The 32 Best Realistic Fiction Books for Kids
Last year, my son came home from school with an assignment — to read a realistic fiction book. He looked up at me and asked “Mommy, what even is a realist fiction book?”
I had no idea.
Thank goodness for Google, which quickly assured me that realistic fiction is a term used for middle grade and early-reader books with plots that could actually happen. No dragons, no kid spies or child detectives, just good old-fashioned, learn-a-lesson fiction.
And imagine my surprise when I realized that some of our favorite books ever are realistic fiction!
So whether your kid also came home in a panic or these novels are just the kind they gravitate toward, we hope this list of realistic fiction stories helps you.
*the best realistic fiction books Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
This post fulfills a prompt for the 2024 reading challenge! It’s not too late to join!
The Best Middle Grade Realistic Fiction
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
Author: Karina Yan Glaser
Year: 2018
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 7 – 12
More info: Vanderbeekers #1
Plot
This charming story is about a bi-racial family in Harlem with 5 kids who are about to lose their home before Christmas. Why? Because their reclusive landlord won’t renew their lease.
My entire family enjoyed this delightful tale of the siblings trying to win their landlord over so they don’t have to leave home. It was full of all the antics you would expect of a big family.
Why Kirsten loves it
I can’t begin to tell you how connected my family has grown to the Vanderbeekers over the course of the series. They are sweet, funny, good-natured, mischievous children – each with a personality all their own. Their antics make for incredible stories, but the heart and love at the center of the family keep me reaching for these books. This is hands down one of my favorite series for middle grade readers and the one I recommend the most often.
Why Jackie loves it
I love that the Vanderbeekers’ story normalizes city living and a bi-racial family – something that’s hard to find in many children’s book series. You will fall in love with this cast of characters and as the series progresses you’ll come to regard them as family.
Find this book in: Best Books for a 10-Year-Old / Best Family Audiobooks For Road Trips / Read Aloud Books / Realistic Fiction Books / Christmas Chapter Books
Wonder
Author: R.J. Palacio
Year: 2012
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 9 – 12
More info: Wonder #1, New York Times Bestseller
Plot
August Pullman is a boy with an extraordinary facial difference. He has been homeschooled his entire life and is starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep. This book for 11-year-olds is amazing and has a lesson about love and acceptance that everyone needs to read.
Trigger Warnings
Bullying
Why Jackie loves it
This is a must-read story for middle schoolers. It is an amazing book about embracing differences, kindness, and being yourself. However, it would also be a wonderful read-aloud book for a younger audience.
Find this book in: Realistic Fiction Books / Best Books for 11-year-olds / Middle Grade Books for Tweens / Books that Will Make You Cry / Chapter Books to Read Aloud / Family Audiobooks / School Books
Plot
This coming-of-age story is about a deaf girl who is struggling to connect with her community and a whale named Blue 52 who can’t find his ocean community either. She sets out to connect with Blue 52 and along the way she finds her inner strength beautifully.
Why Kirsten loves it
This was one of the realistic fiction audiobooks for tweens I listened to with my kids and we all just adored it. I had tears streaming down my face at the end.
Find this book in: Books for 10-year-olds / Audiobooks for Kids / Realistic Fiction / Animal Books for Kids / Best Books for 10-year-olds
Plot
When Alice’s Aunt Polly dies, she takes her world-famous, secret pie crust recipe with her. In her will, she leaves the pie receipt to her cat, Lardo.
Who does she leave the cat to? Alice. Now, Alice and her friend have to find the recipe for happiness together in this endearing and funny book.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a realistic fiction book that every one of my children has read and loved. It’s an endearing story that has become quite the classic.
Find this book in: Realistic Fiction for Kids / Best Books for 12-year-olds
Award Winning Realistic Fiction
Front Desk
Author: Kelly Yang
Year: 2019
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 9 – 11
More info: Front Desk #1, Winner of the Asian / Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature
Plot
This recently banned book tells the story of Mia and her family who are immigrants from China. Mia’s struggles to be successful in America are met with the divide between classes in her school, the racism she faces, and her family’s quest to make ends meet.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved learning from Mia and watching her problem-solve to help her family as they took over caring for the Calivista Motel. If you are looking for realistic fiction middle-grade books that skew a little younger, check out this realistic fiction book.
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books / Books for 10-year-olds / Audiobooks for Kids / Hotel Novels / Books about Poverty and It’s Impact
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
An imperfect family, the Penderwick family (consisting of the father, 4 daughters, and their dog) go spend their three-week summer vacation at a cottage they rented. Mrs. Tifton, a grumpy, snooty woman, and her son Jeffry own the cottage that is part of the Arundel estate.
The first in a realistic fiction series of 5 books about sisters, this wonderful book is perfect to read aloud at night or listen to on audio for a family roadtrip.
Hello, Universe
Author: Erin Entrada Kelly
Year: 2017
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 9 – 11
More info: Newbery Medal Winner
Plot
In this Newberry Medal Winner, four children tell the story of one out-of-the-ordinary day. When Chet pulls a prank that leaves Virgil in a well, Kaori, Gen, and Valencia go on an epic search to find their missing classmate. They don’t start the day as friends, but they grow close throughout the story.
Why Kirsten loves it
This realistic fiction book for a 13-year-old was a Newberry Award winner for a reason. It gave the mom in me a bit of an anxiety attack when one of the characters fell down the well, but all’s well that ends well.
This tween book is a read that I’d recommend for all ages. In particular, I liked how it addressed bullying, being different, and overcoming shyness.
Find this book in: Realistic Fiction Books / Best Books for 11-year-olds / Middle Grade Books
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
Author: Jason Reynolds
Year: 2019
Genre: Middle-Grade Short Story
More info: A National Book Award Finalist
Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
Age Range: 10+
Plot
I thought this middle-grade novel was a wonderful look at the problems facing young people. Each chapter is a different narrator telling a different story about their walk home from school addressing issues like crushes, bullying, sick parents, and more.
Each tale gives you a glimpse into the minds of the children in the neighborhood – the funny, the sad, and everything in between.
Why Kirsten loves it
I finished this story in one sitting and immediately told Jackie to give it to her son. I can’t wait to give this to my boys one day.
Find this book in: Best School Books / Realistic Fiction Books / Short Stories / Best Books for 10-year-olds
Early Reader Realistic Fiction
Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire by Susan Tan
My brother’s girlfriend recommended it to me because her friend wrote it! It did a great job of handling difficult topics in an age-appropriate manner with humor and grace.
Cilla is about to become a big sister, but she wants to become a world-famous author first so her family won’t forget about her. It also addresses coming from a bi-racial family and having difficulties reading. It’s truly a lovely realistic fiction story.
Ramona Quimby Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
Ramona is another adorable character who is perfectly imperfect. She is sweet and lovable and gets into her share of trouble. Whether reading to boys or girls, every child can relate to Ramona.
Why We Love This Book: When it comes to first chapter books Ramona can’t be beaten! Cleary’s classic has stood the test of time.
Appropriate for ages 4-9
Find this book in Realistic Fiction / Books for 6-year-olds / Kids Audiobooks /
Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park
Junie B. Jones is the Ramona Quimby of the next generation. Junie is going into Kindergarten and definitely has a knack for getting into some trouble.
This realistic fiction series is perfect for new readers and will keep your little reader laughing.
Quirky Realistic Fiction
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
Author: Dan Gemeinhart
Year: 2019
Genre: Fiction
Age: 9-12
More info: Coyote Sunrise #1
Plot
Coyote Sunrise lives with her Dad, Rodeo on an old school bus, riding around the country but never returning to where her mother and sisters died.
Until Coyote gets a call from her grandma that the park where she hid a memory box is scheduled to be torn down. Soon Coyote needs to figure out a plan to get her dad back to Washington before she loses that box.
Trigger Warnings
Child death, Death of parent, Grief
Why Kirsten loves it
Filled with life lessons and charming strangers they meet and transport along the way, I adored Coyote and her unique life. My kids listened with me too and they felt the same way.
Find this book in: Realistic Fiction / Audiobooks for Kids / Audiobooks for a Road Trip / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Best Books for a 10-year-old
Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt
My son adored Pay Attention, Carter Jones. He loved the premise of the butler coming over to teach Carter to play cricket. He liked how Carter learned about how to be a gentleman from the butler who is strict, but exactly what the family needs during their troubling time.
He’s recommended it to a few of his friends already and my mom even read it and enjoyed it! It’s a heartfelt, realistic fiction read in all the best ways. It’s one of our favorite coming-of-age books for 13-year-olds.
Greetings from Witness Protection!
Author: Jake Burt
Year: 2018
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 9 – 12
Plot
What a fun story about an orphan girl tasked by the U.S. Marshalls to keep a family alive. As she enters into witness protection with them, she puts her street smarts and pick-pocketing abilities to good use.
But can she keep her new family safe? Will she be able to hide from her own past? All while avoiding any C’s in school… You’ll just have to read this tween mystery book to find out.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a fun and unique story that will entertain even the pickiest reader. It’s a great audiobook for family road trips too!
Find this book in: Realistic Fiction Books / Books for 12-year-olds / Mystery Books for Tweens
The Best Realistic Fiction Set in School
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Raúf
This is the story of Ahmet, a Syrian refugee, who ends up in Mrs. Khan’s 4th-grade class. At first, the students are wary of the strange new boy.
Soon, they learn that Ahmet has been separated from his family when he was trying to escape the war. Soon the kids were banding together to help Ahmet reunite with his family.
My son cried while reading this book for 10-year-olds. The story touched his heart and evoked such compassion in him.
Restart
Author: Gordon Korman
Year: 2018
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 10 – 12
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Plot
Chase wakes up in the hospital after falling off a roof and doesn’t remember anything- including his name. When he returns to school, he sees how the kids react to him. Some kids worship him and other kids are terrified of him. The questions become, who he was and who he wants to be.
Trigger Warnings
Bullying
Why Jackie loves it
My kids all read this realistic fiction book one after another. In fact, they passed it to each other to read so they could all discuss it.
Find this book in: Realistic Fiction / Best Books for 12-year-olds
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
My 3rd-grade math lover inhaled this tween book in 2 days. It’s all about a 12-year-old girl who was struck by lightning and became a math wiz.
She’s been homeschooled her whole life, but now her grandmother wants her to try to go to school just for one year. She has to make one friend, join one activity, and read one book that isn’t math related. Can she do it?
Plot
This realistic middle grade fiction story is so relevant to society today. The heroine of this story is a girl whose favorite book was just banned from her school library. She starts her own locker library filled with more banned books from the school’s library.
As she stands up for her right to read, she challenges adults in her community and learns about books’ power to unite everyone.
Why Kirsten loves it
With a particularly relevant message for society today, this story is a must-read for teaching children about censorship and the importance of seeking differing opinions.
Find this book in: Realistic Fiction Books / Best Books for 12-year-olds / Middle Grade Fiction / Best Books of 2017 / School Books
Plot
The kids in room 117 are all together because they have been deemed “unteachable.” Mr. Kermit their teacher seems like someone they will despise, but as the year progresses, the students’ outlook changes.
Trigger Warnings
Bullying
Why Jackie loves it
With rotating narrators and a lovely, if predictable story, this realistic fiction book is inspiring for all students.
Find this book in: Best Books for 10-year-olds / Mystery Books for Tweens
Sports Realistic Fiction
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Kwame Alexander has won many awards for his incredible proses. This tween novel, the first in a series, is no exception having won both the Newberry and The Coretta-Scott King Award.
The Crossover is all about Josh Bell a basketball-loving middle-schooler who also loves to rap. He learns to grow up in this coming-of-ask story about Josh, his twin, and his family.
This is one of the many tween books for a 12-year-old being adapted. Look for the book adaptation starring LeBron James coming to Disney+ soon!
Ghost
Author: Jason Reynolds
Year: 2017
Genre: Fiction
Age: 10 – 12
More info: A National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature
Plot
Ghost runs and has been running since he was a small child. He started running when his father chased him down to the street with a loaded gun and he has not stopped since.
Now, he has been chosen for an elite track team that could go to the Junior Olympics if Ghost can get his act together. He has natural, raw talent that can send him all the way if he can stop his past from catching up to him.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Bullying
Why Jackie loves it
This realistic fiction is are a hard, but wonderful read. It is a great story for developing empathy in children. Ghost is a marvelous character. Like all of Jason Reynold’s sports books – this will pull in even the most reluctant of readers.
Find this book in: Best Books for 12-year-olds / Realistic Fiction for Kids
Realistic Historical Fiction Books
Refugee
Author: Alan Gratz
Year: 2017
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Age: 10+
More info: New York Times Bestsellers
Plot
Three tales in one, this realistic fiction story is told in alternating chapters by three narrators. The stories feature Josef, a Jewish refugee fleeing WWII Germany, Isabel a Cuban girl on her way to Miami in 1994, and Mahmoud a Syrian refugee seeking asylum in Germany in 2015. The chapters rotate between the three characters and their stories do connect at the end in a meaningful and moving way.
Trigger Warnings
War, Child Death
Why Kirsten loves it
The characters are all about 13 years old but shoulder burdens that would be hard for an adult to handle. Gratz accurately portrays each child’s struggle with both grace and clarity – not shying away from difficult emotions and even death.
Find this book in: Best Books for 11-year-olds / Realistic Fiction Books for Kids / Middle Grade Books for Tweens / Best Audiobooks of All Time / Best Books of 2017 / Books That Will Emotionally Wreck You / WWII Books for Kids
Stella and the Starlight
Author: Sharon M. Draper
Year: 2016
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Age: 10 – 12
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Plot
This historical fiction novel for 11-year-olds takes place during the Depression era. Stella lives in Bumblebee, North Carolina, in the segregated South, where the Klan still exists.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Hate Crimes
Why Jackie loves it
The book touches upon so many important concepts like the Depression, voting rights, racism, family, and finding your inner strength. This middle grade fiction has a realistic ending, not a happy one and that left my daughter begging to read more.
Find this book in: Realistic Fiction / Books for 12-year-olds / Middle Grade Fiction
The War That Saved My Life
Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Year: 2015
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age: 9+
More info: The War That Saved My Life #1, Newbery Honor Book, Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award
Plot
Ada is a 10-year-old girl who lives in a one-room world gazing at the world from one window. She was born with a club foot and teaches herself to walk in secret. When the children who lived in London were evacuated to the country at the start of WW2, Ada escapes her abusive mother and leaves London with her little brother.
Ada thrives in the countryside on Susan’s farm and watching her grow is a pleasure. As Susan bonds with Ada and her brother, she starts to wonder what will happen when she returns to London.
Trigger Warnings
War, Child Abuse
Why Jackie loves it
I read this realistic fiction book in a few hours and immediately ordered the sequel The War I Finally Won. It is a story of love and survival in the face of overwhelming obstacles that is emotionally crafted and brilliantly written.
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Best Books for a 12-year-old
Summer Time Realistic Fiction
When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie
Author: Erin Soderberg
Year: 2021
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 8 – 12
More info: The Great Peach Experiment #1
Plot
After selling one of their deceased mom’s inventions, the Peach children learn that they are rich and their dad knows exactly what he wants to do with the money.
He buys a used food truck and he wants to spend the summer traveling with the kids and selling pies. He wants the family to bond as they live out one of their mom’s dreams.
Why Kirsten loves it
The first in a new middle grade series, my son LOVED this realistic fiction story! My kiddo gobbled this book up and we’ve been recommending it ever since!
