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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Tribal lores
Fusillo, Archimede
Paper Book
A moving and explosive tale about what happens when tradition and the need to belong collide. Frankie Rescio is struggling with the death of his sister. Next door, Lochie Marsh is about to have his world invaded by his estranged, pregnant half-sister and her layabout boyfriend...
Wonder
Palacio, R. J.
Ebook
'Has the power to move hearts and change minds' Guardian 'Tremendously uplifting and a novel of all-too-rare power' Sunday Express 'An amazing book . . . I absolutely loved it. I cried my eyes out' Tom Fletcher Read...
Tim & Tigon
Cope, Tim
Paper Book
Adventurer Tim Cope had a childhood dream: to travel the 10,000 kilometres from Mongolia to Hungary on horseback - a journey undertaken by the legendary leader of the Mongols, Genghis Khan. Tim made this epic journey - across the windswept wilderness and wolf-infested plateaux of Mongolia and...
Pirate boy of Sydney town
French, Jackie
The Little Wave
Harry, Pip
Ebook
A moving and heartwarming verse novel from CBCA shortlisted author Pip Harry about friendship, new experiences and staying true to yourself. When a Manly school sets out to bring a country class to the city for a beach visit, three very different kids find each other and themselves.Noah is fearless...
A different land
Jennings, Paul
Paper Book
A story of new beginnings in a new land, and a surprising, heartwarming companion to A Different Boy and A Different Dog.
A different boy
Jennings, Paul
Paper Book
A fantastic new Paul Jennings story, full of twists and turns, following the fortunes of a boy boarding a ship and leaving his past behind.
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...
The January stars
Constable, Kate
Paper Book
This thoroughly enjoyable novel about two sisters determined to help their grandfather will delight middle fiction readers of all ages. From the author of the bestselling and much-loved novels Crow Country & Cicada Summer.
Little bird flies
McCombie, Karen
Paper Book
Can Bridie escape her quiet island home and allow her wild dreams to take flight?
Help around the house
Gleitzman, Morris
Paper Book
*SHORTLISTED - REAL Children's Choice Awards 2019 *NOTABLE BOOK - CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2019 Ludo helps other people. It's how he was brought up. When Dad is elected to Federal Parliament, Ludo grabs the chance to make Australia an even better...
Rooftoppers
Rundell, Katherine
Ebook
Farmer boy
Wilder, Laura Ingalls
Paper Book
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. This edition features the classic black-and-white artwork from Garth Williams.  ...
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...
Paper planes
Worland, Steve
Paper Book
If at first you don't succeed, fly, fly again! Dylan is an imaginative twelve-year-old boy who discovers that his talent for folding and flying paper planes could take him to the World Paper Plane Championship. With a great challenge soaring ahead and a goal to fly into the number one spot,...
Sunflower
Laguna, Ingrid
Paper Book
Eleven-year-old Jamila is settling into her new life in Australia, along with Mama, Baba and baby Amir. Jamila and her new best friend, Eva, sing side by side in the choir at school, and have picnics together on the weekend. One day, Jamila gets some exciting news - her oldest friend from Iraq, Mina...
The battle of book week
Temple, Kate
Paper Book
Alice Toolie - seriously famous Youtootuber - and her best enemy Jimmy Cook are back to fight another day in a whole new chapter of adventures from the CBCA award-winning writers of the Captain Jimmy Cook Discovers series.
Kristy's big day
Martin, Ann M.
Paper Book
When her mother gets married, Kristy and the other members of the Baby-sitters Club have their hands full taking care of fourteen children at the wedding.
How to be the best
Barkla, Charlotte
Paper Book
I'm Edie and I'm obsessed with science. So I was sure that Annie B and I would win the Eco Fair competition. Then Dean Starlight arrived and started sabotaging our project. Now the competition has become an epic science battle of robotic spider attacks,...
What stars are made of
Allen, Sarah
Paper Book
A Mighty Girl Best Book of 2020! From debut author Sarah Allen comes a pitch-perfect, heartwarming middle grade novel about growing up, finding yourself, and loving people with everything you're made of. Twelve-year-old Libby Monroe is great at...
Respect : the Walter Tull story
Morgan, Michaela
Paper Book
The remarkable story of footballing star and war hero Walter Tull is brought to life in this brand-new edition of a Barrington Stoke bestseller. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+ Tully and his brother don't have much. But they do have each...
What Zola did on Monday
Marchetta, Melina
Paper Book
Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can't keep out of trouble! Seven stories in the series - one for every day of the week.
Everything I've never said
Wheeler, Samantha
Paper Book
Ava would like nothing more than to tell her family she loves them, particularly her big sister, Nic. But Ava has Rett syndrome - she can't talk, can't nod her head, can't even point at a communication card. She understands everything, but no one understands her. When tragedy strikes...
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 a place to belong. To climb a tree, always think in threes and you'll never fall. "Two feet,...
Our race for reconciliation
Heiss, Anita
Paper Book
Mel Gordon loves running, and watching Seinfeld, but mostly she loves Cathy Freeman. It's 2000 and the Olympics are going to be held in Australia. In a year of surprises, Mel finds out that Cathy Freeman is coming to talk to her school. And her family is heading to Sydney! It becomes an...
How to write the soundtrack to your life
Hardy, Fiona
Paper Book
Maybe he just likes you
Dee, Barbara
Paper Book
2019 The Washington Post Best Children's Book of the Year (Erin Entrada Kelly Pick) A 2020 ALA Notable Children's Book "The novel's all-too-familiar scenario offers a springboard for discussion among middle schoolers...Easily grasped scenarios...
The undoing of Arlo Knott
Child, Heather
Paper Book
'Brilliantly twisty, thought-provoking stuff - such enjoyable reading' Jenny Colgan 'A moving time-slip romance . . . The Undoing of Arlo Knott is a triumph' Guardian WHAT IF YOUR LIFE HAD AN 'UNDO' BUTTON? Arlo Knott develops the...
Girls, guys and choc-cherry pies
Badger, Meredith
Paper Book
Athletics star Leni is totally confused. She's trained with her friend Adam for ages, so why is he suddenly acting strangely around her? And what's she supposed to do about the kissing competition that her bestie's organized? There's no one Leni's even remotely into--and besides, she'd rather...
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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