Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Contemporary Realistic Fiction describes stories that are fiction but have realistic elements. This genre is highly popular with children, because it usually deals with issues that children can identify with: such as friendships, fears, peer pressure, rites of passages, coping with school, or growing up in tough situations.
Lost and Found
by Andrew Clements
This story relates the unique and sometimes distressing experience of growing up with an identical twin. Twin brothers Ray Jay and Jay Ray Grayson have moved to a new town and are entering the 6th grade. Growing up, they receive a lot of attention for looking alike and for being so cute. By the Sixth Grade both boys are tired of constantly being compared to the other. During homeroom on the first day of school Ray stays home sick. For some reason Mrs. Lane, the teacher, never calls out Ray’s name. Jay decides not to ask the teachers why his brother’s name isn’t being called, and enjoys being totally unconnected to his brother just for one day. Their files from their previous school have been stuck together, and the school hasn’t figured out there are two boys. The boys decide to take turns going to school as Jay Grayson, as if Ray Grayson didn’t exist. As the story unfolds, they encounter difficulty hiding their differences in academic ability, athletic ability, and choice of friends. Eventually they’re caught of course, but each boy has learned to enjoy having their own identity.
Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 5.0
Lexile: 690
Stephanie Karker
Deliver Us From Normal
by Kate Klise
Charles Harrisong is the second of five children growing up in Normal, Illinois. His parents are somewhat free-spirited and struggle to make ends meet. They are considered “poor” by the community’s standards. All of the Harrisong children are creative and full of life, but Charles is aware that his family is considered to be “different”, and he seems to be the only one who is bothered by what other people think. His sister Clara, the oldest in the family, has her heart set on becoming 7th Grade class president. Her heart is broken when Charles witnesses students destroying her campaign posters. Charles’ parents decide to leave town, and in three days they are packed and on their way to Fairhope, to purchase a houseboat and start a new life. The houseboat ends up needing a great deal of repair, and the family struggles to fix it up into livable, usable condition. Throughout the stress and strain, Charles slowly realizes that his family is happy just being themselves and being together, and that is what normal should be.
Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 4.1
Lexile: 690
Stephanie Karker
Fat Kid Rules the World
by Kelly L. Going
Troy Billings is fat. He weighs 296 pounds, and is standing at the edge of a subway platform, thinking about killing himself. Out of nowhere, he meets Curt MacCrae, a semi-homeless punk guitar genius who also happens to be a drop-out legend at Troy's school. For saving him, Curt tells Troy that he needs to buy him lunch, and Troy agrees. At lunch, Curt talks Troy into being the drummer for his new punk rock band, except Troy doesn't know how to play the drums! Not only that, but Troy's father thinks that Curt is drug addict! Not to mention, that Troy's brother thinks that Troy's a loser. This is the beginning for a wonderful friendship.
Suggested grade level: Young Adult
Reading level: 5.9
Lexile: 700
Reviewed by Arlette Leyva
Replay: a new book
by Sharon Creech
The book revolves around Leonardo, Leo, called "sardine" and "fog boy" by his family members and the events that occur with him and his family while he tries out and is part of a school play. Leo has an imagination and when things don't go the way he wants, or when he feels unloved or picked on, he imagines some great thing happening where he is winning awards or being asked to be on TV shows. His active imagination is one reason he has earned the name "fog boy" by his family, because at times he drifts into these fantasies. It's a very realistic story about the way families interact and what it is like to be a kid and an adult and how you can change when you grow up. Even though Leo is the central character you get to know the rest of his family and extended family and it ends up being quite an emotional story. At the end of the book the play that Leo is a part of is published as well. I recommend this book to anyone.
Suggested grade level: 3-6
Reading level: 4.4
Lexile: 850
Jessica Schmitz
My Most Excellent Year: a novel of love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park
by Steve Kluger
Tony C and Augie are brothers, but from different families. Tony C lost his mom when he was 6 years old and Augie was the one who got him through what he was dealing with. Since then and their respective families have become one big family. The premise of the story is an 11th grade writing assignment where they need to write rabout their most excellent year. Each of the main characters writes about their ninth grade year where they fall in love romantically (Tony C with a girl and Augie with a boy (finally realizing what everyone has known for years, that he is gay)) and also falling in love with a young six year old deaf orphan, a boy named Hucky, who is in love himself with Mary Poppins and believes she will one day come and save him. The story of this year is one of love and friendship and realizing how important family is. I was awed with the book and hope many students pick it up to read it.
Suggested grade level: YA (can see this being accessible to 8-12)
Reading level: 6.1
Lexile: 1030
Jessica Schmitz
Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog
by Pamela S. Turner; Illustrated by Yan Nascimbene
The story is based on the true story of a dog named Hachiko, who lived in Tokyo, through the eyes of a little boy named Kentaro. Every afternoon, Every afternoon, Hachiko would wait at the train station for Dr. Ueno. After the man dies in 1925, the animal returned to the station every day to wait for him, until his own death in 1935. A bronze statue was placed at Shibuya Station to honor this extraordinary canine, and a festival is held there every April. Years later, he is saddened by the news of the animal's death. I loved this story, and the soft water-colored illustrations bring the story to life. Hachiko's story is one of friendship, loyalty and dedication.
Suggested grade level: K-5
Reading level: 3.9
Reviewed by Arlette Leyva
Here is a picture of the real Hachiko, and a picture of the statue dedicated to his memory and loyalty.
