16
efore people actually went to outer space, they went there with their imaginations. Authors wrote about what they thought space and space travel was like. These books are called science ction . Science ction books are often about the future, or they take place on other worlds. These books often feature machines and tools that didn’t exist when the book was written. And sometimes there are interesting alien creatures!
How many words can you make with the letters in the word SPACESHIP?
Zita the Spacegirl By Ben Hatke
From the Earth to the Moon By Jules Verne Read about each of these books. Then check o the reasons each one is considered a science ction book. What Makes It Science Fiction?
In this 2011 book, an earthling named Zita is transported to a mysterious planet after her friend is kidnapped by an alien. She leaps to the rescue but has to deal with humanoid chickens, angry robots, weird creatures with tentacles, a friendly giant mouse, and the impending destruction of the planet she’s standing on. Wow!
A
H
In this book, written in 1865, three men build a giant cannon called the Columbiad to launch themselves to the moon in a bullet-shaped capsule. Jules Verne called the Columbiad a “spaceship.” Some people say that this was the first time in history that the word spaceship was used. This book is science ction because it: Takes place in the future. Takes place in another world. Features technology that didn’t exist when this
This book is science ction because it: Takes place in the future.
Takes place in another world. Features technology that didn’t exist when this book was written. Has alien creatures.
B
G
book was written. Has alien creatures.
C
D
E
F
© Vicki Whiting May 2025
www.familyresourcegroupinc.com
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker