Children's Book Suggestions | Realistic Fiction

Not interested in dragons, aliens, or ghosts? These realistic fiction stories for readers in Grades 3-7 feature no supernatural elements--just kids like you dealing with the everyday challenges of school, friendship, and family in their everyday lives.

Updated August 30, 2024
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Oregon City Public Library
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Best friend!
Fang, Vicky
Paper Book
Brand-new first grader Ava Lin is determined to find a best friend--even if she's a bit unclear on how to go about it--in this launch of a funny, super relatable chapter-book series. Ava Lin is six and a half years old, and she loves bubble tea, finding treasures, and animals...

Bridging Fiction (Grades 2-4)

Ivy + Bean
Barrows, Annie.
Paper Book
A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold The original book in the bestselling series, Ivy and Bean: Book 1 introduces Ivy and Bean, two spunky friends who...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Ellen outside the lines
Sass, A. J.
Paper Book
Thirteen-year-old Ellen Katz feels most comfortable when her life is well planned out and people fit neatly into her predefined categories. She attends temple with Abba and Mom every Friday and Saturday. Ellen only gets crushes on girls, never boys, and she knows she can always rely on her best...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Summer at Squee
Wang, Andrea
Paper Book
From Newbery Honor-winning author Andrea Wang, a new middle grade novel about a Chinese American tween who attends a Boston-based Chinese cultural overnight camp-and the many ways it transforms her. Phoenny Fang plans to have the best summer ever. She's returning to Summertime...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The new girl
Calin, Cassandra
Paper Book

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

Keep it together, Keiko Carter
Florence, Debbi Michiko
Paper Book
  Fans of Judy Blume and Jenny Han are sure to fall head-over-heels for this sweet story about first crushes, friendship drama, and finding the courage to stand up for yourself. Seventh grade is supposed to be a game changer. And Keiko thinksshe's got it covered, especially...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Walkin' the dog
Lynch, Chris
Paper Book
"Lynch is back and better, smarter, and funnier than ever." --Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award Winner A boy learns how to be a friend from man's best friend in this "funny, fetching" (Booklist, starred review) middle grade novel about humans being able to change...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Squished
Lloyd, Megan Wagner
Paper Book
From the Eisner-nominated duo behind the instant bestseller Allergic comes a fun graphic novel about finding your own space... especially when you're in a family of nine! Eleven-year-old Avery Lee loves living in Hickory Valley, Maryland. She loves her neighborhood, school, and the...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

Click
Miller, Kayla
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Kayla Miller comes a graphic novel about friendship and finding where you "click" in middle school, perfect for fans of Smile and Real Friends. Olive wants to get in on the act . . . . . . Any act! Olive "clicks"...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

Picture day
Sax, Sarah
Paper Book
Everyone knows the most stressful day of middle school is picture day! And that's exactly where this yearbook-worthy graphic novel series opener begins: with reinventing yourself, drama, popularity, and the friends who see you through. Seventh-grader Viv never looks...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)


Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.