Category: Realistic Fiction

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

2/27/2020

Aven has a great personality that will make you laugh. Dusti Bowling does a great job of show how it is to be a middle schooler. Don't forget Aven is disabled, so that puts a lot on her shoulders.

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
Grades: 5th & 6th
Tags: adventure, contemporary/realistic, friendship, mystery
Reviewed by: Kate B.

Skyjacked

11/4/2019

Six high schoolers are trapped on a private jet that is going drastically off course. Soon it is made clear that the plane has been hijacked. But by who? Suspicion throws the teens into a high intensity situation that no one is safe from. Will they be able to stop the plane and find out the hijacker before they go down?

Skyjacked is perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying. It is just as fast-paced and entertaining, yet remains unique from Karen McMannus’ book because of the interesting setting. Murder mystery romance lovers alike will find this book as a new favorite.

Skyjacked by Paul Griffin
Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th
Tags: Adventure, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Fast-Paced, Mystery, Romance
Reviewed by: Charlotte D.

Hope and Other Punchlines

11/4/2019

Almost every patriotic American has seen Baby Hope, Abbi’s alter ego. As the South Tower of the World Trade Center falls on 9/11, Baby Hope celebrates her first birthday with a crown and a balloon. For the rest of the country, Abbi’s picture brings them together, but for Abbi it gives unwanted attention. This summer, as Abbi continues her search for anonymity, she signs up as a camp counselor in another town. Unfortunately, she encounters Noah Stern, who ropes her into a search behind the Baby Hope photo. As Abbi’s perfect summer takes a tumultuous turn, she must face her past and discovers that there is more to the photo than anyone expected.

Hope and Other Punchlines explores the aftermath of a tragic incident in American history, helping young readers to understand the magnitude of the attacks.

Hope and Other Punchlines by Julie Buxbaum
Grades: 7th, 8th
Tags: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Reviewed by: Dylan D.

Internment

11/4/2019

America has decided to renew its World War II era strategy of putting people into internment camps, but this time, it is Muslim Americans, including Layla and her family. The people inside the internment camp are treated so badly that even the Muslim-hating public isn’t told. Layla and her friends decide to change this.

Internment is a dystopian novel perfect for fans of World War II novels. It discusses and opens readers’ eyes to issues that are prevalent in our society today, even if they aren’t as extreme.

Internment by Samira Ahmed
Grades: 7th, 8th
Tags: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Dystopian
Reviewed by: Charlotte D.

Symptoms of a Heartbreak

11/4/2019

At 16, Saira is America’s youngest doctor. She has just started a new internship at the hospital her mom works at. While she may be a good doctor, Saira soon find out that there is more to being a young doctor then she had previously thought. She must learn to balance being a teenager with being a doctor, especially when she falls in love with a patient.

Symptoms of a Heartbreak is for readers who love John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. This novel encompasses similar themes of love and loss but with a fast-paced twist that comes with being in a high-pressure situation.

Symptoms of a Heartbreak
Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th
Tags: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Fast-Paced, Romance
Reviewed by: Charlotte D.

American Royals

11/4/2019

After America won the Revolutionary War, George Washington was offered a chance to be king. He accepted, of course. American Royals follows the perspectives of the heir to the throne, her forgotten, rule-stretching younger sister, the best friend who chooses to shy away from the spotlight, and the prince’s socialite ex-girlfriend. For fans of the Royals series, avid followers of the British monarchy, or anyone looking for a light, fun read, American Royals is hard to put down.

Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th
Tags: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Reviewed by: Dylan D.

Gut Check

11/4/2019

The town of Greyport is known for two things: fishing and football. Wyatt’s life has revolved around both of those things since before he can remember. When red tide comes and fishing season crashes, so does Wyatt’s life. When the chance to try out for a coveted spot on the Greyport High football team comes up, Wyatt spends his waking hours trying to get it.

Gut Check brings new perspective to the booming, but as he proves, life-changing, business of sports. Eric Kester’s brand new book is a novel that any sports fan and athlete can relate to because it shows the grueling behind-the-scenes work that comes with playing a sport. For Wyatt, nothing comes easily.

Gut Check by Eric Kester
Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th
Tags: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Reviewed by: Charlotte D.

On the Come Up

11/4/2019

Bri has wanted to be a rapper ever since she could talk. For her, rapping carries more than just the outer shell of the words. Rapping is a way for Bri to connect with her dead rap-legend father and release the emotions that come with the hardships she is going through. When she gets a chance to rap in front of a crowd, things finally start to look up. But the more Bri raps, the more she has to rely on rapping; not just for herself, but also for her family and community. Everyone, it seems, is reliant on her come up.

Angie Thomas, the renowned author of The Hate You Give, is back with her brand new novel, On the Come Up. Readers who loved Thomas’ first novel will love her new one, which carries references to The Hate You Give woven into the story. Bri’s message is not only communicated through prose, but also through pieces of her rapping dispersed throughout the book. Thomas has definitely not lost her touch.

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Grades: 7th, 8th
Tags: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Reviewed by: Charlotte D.

When We Collided

10/9/2019

Jonah is a seventeen year old boy who has lived in Verona Cove his whole life. His whole family fell apart when he tragically lost his beloved father to a heart attack. Now, his mother barely gets out of bed, and he is left to take care of his younger siblings. Vivi just pranced into Verona Cove and is immediately in love. It seems like a perfect, beautiful, summer escape from a harsh past. Each character tries to hide away from old wounds, and falling in love seems like a perfect way to do it. When these two teenagers find each other, their summer takes a whole new route.
Emory Lord artfully touches upon the sensitive subjects of mental illness while gracefully weaving in teenage romance, and you will be transported into Vivi and Jonah's world. This powerful book will move you to tears and laughter, and leave you with a compelling message.

When We Collided by Emery Lord
Grades: 7th, 8th
Tags: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Romance
Reviewed by: Skye S.

Gracefully Grayson

5/27/2016

12-year-old Grayson is stuck in a male body. He knows that he is destined to be a girl, but what is he supposed to do? Feeling like this in middle school is not always easy for him. He eats lunch alone in the library, is often partners with the teacher, and sits alone on the bus. He does this every day until he meets a new girl. She is nice. Of course he keeps his desire to be female a secret from her (and everyone else) but they have fun together. He goes to thrift stores with her and secretly tries on dresses, and he finally eats in the lunchroom because of her.
Even with a new friend, Grayson still has a problem. He can only use his imagination to be wearing in front of the mirror. He is a guy, and he doesn’t feel like he can change that. Until the school play. He decides to audition, but not for a male character. Read Gracefully Grayson to see what happens!

-Poppy L