Kids Realistic Stories

Looking for a real-life story? Something that is a bit more relatable, then have a look through our Realism List. We’ve selected some of the best in the genre just for you.

Updated June 6, 2023
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Wonder
Palacio, R. J.
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times Bestseller, A Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Booklist Best of Children's Books 2012 -- August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing...
Eventown
Haydu, Corey Ann.
Paper Book
Kirkus Best Books of 2019 * Kids' Indie Next Pick List * Bookpage Best Books of 2019: Middle Grade "Beautiful, mysterious and deeply satisfying." --Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me and Goodbye Stranger The world tilted for...
Rooftoppers
Rundell, Katherine
Paper Book
Embrace possibility in this luminous novel about a girl in search of her past who discovers a secret rooftop world in Paris. Everyone thinks that Sophie is an orphan. True, there were no other recorded female survivors from the shipwreck that left baby Sophie floating in the...
Farmer Boy Little House Series, Book 2
Wilder, Laura Ingalls
Audiobook
The second book in the treasured Little House series, Farmer Boy is Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved story of how her husband, Almanzo, grew up as a farmer boy far from the little house where Laura lived. The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both...
The Parker Inheritance
Johnson, Varian.
Paper Book
A Boston Globe / Horn Book Honor winner * Four Starred Reviews * Over Ten Best-of-Year Lists"Powerful.... Johnson writes about the long shadows of the past with such ambition that any reader with a taste for mystery will appreciate the puzzle Candice and Brandon must solve." -- The New York Times...
Blended
Draper, Sharon M.
Paper Book
Eleven-year-old Isabella's blended family is more divided than ever in this thoughtful story about divorce and racial identity from the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Out of My Mind, Sharon M. Draper. Eleven-year-old Isabella's parents are...
Kristy's big day
Martin, Ann M.
Paper Book
America's favorite series returns with a new look and a Netflix tv show. Kristy's mom is getting married, and everyone is coming to town to help, bringing their kids with them. Fourteen kids! Kristy is sure she and Stacey, Claudia, Mary Anne, and Dawn can handle it--they're professional baby-sitters...
Just under the clouds
Sarno, Melissa
Paper Book
Can you still have a home if you don't have a house? In the spirit of The Truth About Jellyfish and Fish in a Tree comes a stunning debut about a family struggling to find something lasting when everything feels so fleeting. Always think in threes and you'll never...
Maybe he just likes you
Dee, Barbara
Paper Book
A 2020 ALA Notable Children's Book A Washington Post Best Children's Book of 2019 Barbara Dee explores the subject of #MeToo for the middle grade audience in this heart-wrenching--and ultimately uplifting--novel about experiencing harassment and unwanted...
From the desk of Zoe Washington
Marks, Janae
Paper Book
#1 Kids Indie Next List * Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of the Year * SLJ Best Book of the Year * Kirkus Best Book of the Year * Junior Library Guild Selection * Edgar Award Nominee * Four Starred Reviews * Bank Street Best...

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