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)

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)

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)

Grounded
Saeed, Aisha
Paper Book
Four kids meet at an airport for one unforgettable night in this middle-grade novel by four bestselling and award-winning authors--Aisha Saeed, Huda Al-Marashi, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, and S. K. Ali When a thunderstorm grounds all flights following a huge Muslim convention,...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Ways to make sunshine
Watson, Reně.
Paper Book
From Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson, the first book in a young middle grade series about Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit, kindness, and sunshine. Ryan Hart can be and do anything. Her name means "king", that she is a leader, and she...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Paws. 1, 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)

Eb & Flow
Baptist, Kelly J.
Paper Book
A ten-day suspension has tweens De'Kari and Ebony seeing the world with a fresh perspective. Don't miss this poignant novel in verse from the award-winning author of Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero. Two kids. One fight. No one thinks they're wrong.   ...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

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)

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 : (a Graphic Novel)
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)


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