inspired to harness its power. He develops a technique to bring inanimate bodies to life, including that of a monster creature eight feet tall. But Victor is upset by his creation and what he perceives to be his failure. He rejects the monster, who is left despondent and vowing revenge.

Fahrenheit 451 CHALLENGING Guy Montag starts out as a politically correct fireman who loves doing his job, which is burning books. He’s married and lives a normal lifestyle in a society where reading is illegal, and being intellectual is frowned upon. Guy meets up with an unusual neighbor who begins to change his thinking and soon he’s running for his life from an oversized mechanical hound.