Category Archives: Realistic Fiction

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

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Starr Carter and her friend Kahlil leave a neighborhood party when things start to get out of hand.  Not far from the party, the two are pulled over by a white police officer.  While being questioned by the officer, Kahlil leans in the car to check on Starr.  The officer believing that Kahlil has a weapon shoots and kills the unarmed Kahlil in front of Starr. After the shock of the incident starts to dissipate, Starr finds herself facing decisions of whether to keep quiet to protect herself and her family or to speak up to honor Kahlil.

 

Boy 21 by Matthew Quick

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Finley McManus is a quiet Irish American who escapes his dismal environment of Bellmont by focussing on his love of basketball and his basketball-playing girlfriend, Erin.  The only white player on his high school varsity basketball team, Finley works with determination during the off-season to be in the best condition for the team.  Finley lives with his dad and grandfather, and assists with his disabled grandfather’s care when his father works the night shift. Finley and Erin’s plan to work hard to get scholarships to get out of Bellmont away from the Irish mob and the other negative aspects of their hometown seems to be on track until Coach asks Finley to befriend Russ Allen and keep his secret.  Russ Allen, the former high school basketball phenom from California, refers to himself as Boy 21.  Russ believes he is an alien and not long for this world.  Coach has instructed Finley to get Boy 21 ready for the upcoming basketball season, but the problem is Boy 21 plays the same position as Finley.

The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore

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“When you’re a little kid in Harlem, you can pretty much go anywhere and do anything as long as you’re careful.  But when you start to get old–about my age, twelve–things start to change.”

Lolly is finding it hard to be without his older brother Jermaine who was shot at a nightclub in the Bronx. Navigating his world has become more complicated with this rock that sits in his chest.  When his mom’s girlfriend gives him to huge bags of Legos, Lolly finds distraction in building a huge city. But he still needs to figure out how to live his life in Harlem without Jermaine and where he and his best friend, Vega are continually harassed by older crews on the street.

Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess

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Blade’s celebrity hard rocker father, Rutherford Morrison, is in and out of rehab.  Rutherford is one of  the paparazzi’s favorite subjects, and when he’s not sober, he’s Blade’s worst nightmare.  Blade finds solace with his girlfriend, Chapel and playing soft rock his acoustic guitar.  But when Rutherford crashes Blade’s last minute valedictorian  speech at graduation, it sets a series of events in motion that send Blade on a journey to find out himself. This story is told in Kwame Alexander’s lyrical verse style.

 

Booked by Kwame Alexander

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Soccer-obsessed Nick Hall seems to have everything going for him this eighth-grade year.  His traveling soccer team has been invited to play in the Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup, a premiere youth tournament. His best friend, Cody’s team has been invited as well.  Nick has become a wordsmith in his Honors English class, most likely because his dad makes Nick read and learn words from the dictionary that he has written. And, April, a young lady that Nick has been admiring, seems to have mutual feelings for him.  But suddenly everything changes, and Nick is struggling to hold on to normal.  With the help of his best friend, The Mac Librarian, and his parents, Nick finds his new normal.

If I Ever Get Out Of Here by Erick Gansworth

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Lewis Blake is lonely. Because Lewis is so smart, he is one of the only “rez” kids in his classes at the white school. He is completely ignored by his prejudicial peers. Then George Haddonfield, a new kid from the Air Force base, meets Lewis and they strike up a friendship. Lewis and George share an interest in rock and roll, especially anything Beatles. Because of his friendship with George, Lewis isn’t “invisible” any more. Unfortunately, Lewis attracts the attention of a particularly vicious and powerful bully, Evan Reiniger. Lewis spends his time navigating reservation and family “rules” while trying to maintain a friendship with his white friend, and avoiding Evan Reiniger whenever possible.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

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Twins Josh and Jordan Bell are basketball stars at their middle school.  It’s in their blood.  There dad is Chuck “Da Man” Bell, a well-known professional player of the European leagues.  Their dad has taught them well.  Josh and Jordan usually do everything together, but when Jordan meets Alexis, a new girl in school, their relationship begins to change.  Josh frequently finds himself alone.  Kwame Alexander uses basketball and verse to weave the touching tale of the Bell family and their love of basketball and each other.

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

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Mr. Charles gave Ghost (Castle Crenshaw) a copy of the Guinness World Records and told him that someday he can be the greatest at something.  Ghost is a fast runner.  His survival has depended on that, but his speed gets noticed when Ghost challenges one of the fastest runners on the local Defenders track team.  Coach notices this young man in high tops and jeans matching his best stride for stride.  Coach recruits Ghost to become a member of the team, but will Ghost be able to commit to the hard work of training, staying out of trouble, and keeping his grades up at school?

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

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wonder

August Pullman is entering middle school in the fall.  Auggie has never attended school before.  Auggie has mandibulofacial dysostosis, a facial defect, and because of the need for multiple surgeries, he was homeschooled until now.  Auggie’s parents encourage him to attend fifth grade at Beecher Prep.  Mr. Tushman, the principal at Beecher Prep, invites Auggie in over the summer to join a few students, Charlotte, Jack and Julian while they give him a tour of his new school. Auggie is excited to finally be going to a real school but at the same time, he is so nervous.  Will his classmates ever be able to see beyond his face and get to know the real Auggie?

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm

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Sunny Side Up

Sunshine Lewin, or Sunny as she is known to her family, is sent to spend the summer in Florida with her grandfather.  Sunny’s vision of trips to Disney World and hanging out with other kids at the pool changes quickly when she discovers that her grandfather lives in a retirement community.  There aren’t many kids around and the “big plans” her grandfather has for her each day include trips to the bank and the grocery store. Sunny is facing a summer of complete boredom. Through flashbacks, we learn that Sunny has been sent to her grandfather’s while her parents deal with a family issue.  As the title suggests, Sunny does her best to keep her sunny side up and enjoy her exile in Florida.