Here in the Real World

Here in the Real World is a middle-grade realistic fiction novel written by Sarah Pennypacker and originally published in 2020. Pennypacker’s major works include Pax and the Clementine series, which each won multiple awards. Here in the Real World centers around 11-year-old Ware as he approaches adolescence and demands more freedom and autonomy in his life, while learning that Seeing the World Clearly has more than one meaning. Ware’s journey is a philosophical undertaking, involving Finding One’s Purpose and discovering the process of Renewal and Rebirth.

This guide utilizes the 2020 HarperCollins edition of the novel.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of substance use and physical abuse.

Plot Summary

Eleven-year-old Ware is excited to spend the summer exploring on his own at his grandma’s retirement home, but his plans change when his grandmother falls and is hospitalized. His parents decide he will have to spend the summer at the local rec center, which Ware despises because of its smell, chaos, and the expectation that children socialize. Ware prefers to observe and be on his own, and hopes to build a castle in his backyard. He wishes expectations were clear and simple, like they were in medieval times.

On his first day at the rec center, Ware stays on the outside of things and avoids the daily trek around the building by hiding in a tree. From there, he discovers the remnants of a demolished church, which he relates to a ruined castle. While exploring the wreckage, he meets Jolene, a girl his age who’s planting a garden in the playground nearby. She claims the space and warns him to leave, but eventually allows Ware to "own" the church side, as long as he stays out of her garden. Within the church ruins, Ware comes across a baptismal basin and wonders if he too could be reborn as someone new. Jolene agrees to help him fill the tub. At home, Ware hears his parents wishing he were more “normal,” which hurts him deeply.

Ware continues spending his days at the ruins, watching Jolene garden. While exploring, Ware starts clearing out rubble and discovers remnants of the church's past, including a broken stained-glass window, old photos, and a folder asking, “Are you living a purpose-driven life?” This question makes him consider his own purpose in life. At home, Ware wants to tell his parents about spending his day at the ruins but feels guilty for not doing what they ask. When his grandma needs surgery, his mom leaves to care for her, giving Ware a strict schedule. His dad gives him a watch, hoping it helps, but there is a clear divide between them.

Back at the lot, Jolene and Ware make an agreement to dissolve the boundaries between their spaces. Their work is interrupted by a teenage girl, Ashley, taking pictures of the lot. She explains the lot will be auctioned and that unlit pavement could injure migrating cranes as they fly over. Jolene is desperate to keep her claim to the lot and tries to defend it by promising to get rid of the pavement.

Jolene admits to Ware that she is counting on selling papayas from the garden. This makes Ware determined to help save the lot and gives him the sense of purpose he wanted. He notices the pavement forms a moat-like shape and suggests building a real moat to catch water and protect the birds. Jolene gets a sledgehammer from the local market owner, Mrs. Stavros, and together they begin constructing a wall out of broken cement. Ware tells Jolene about his grandma’s fall, and Jolene reminds Ware that bad things happen in the real world. Ware starts to feel even more guilty over not protecting his grandma and wants to be reborn as someone who can.

Ware continues working with Jolene at the church ruins, even as doubts creep in about whether he can ever really be a knight or hero. When Ashley shows up again, Ware stands up to her, demanding she stop the auction. Later, he sneaks over to the market and spots Jolene laughing and eating with Mrs. Stavros, surprised to see Jolene's lighter side. Ware is surprised one day when Uncle Cy picks him up and Ware confesses to his feelings of being an outsider and even shows Uncle Cy the church ruins. Instead of being angry, Uncle Cy is impressed by Ware's artistic vision and sees Ware as an artist like himself. He lends Ware a film camera to capture his work and promises to keep his secret.

With the camera, Ware captures the beauty in the ruins and in Jolene’s garden. They make the church walls look more like a castle using dust and glue, then plan to keep the moat clean with filtering plants from a detention pond at the nearby school. When a thunderstorm arrives, Ware and Jolene huddle under a table with candles. While there, Ware admits his parents wish he were a different person, and Jolene reveals her aunt doesn’t want her at all.

Jolene has an interest in body parts discarded after surgeries and asks to visit Ware's grandma. At the rehabilitation center, Ware is relieved to see his grandma doing well and to hear that she doesn't blame him for the fall. Ware's grandma meets and likes Jolene but is concerned by her family background. She encourages Ware to bring Jolene again, questioning why Ware knows so little about her.

Ware insists on getting permission from the bar owner, Walter, to fill the moat. Walter grants permission, and listens to Ware confess his problems, which makes Ware feel older. When Jolene destroys her male plants because they don't produce fruit, Ware finds it unfair, but she reminds him that life isn’t always fair and that he needs to start expecting bad things to happen. Ware takes this to heart and decides to become a realist.

It takes three days to fill the moat. When it’s done, Ware films the results and admires his work with Jolene. As they talk, Ware realizes that Jolene's aunt drinks, abuses her, and often fails to pay rent, which is why Jolene wants to sell papayas. After she leaves, Ware attempts to renew himself by diving into the moat, but all he feels is sadness for Jolene.

One day, Ashley arrives with news that her dad can’t stop the auction. Ware panics and considers saving the lot by using the video camera Uncle Cy gave him to make people understand its beauty. After being filled with water and surrounded by plants, the lot comes alive with birds and animals. Ashley visits regularly, helping to make the place a sanctuary for the birds, but Jolene doubts her intentions because she comes from a wealthy background.

Uncle Cy sees Ware's footage and asserts that Ware is an artist. Ware then edits the footage into a four-minute film showing the lot’s transformation and beauty. On a visit to the rehabilitation center, Ware defends his optimism to Jolene, asserting that she wants to make the world a better place, too. At the rehabilitation center, Ware finds out that his grandma has diabetes. He later confronts his mom for keeping this information secret and asks her to stop overprotecting him, as well as help him learn to solve problems, which leads to a new understanding between them.

As summer comes to an end, Ware and Jolene continue bonding over their shared time at the lot, swimming in the moat and creating coats of arms representing who they are. Ware learns more about Jolene's past and how her mother abandoned her, and begins to understand her guarded disposition. He reflects on his own growth, both physical and emotional, realizing he wants to accept himself rather than become someone else. Ware promises to protect Jolene like a true friend.

When the auction notice is posted with an official date, Jolene becomes distraught and starts destroying her garden. Ware sends his film to Ashley, hoping it will make a difference. Ultimately, the lot is purchased to be turned into a strip mall. Hearing this, Jolene loses hope, but Ware has one more idea.

Ware’s parents celebrate buying a house, but Ware can only think about Jolene. He asks his parents for the backyard and with Ashley's help, he moves Jolene’s plants there. Ware also starts a film club at the community center, embracing his newfound identity as an artist. He finally shows Jolene her new garden space, calling it “The Real World,” symbolizing their resolve to make the world better. Ware's mother learns the truth about where he spent his summer but, after watching his film, feels nothing but pride in him.

Jolene begins visiting Ware's house regularly and grows closer to Ware’s family as they all tend the papayas together. At the same time, Wink, the tortoise, turns out to be endangered, meaning the lot won't be converted for a couple of months. Two months later, Ashley announces the cranes are flying over. Ware brings the news to Jolene and apologizes to her regarding her aunt. That night, everyone gathers to watch the cranes fly overhead. Ware films the moment, feeling fulfilled and as though he is right where he should be, and he finally takes Jolene’s hand in his.