Realistic Fiction (Middle Grade)

You won't find dragons, superheroes, or dystopian futures in the texts gathered in this study guide collection. What you will find are stories that reflect life authentically, in all its (varied, marvelous, and sometimes messed up) forms. The texts in this collection are ideal for middle-grade readers.

Awkward

by Svetlana Chmakova

Publication year 2015

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Art, Wins & Losses, Science & Technology, Teamwork, Education, Childhood & Youth, Regret

Tags Realistic Fiction, Science & Nature, Education, Children`s Literature, Bullying, Trauma & Abuse, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

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Ban This Book

by Alan Gratz

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Literature, Friendship, Community, Siblings, Childhood & Youth, Family, Education, Guilt, Fear, Trust & Doubt, Politics & Government, Perseverance, Conflict

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

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Because of Mr. Terupt

by Rob Buyea

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Forgiveness

Tags Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Because of Mr. Terupt (2010) is a middle-grade novel that takes place in Mr. Terupt’s fifth-grade class at Snow Hill School in Connecticut. The story is told from the perspectives of seven individual students in Mr. Terupt’s class. Mr. Terupt himself is a new teacher who attempts to teach lessons about personal responsibility, but his good intentions backfire when he falls victim to a tragic schoolyard accident that leaves him in a coma. The novel... Read Because of Mr. Terupt Summary

Because of Winn-Dixie

by Kate DiCamillo

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Grief

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Animals, Classic Fiction

Because of Winn-Dixie is a middle-grade novel by Kate DiCamillo published in 2000 by Candlewick Books. It follows main character Opal as she learns to love her new home in Naomi, Florida with the help of a stray dog named Winn-Dixie. Steeped in the traditions of Southern literature, the book won a Newbery Honor distinction and a Parents’ Choice Gold Award, among other awards. DiCamillo has been a beloved children's author since publication of Because of... Read Because of Winn-Dixie Summary

Better Nate Than Ever

by Tim Federle

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Music, Perseverance, Self Discovery

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, LGBTQ+, Music, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

Content Warning: Better Nate Than Ever contains sensitive material, such as bullying and LGBTQ-related slurs.Better Nate Than Ever (2013) is the first book in a trilogy about Broadway hopeful Nate Foster; the next two titles in the series are Five, Six, Seven, Nate! (2014) and Nate Expectations (2018). The novel is intended for middle grade and young adult readers but may also appeal to adult fans of theater-related fiction. Author Tim Federle and the fictional... Read Better Nate Than Ever Summary

Blended

by Sharon M. Draper

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Race, Coming of Age

Tags Magical Realism, Race & Racism, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Blended is a 2018 novel by veteran young adult fiction writer and lifelong educator Sharon M. Draper. In it, she invokes elements of magical realism and explores the impact of both racism and divorce on adolescents through the vehicle of a precocious and talented 11-year-old, Isabella Badia Thornton, who narrates the novel. Izzy struggles with her sense of identity; her father is Black, her mother white. That struggle deepens as she experiences first the impact... Read Blended Summary

Booked

by Kwame Alexander

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Family

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Sports, Modern Classic Fiction

Kwame Alexander’s Booked is a young adult novel in verse about the life of Nick Hall, an eighth-grader and soccer aficionado who struggles to meet his parents’ expectations and honor his own self-identity in the wake of his parents’ separation. The book is both a sports novel and a reflection on Nick’s experiences struggling with an injury and major changes in his home life. The book is geared toward 10- to 12-year-old readers and includes... Read Booked Summary

Born Behind Bars

by Padma Venkatraman

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Nation, Social Class, Politics & Government, Community, Friendship, Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Love, Hope

Tags Realistic Fiction, Social Justice, Poverty, Indian Literature, Social Class, Politics & Government, Incarceration, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

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Brian's Return

by Gary Paulsen

Publication year 1999

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Environment, Animals, Perseverance, Safety & Danger, Beauty, Trust & Doubt

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Science & Nature, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Classic Fiction

