I Know Here
By Laurel Croza
Illustrated by Matt James
I Know Here is a book for anybody who has ever had to move away. The main character is a little girl who finds out she and her family will be moving to Toronto because her dad's job building the damn nearby is nearly done. She is saddened by the looming change and tries to grasp onto the place she knows, here, right now. "This is were I live. I don't know Toronto. I know here." As the story continues, the girl recounts all the things she loves and doesn't want to forget about where she lives. Finally, she finds a way to keep all her memories safe when she moves to Toronto. With the addition of the outstanding illustrations by Matt James, this story is sure to touch your heart. A must-read!
Suggested Grade Level: K-3
Reading Level: 2.3
Reviewed by Lorisa Harvey
Rules
by Cynthia Lord
While twelve year old Catherine loves and cares for her autistic younger brother David, she is embarrassed by his behavior. Because other kids may laugh at or ignore David, Catherine creates rules for him to live by. This may be especially important now that a new girl has moved in next door and Catherine desperately wants a close friend nearby. She also meets a boy, Jason, who gets around in a wheelchair and communicates only through picture cards. As their friendship strenghtens, Catherine struggles to be normal and accepting.
Interest level: 3-6
Reading level: 3.9
Reviewed by Lesley Hermann
Melvin and the Boy
By Lauren Castillo
Recommended: for ages 4-8
Every child seems to ask, "Can we get a dog?" In this case, a little boy eventually finds an acceptable pet in a turtle he runs into at the park. This is a story about making the right decision, and about how hard it can be do so when your heart wishes for something else. Castillo honors childhood, animals, relationships, and responsibility in this beautiful story.
Reviewed by Robin Hosemann
flickr.com
Realistic fiction is a term used to describe stories that could actually have happened. Contemporary realistic fiction means the book is set either “now” or in the recent past. Many children, young adults and adults enjoy contemporary realistic fiction for the believable plot and characters that readers can connect and relate to.
Click here to see a list of popular realistic fiction.
Wintergirls
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Lia has just found out her ex-best friend, Cassie has killed herself. But not even this can stop Lia from the damage she does to her body by cutting and her eating disorder. The 33 messages Cassie left on Lia's phone haunts her until she has nearly starved herself. Follow Lia, as she painfully tries to survive.
Interest level: Grades 8 and up
Reading level: Lexile 730
Reviewed by Lesley Hermann
Hoot
By Carl Hiaasen
Roy Eberhardt has recently moved from the mountains of Wyoming to a new town in Florida with his mom and dad. Nothing seems very interesting about this new town in Florida until Roy spots a mysterious "running boy" one day as he's riding the bus to school. Roy makes a decision to follow the running boy the next time he spots him. That decision leads Roy to an adventure that includes a controversial pancake house, a dopey bully, practical jokes, a grumpy foreman, a goofball cop and some protected burrowing owls. What does Roy get himself into?
Suggested Grade Level: 5-8
Reading Level 5.1
Reviewed by Lorisa Harvey
Smile
By Raina Telgemeier
Interest Level: 6-8
Reading Level: 4.3
In this autobiographical graphic novel, Raina just wants to fit in with the other girls in 6th grade, but her problems begin with a disfiguring fall that results in a traumatic injury to her front teeth. She must grapple with dental surgeries, retainers, and many other kinds of embarrassing events as a result of this accident, all the while just trying to deal with life as a middle schooler. This story is moving and at times, humorous, and readers will surely connect with Raina's emotions.
Reviewed by Robin Hosemann