By Education Services Australia | 13 Oct, 2022
Dystopian fiction has broad appeal among teenagers. According to Jessica Finden, teacher librarian at Carmel College, dystopian stories help teenagers confront their fears and uncertainties about the future while offering a hopeful message.
Dystopian fiction introduces us to characters who face challenges that reflect real world events, helping teenagers to forge opinions on important issues. It creates a safe space for students to imagine a ‘what if’ situation and consider what they might do in an apocalyptic world.
This article explores how, as a genre, dystopian literature is a useful resource for school libraries. Engaging dystopian stories can be a useful vehicle to learn about global challenges and action-packed stories can attract even the most reluctant readers. The diverse array of titles on offer ensures that students can read about any topic they are interested in, and minority communities can see themselves reflected in the characters.