Relatively current, this was published in 2009. The science is more speculative than accurate, but the story takes place in a genetically modified earth; just close enough to our world that we can recognize it, but with a whole different set of values. Fascinating stuff. Different. This couldn't have been written fifty years ago. Won some awards: Nebula Award 2009 & Hugo Award 2010 for best novel; Locus Award 2010 for best first novel. Check out the Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Windup_Girl

This is a great story, albeit 20 years old now, about machine-assisted learning in the adventures of a young girl. The science probably isn't all that accurate, but it just might catch, and fire up, the imagination of some middle school students. Check the Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diamond_Age