ABSTRACT
Both fantasy and speculative fiction allow young adults to enter imaginary landscapes where they can not only escape their world but also attain the distance necessary to see it more clearly. This chapter explores the different kinds of worlds created in classic and contemporary fantasy literature and identifies some of its themes and motifs. Then the chapter discusses speculative fiction, a category that is broader than science fiction because it poses questions drawn from the social sciences as often as from the physical sciences. Particular attention is given to the dystopian fiction for young adults that has become prevalent, especially since the success of The Hunger Games franchise. Gender and diversity issues in fantasy and speculative fiction are highlighted, and teaching ideas are presented for using both fantasy and speculative fiction in the classroom.
