Illustrator- Amy Bates
Publisher: Dial
2007
RL- 2.9
This story touches on many different themes of realism which include coping with problems of the human condition and becoming one's own person. Marcus's mother is dealing with cancer and chemotherapy and does not want to be in the family photo. Marcus wants to give his hair to his mother. It is a touching story of love and family.
*Junie B., first grader : Aloha-ha-ha! by Park, Barbara
ISBN: 0375934030
Illustrator- Denise Brunkus
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
2006
RL- 2.6
The theme of this story is becoming one's own person including problems with her family and learning about herself. This delightful story of humorous Junie B. Jones journals the adventures and misadventures of her and her family in Hawaii.
*Amelia Bedelia and Rocket Scientist? by Parish, Herman
ISBN: 0060518898
Illustrator- Lynn Sweat
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
2005
RL- 2.8
Amelia Bedelia is asked to help out at a Science Fair. Because of her funny antics and her literal sense, their are some bloopers taking place. However, in the end, the famous scientist is able to make a new discovery thanks to Amelia Bedelia.
*Henry and Mudge and the Big Sleepover by Rylant, Cynthia
ISBN: 0689811713
Illustrator- Suçie Stevenson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
2006
RL- 2.2
The realistic theme in this story is becoming one's own person. Henry and Mudge were invited to a friend's house for a sleepover. It is a houseful of friends, dogs, food, and fun.
Ready, Freddy and the Science Fair Flop by Klein, Abby
Ready, Freddy Apple Orchard Race by Klein, Abby
ISBN: 054513045X
Publisher: Scholastic
2010
RL- 2.9
Abby Klein brings to life another story involving Freddy and his classmates. Freddy is always dealing with the class bully Max. In this book, the class is on a field trip to the apple orchard. Will Max cheat to get the hidden apple?
Contemporary Realistic Fiction- 3-5
*Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Williams, Mary
ISBN: 1584302321
Illustrator- R. Gregory Christie
Publisher: Lee & Low Books
2005
RL- 4.3
This realistic fiction story incorporates the themes of living in a diverse world and becoming one's own person. This story is about the war stricken country of Sudan. A young boy is displaced from his family like thousands of young boys. The boys were able to make a journey to Ethiopia and then to Kenya to refugee camps. The main character Garang Deng survived and was brought to the United States.
*A Long Walk to Water by Park, Linda Sue
ISBN: 0547251270
Publisher: Clarion Books
2010
RL- 5.9
This story incorporates the themes of becoming one's own person and living in a diverse world. This is an inspirational story of courage and compassion. A young boy named Salva living in a war ravaged Sudan was displaced from his family. He went to live in refugee camps in Ethiopia, and two in Kenya before he was chosen to go to America. He decided to change his life and help the people of Sudan.
*Dad, Jackie, and Me by Uhlberg, Myron
ISBN: 1561453293
Illustrator- Colin Bootman
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
2005
RL- 3.8
The theme surrounding this book is coping with problems of the human condition. This is a touching story of a boy and his deaf dad. The two are able to bond through baseball and Jackie Robinson.
*Cam Jansen and the Green School Mystery by Adler, David A.
ISBN: 0142414565
Illustrator- Joy Allen
Publisher: Puffin
2008
RL- 3.4
The theme for this story is becoming one's own person. Cam's school is learning about ways to save the environment. They are collecting cans and bottles to recycle to earn money for the school. That morning, the rolls of dimes are stolen, over $900. Cam and her photographic memory are asked to help solve the mystery. Who took the money?
Feathers by Woodson, Jacqueline
ISBN: 0399239898
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
2007
RL- 4.4
The theme of hope from Emily Dickenson's poem, "Hope is the thing with feathers." Frannies has many big questions about life that are dealt with in this story such as faith, class, prejudice, and family.
Lucy Rose- Big on Plans by 038573204X
Publisher: Yearling
2005
RL- 4.9
The theme surrounding this book is becoming one's own self. Lucy keeps a diary of her life in the summer of her third and fourth grade year. Through her fun summer adventures, the underlying problem is her parent's divorce.
*Night of the Howling Dogs by Salisbury, Graham
ISBN: 0385731221
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
2007
RL- 3.5
The theme in this story is becoming one's own person. This is a story of survival when a Boy Scout troop is camping in Hawaii and an earthquake and tsunami hit. The main character Dylan, and a tough boy that he doesn't get along with have to work together and deal with their differences to so that everyone from the troop survives.
Contemporary Realistic Fiction- 6-9
*Chicken Boy by Dowell, Frances O'Roark
ISBN: 0689858167
Publisher: Atheneum
2005
RL- 6.8
This story deals with the theme of becoming one's own person. Tobin is learning how to deal with the problem's of his family that were brought upon by his mother's death. Tobin learns the importance of friendship and taking care of chickens.
Shakespeare's Secret by Broach, Elise
ISBN: 0805073876
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
2005
RL- 6.1
The theme in this story is becoming one's own self. The main character Hero is dealing with moving to a new town and the cruelty of her classmates. She learns from her eccentric neighbor that the "Murphy Diamond" might be hidden in her house. With the help of a classmate and her neighbor, they set out to find the diamond.
*I Am Not Joey Pigza by Gantos, Jack
ISBN: 0374399417
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
2007
RL- 6.9
The overall theme in this story is becoming one's self as Joey deals with family issues. Joey's father return's and his mother and father are back together. Then imagine being asked to change your name and identity? Well that is what happened to Joey Pigza- now FreddyHeinz. Joey deals with the past he has with his dad while trying to accept him. However, his father ends up not changing and goes back to his usual ways. Abandoned again by his father, Joey is determined to be a good big brother to his new baby brother.
The Secret Blog of Raisin Rodriguez by Goldschmidt, Judy
ISBN: 1595140719
Publisher: Razorbill
2005
RL- 6.8
The theme in this book is becoming one's own person while dealing with family issues and maturing. Raisin has moved to Philadelphia with her mother and new stepfather. She writes a blog to her friends back at Berkley telling about her new life and the issues that she is dealing with. Her problems escalate when her blog is printed off at her new school.