What next after Hunger Games?
A friend told me her kid loved The Hunger Games series and was looking for other books like them. I had plenty of ideas, both in the MG and YA realms.
If you want to really double down on the dystopian theme, here are some books and series to seek out:
Divergent series by Veronica Roth, started in 2011
An action-packed story set in Chicago of the future, where the city’s inhabitants are split into five factions.
Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld, started in 2005
Set in a world where every 16-year-old undergoes plastic surgery, Tally discovers that there may be a darker side to the transformation.
City of Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau, started in 2004
City of Ember takes place in an underground world. The citizens have clearly escaped some tragedy in the world above, but it’s been so long no one remembers what came before. Until one girl gets curious…
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, 2011
A world where people spend their much of their waking life in virtual reality space? Who would’ve imagined?
Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh, 2017
An fast-paced sci-fi story set in a future Neo Korea with mechs and weapons that certain kids (like mine!) will love.
Or if you’d like something fantasy or sci-fi, without a strong dystopian setting, here are some great options:
Lore by Alexandra Bracken, 2021
The ancient gods are real, and every few years they can have their powers seized by mortals. Cue the fight to the death.
Fairyland series by Catherynne Valente with illustrations by Ana Juan, started in 2011
Valente has created a Wizard of Oz for a new era. Her language and settings are so rich, I never wanted the books to end.
Sal and Gabi series by Carlos Hernandez, started in 2019
Hernandez delves into physics, the multiverse, grief, and morals while staying hilariously funny.
The Last Last Day of Summer by Lamar Giles with illustrations by Dapo Adeola, 2019
Cousins solve mysteries in a wacky hometown I wish were mine.
Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend, started in 2017
With some similarities to a certain series set at Hogwarts, these books focus on a neglected child who learns she has magical powers and is transported into a hidden world.
Akata Witch series by Nnedi Okorafor, started in 2011
Akata Witch uses the much-beloved magical training trope, this time set in Nigeria, with an intensity sure to pull in readers.