Some 1980s children’s science fiction stories were serious, and some were just for fun. On the serious side, the 1980s was at the tail end of the Cold War, and you can see hints of the decades of fear over the use of nuclear weapons or the possibility of being taken over by repressive government even in children’s literature. When you look at some of these 1980s children’s science fiction books, you’ll see that some of them show possible futures where human society on Earth struggles to recover after a nuclear war, rediscovering lost technology, as in The Magician’s Apprentice Trilogy.
On the lighter side, other children’s books explored the possibilities of new inventions and new technologies or the adventure of space travel, meeting aliens, or experiencing life on other planets. Some of these were more realistic, and some were more played for fun and humor. There were also books that explored the science of the human mind, with metaphysical themes or people with psychic abilities.
Individual Books
Double Trouble (1987)
A set of twins, separated by the deaths of their parents and moving to new guardians, practice astral projection and other psychic skills and solve the mystery of a creepy teacher. By Barthe DeClements and Christopher Greimes.
Top Secret (1984)
Allen turns himself into a plant person in order to impress his science teacher. By John Reynolds Gardiner.
Series
A boy named Richard is recruited to help save Earth from various threats by a small alien named Aric, who arrives at his house in free samples of food. By Stephanie Spinner and Jonathan Etra. 1988-1994.
A group of dissidents sent into exile on an alien world struggle to survive and join with others to rebel against Earth’s oppressive government. 1984-1985.
Kleep is a girl who lives on another planet and solves unusual problems and mysteries with the help of her best friend, her robot, and her inventor grandfather. By Joan Lowery Nixon. 1981.
The Magician’s Apprentice Trilogy
In the far distant future, “magicians” try to reclaim long forgotten knowledge and technology, which they think of as “spells.” By Tom McGowen. 1987-1989.
Miss Pickerell is an elderly woman who has scientific adventures with her pet cow. 1951-1986.
The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks Series
Michael and his brother Norman grow a pair of sock-eating plants. By Nancy McArthur. 1988-1999.
Tom Swift
The science fiction adventures of a boy inventor named Tom Swift. This series was released in several sub-series, some of which focused on the son of the original Tom Swift, Tom Swift, Jr. Some of the later series leave it vague whether the boy in the series is Tom Swift, Jr. or possibly the grandson of the original Tom Swift. The original Tom Swift series was written and published 1910-1941. Later series were released 1954-1971, 1981-1984, 1991-1993, 2006-2007, 2019. A Stratemeyer Syndicate series.
Tripods Trilogy
In a dystopian future, humans on Earth are controlled by aliens known as the “Masters” through large three-legged machines called “Tripods” and devices called “Caps” implanted into the humans’ brains. However, the mind control devices can only be implanted when the humans’ brain cases are finished growing, at age 14, and some of the younger ones still have the will to rebel. They join with others who have managed to avoid being “Capped” and form a resistance. By John Christopher. 1967-1968, 1988.
Jestress's Forgotten Books and Stories 