For Educators & Librarians

Welcome to Dark Space—a standalone sci-fi horror series designed to engage even the most reluctant readers.

Each title in the Dark Space series is a fast-paced, kid-centered adventure inspired by a classic sci-fi short story from the public domain. These eerie, imaginative tales are packed with thrilling mysteries, weird science, and just the right amount of creepy—perfect for middle-grade students ages 9–12.

Why Educators Love Dark Space:

✅ High-Interest, Low-Pressure
Every story stands on its own. No long series to track—just one thrilling book at a time. Great for independent reading, book clubs, or lit circles.

✅ Inspired by Classic Literature
Each book reimagines a vintage sci-fi tale, giving students a fun entry point into early science fiction history and public domain literature.

✅ Diverse & Relatable Characters
Kid protagonists from all backgrounds face eerie adventures in space, tech, time travel, and alternate dimensions.

✅ Built-in Discussion Topics
Themes include AI ethics, time loops, reality vs illusion, alien contact, and the power of choice—ideal for class discussions, writing prompts, or interdisciplinary tie-ins.

✅ Great for Genre Exploration
Helps students explore sci-fi and horror through a middle-grade lens, expanding their genre literacy while having fun.

Classroom Ideas & Extensions

  • Compare & Contrast: Read a Dark Space title alongside the original public domain short story it was based on. Discuss what was updated, what changed, and why.
  • Creative Writing Prompts: Have students write their own twist endings or “what if” sequels to a story they’ve read.
  • STEM Connections: Explore the real science (or pseudo-science!) behind teleportation, AI, alien ecosystems, and time travel.
  • Thematic Units: Group books by topic (AI, space, time travel, etc.) for deeper study across multiple stories.
  • Book Clubs: Let students choose from several standalone titles and come together to discuss themes, fears, and favorite plot twists.

Want Free Teaching Materials?

We’re building printable guides, discussion questions, and classroom activities to go with key titles. Want early access?

📬 Sign up for our Educator List and we’ll send you free downloadable resources as soon as they’re ready.

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Contact & Requests

Have a specific request We’d love to hear from you.

📩 Reach out via our Contact Page.

Dark Space by Ell Orvell
Where every eerie story begins with a question: What if the strange thing is real?