Families who loved The Scorch Trials by James Dashner often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your teenager is seeking a high-stakes adventure that mirrors the complex social pressures of high school and the uncertainty of the future. Set in a scorched wasteland, the story follows a group of teenagers forced into a brutal trial by a shadowy organization, testing their loyalty and resilience to the limit. It is an intense, fast-paced read that explores the weight of leadership and the difficulty of maintaining a moral compass when survival is on the line. While the world is bleak and the action is visceral, it provides a powerful platform for discussing how we choose who to trust during times of crisis. Due to the high level of violence and psychological tension, it is best suited for readers aged 13 and up who enjoy dark, thought-provoking science fiction.