Find this book in: Best Books for 12-year-olds / Realistic Fiction
Plot
The story revolves around Jaime who, after doing something bad at school, is doing community service hours at the library for the summer. Jaime is reluctant to volunteer at first but quickly grows to love the staff and regulars at the library.
Why Kirsten loves it
I read this as a read-aloud with both of my children (boys 6-8) even though it’s technically a Middle Grade book. We adored this charming tale so much that we stayed up to late reading it together.
Find this book in: Realistic Fiction Books / Best Books for 11-year-olds / Middle Grade Books for Tweens
My Not-So-Great French Escape by Cliff Burke
I adored this story about Rylan, who is staying on a farm in France to reconnect with his former best friend, Wilder. It’s such a heartwarming story about how friendships change as we age, sometimes ending as lives and values grow.
This one did not have a happy ending for Rylan’s quest to stay friends with Wilder, but it was a wonderful lesson in being true to yourself and following your own interests. Rylan was well out of his comfort zone, but he was able to connect with new friends, learn new skills, and become a more confident version of himself.
I love that the message at the end of the day is that if you stay true to yourself, you’ll end up with people that love and appreciate the real you.
Classic Realistic Fiction Books
Kristy’s Great Idea by Ann M. Martin
The babysitters are back and updated for a new generation! I love that the stories in this series have been adapted into graphic novels.
The very first one, Kristy’s Great Idea, is about the formation of the Baby-Sitters Club and how the friends of the sitters developed. If you have middle schoolers, they should check out the Netflix book adaptation of this realistic fiction series.
Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Harriet the Spy has been a classic children’ book for over 50 years. The 11-year-old is never without her notebook to write her observations in. When the notebook falls into the hands of her friends, they all get very angry with Harriet.
Will she be able to right her wrongs? There is a reason this realistic fiction book for a 10-year-old has been adapted repeatedly for the screen. It’s got life lessons for every child.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
Year: 1960
Genre: Classic Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 12+
More info: Pulitzer Prize Winner
Plot
This coming-of-age novel is about Scout, a young girl whose father, Atticus, is a lawyer in her Southern town. As she grows, she realizes the prejudices within her town – culminating in her watching a trial as her father defends Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Rape
Why Kirsten loves it
This book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was also made into an Academy Award-winning movie. I still remember learning about this book in seventh-grade English. It’s a powerful novel everyone should read.
Why Jackie loves it
I cannot count the number of times I have read this book. It is a coming-of-age book that was ahead of its time and is even more relevant today.
Find this book in: Coming of Age Books for Teens / Realistic Fiction / Thought-Provoking Books / Fun Books for Teens / Best Books for 12-year-olds
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
I’m pretty sure this coming-of-age tween book is required reading for everyone! Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie’s house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia.
One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief. This realistic fiction book set in the 70s is an award winner for a reason.
Anne of Green Gables
Author: L. M. Montgomery
Year: 1908
Genre: Classic
Age: 10+
More info: Anne of Green Gables #1
Plot
I was immediately drawn to Anne upon first reading this story. She is smart, precocious, and has a way of making everyone love her while simultaneously finding new ways to get into trouble.
Anne is an orphan sent to live with siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert who wanted a male orphan to help them on the farm. Anne was sent to them instead. She is bright, loquacious, and wins their hearts.
Why Kirsten loves it
I cherish this entire book series and the TV miniseries inspired by it. I vividly remember watching Megan Follows as Anne completely transfixed. I was so enamored, that I remember asking my grandmother to get me the books to read!
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of my all-time favorite books. Something is comforting about this cozy book that makes me read it repeatedly. It is a beautiful book about friendship and found family. Because of this book, I hope to visit Prince Edward Island one day.
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books / Friendship Books / Realistic Fiction / Books with Green in the Title / Fun Books for Teens
Did you love the realistic fiction books on this list? You might want to check out these other posts too!
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