Brian's Return (1999) is a young adult fiction novel and the fourth book in author Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet series. Paulsen draws on his personal experiences from the wilderness to create Brian’s outdoor adventure and survival narrative throughout the series, stating in the author note, “Virtually all that happens to Brian in these books has happened to me at some point in my life” (112). Paulsen was awarded the Newberry Honor in 1988 for Hatchet, the first... Read Brian's Return Summary

Brian's Winter

by Gary Paulsen

Publication year 1996

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Beauty, Environment, Coming of Age

Tags Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Animals, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

Brian’s Winter (1996), a young adult novel by Gary Paulsen, is the third book in the Hatchet series of survival stories. Brian’s Winter chronologically follows Hatchet, acting as an alternate ending to Hatchet in which Brian is not rescued, and must continue to survive in the woods through the winter. Paulsen uses his own firsthand knowledge of winter survival skills to create a vivid and realistic portrayal of winter in the Canadian woods.Other works by... Read Brian's Winter Summary

Bud, Not Buddy

by Christopher Paul Curtis

Publication year 1999

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Childhood & Youth, Truth & Lies, Colonialism

Tags Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Race & Racism, Poverty, African American Literature, Education, Education, World History, Classic Fiction

Bud, Not Buddy is a 1999 children’s realistic historical novel by American author Christopher Paul Curtis. Ten-year-old protagonist Bud Caldwell is an orphan living in Flint, Michigan in 1936. Four years after the death of his mother and after a series of abusive and neglectful foster homes, Bud sets out to find his father, whom he believes is the locally famous jazz musician Herman E. Calloway of Grand Rapids. Bud encounters a host of characters... Read Bud, Not Buddy Summary

Bystander

by James Preller

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Fear, Hate & Anger, Fathers, Loneliness, Family

Tags Bullying, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

Bystander (2011) is a teen/young adult novel by James Preller that explores middle school bullying and the factors that enable it. Griffin Connelly, a two-faced bully, uses his charisma and good looks to keep members of his school clique in line as he perpetrates acts of cruelty against weaker classmates. No one stands up to Griffin until Eric Hayes, a newcomer, disrupts the status quo—questioning Griffin’s bullying and the silent complicity of the other students.The... Read Bystander Summary

Call it Courage

by Armstrong Sperry

Publication year 1940

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Coming of Age, Community

Tags Classic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Coming of Age, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Education, Animals, Relationships, Religion & Spirituality, American Literature, Children`s Literature, Education, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction

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Chasing Vermeer

by Blue Balliett

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, Arts & Culture

Chasing Vermeer is the debut novel of children’s author Blue Balliett. First published in 2004, the book is a children’s art mystery novel. The novel won several awards, including the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Novel, the Agatha Award for Best YA Novel, and the Chicago Tribune Prize for Young Adult Fiction. An interactive experience, the novel uses maps, pentominoes (or Tetris-like puzzles), and coded graphics by illustrator Brett Helquist to hide secret messages.The novel’s... Read Chasing Vermeer Summary

City Spies

by James Ponti

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Gratitude, Joy, Loneliness, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Death, Justice, Art, Good & Evil, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Science & Technology, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Teamwork, Family, Climate, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Self Discovery, Community, Wins & Losses, Friendship, Place, Order & Chaos

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction

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Class Act

by Jerry Craft

Publication year 2020

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Education, Race, Self Discovery, Social Class, Equality, Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Arts & Culture, Social Class, Diversity, Education, Race & Racism, African American Literature, Children`s Literature, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

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Clean Getaway

by Nic Stone

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Conflict, Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Hate & Anger, Fear, Grief, Guilt, Love, Shame & Pride, Race, Aging, Death, Grandparents, Childhood & Youth, The Past, Fathers, Equality, Politics & Government, Justice, Safety & Danger

Tags African American Literature, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Civil Rights & Jim Crow South, US History, Black Lives Matter, Grief & Death, Modern Classic Fiction

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