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
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Stink : the incredible shrinking kid
McDonald, Megan.
Paper Book
In honor of Judy Moody's younger "bother," the creators of the award-winning series have put themselves in a very Stink-y mood — proving, once and for all, that you're only as short as you feel. Shrink, shrank, shrunk! Every morning, Judy Moody measures Stink...

Bridging Fiction (Grades 2-4)

The used-to-be best friend
Quigley, Dawn
Paper Book
American Indian Youth Literature Award: Middle Grade Honor Book! Hello/Boozhoo--meet Jo Jo Makoons! Full of pride, joy, and plenty of humor, this first book in an all-new chapter book series by Dawn Quigley celebrates a spunky young Ojibwe girl who loves who she is. Jo Jo...

Bridging Fiction (Grades 2-4)

Ivy + Bean
Barrows, Annie.
Paper Book
The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends. But when Bean plays a joke on her sister, Nancy, and has to hide quickIvy comes to the rescue, proving that sometimes the best of friends are people never meant to like each other. Vibrant characters and lots of humor make...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Dory Fantasmagory
Hanlon, Abby
Paper Book
Move over, Junie B. Jones and Ivy & Bean! Here comes a lovably energetic little sister with a BIG personality--and an imagination to match! As the youngest in her family, Dory really wants attention, and more than anything she wants her brother and sister to play with her. But...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Gabby gets it together
Fairbairn, Nathan
Paper Book
Are you a fan of Raina Telgemeier or Shannon Hale? Then don't miss PAWS, a new graphic novel series about best friends, cute dogs, and all the fun (and trouble) that comes with them. Perfect for fans of Real Friends, Roller Girl, and Allergic, this funny and heartwarming...

Children's Graphic Novel (Grades 3-5)

The new girl
Calin, Cassandra
Paper Book
Instagram sensation and Tapas webcomic superstar Cassandra Calin makes her long-form debut with this funny, feel-good middle-grade graphic novel about change. Goodbye, old life... Lia and her family are waiting to board a flight across the Atlantic, leaving behind family,...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

Paula Danziger's Amber Brown is not a crayon
Ying, Victoria
Paper Book
Even when her best friend is moving away, Amber Brown is always bold, bright, and colorful. And now she's in a graphic novel! Third graders Amber Brown and Justin Daniels have been best friends since the day they first met in preschool. How great of a team are they? Amber helps...

Children's Graphic Novel (Grades 3-5)

Truly Tyler
Libenson, Terri
Paper Book
A story about being your truest self--and trusting your truest friends--from bestselling author Terri Libenson. Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale. Cliques. Crushes. Comics. Middle school! Emmie is psyched that she gets to work on a comics project with her crush,...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Barely floating
Rivera, Lilliam
Paper Book
A dazzling story full of heart about how one twelve-year-old channels her rage into synchronized swimming dreams, from the author of The Education of Margot Sanchez and Never Look Back, Lilliam Rivera. Natalia de la Cruz Rivera y Santiago, also known as Nat, was...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

The labors of Hercules Beal
Schmidt, Gary D.
Paper Book
From award-winning author Gary D. Schmidt, a warm and witty novel in the tradition of The Wednesday Wars, in which a seventh grader has to figure out how to fulfill a seemingly impossible school assignment--and learns about friendship, community, and himself along the way....

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Two tribes
Bowen Cohen, Emily
Paper Book
In her poignant debut graphic novel inspired by her own life, Emily Bowen Cohen embraces the complexity, meaning, and deep love that comes from being part of two vibrant tribes. Mia is still getting used to living with her mom and stepfather, and to the new role their Jewish...

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)


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