Category Archives: realistic fiction
Spill Simmer Falter Wither – Sara Baume
He is an outcast – misshapen, unloved, fearful. He keeps to himself. It is safer that way. Acting on impulse (a very rare thing) he adopts an aggressive one-eyed dog. And so, his life begins to change. He has a … Continue reading
Orbiting Jupiter – Gary D. Schmidt
A kind family living simply on a small farm decide to foster an 8th grader, Joseph, who has been through so much. He comes from a juvenile correctional facility and needs a fresh start. Jack, 6th grader welcomes Joseph into … Continue reading
The Seventh Most Important Thing – Shelley Pearsall
Arthur is going through a lot. His dad died and after a while his mom discarded the father’s clothes. When Arthur sees the local Junk Man, known for going through garbage, wearing his father’s hat, Arthur loses it and throws … Continue reading
The One Thing – Marci Lyn Curtis
Maggie recently lost her eyesight from a severe illness and now attends a high school for the blind. Rather than throwing herself a pity party, she digs in and rebels in her own way. The story opens with her regular … Continue reading
Pieces of Why – K. L. Going
Tia does not know her father well. He has been in prison for many years. Her mother struggles to make ends meet and works very long hours, rarely seen around the community. Tia is a gifted singer and is a … Continue reading
Another Day – David Levithan
While this could be read as a standalone, it is far better to have read Every Day first. It is okay if Every Day was read years ago, the story will come back. Another Day is not a continuation of … Continue reading
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry – Fredrik Backman
Granny is Elsa’s only friend. She’s also a superhero. Lifesaving and driving people nuts are her superpowers. She also tells Elsa wonderful stories of the Land-of-Almost-Awake and the six kingdoms. Elsa is almost eight and is not very good at … Continue reading
The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak – Brian Katcher
Everyone has their own battles, their own pain, and their own issues, despite how they appear on the outside. To Ana, Zak initially seems like a slacker, a guy with no pressures, no destination, just enjoying a lazy journey with … Continue reading
Bertie’s Guide to Life and Mothers: A 44 Scotland Street Novel (9) – Alexander McCall Smith
It was good to return to Scotland Street and catch up on the happenings.The triplets have overwhelmed Matthew, so he offers one of the boys to Big Lou. But surely he wasn’t serious, was he? Angus and Domenica, settling into … Continue reading
A Spool of Blue Thread – Anne Tyler
Abby and Red Whitshanks had four children. Denny was the best looking and caused the most problems, always doing the unexpected, always stirring up things, looking to upset everyone. He was the one teachers called about, the one who dropped … Continue reading
There Will Be Lies – Nick Lake
Shelby and her mom have a solid routine in Arizona, complete with weekly ice cream dinners, trips to the batting cages for talented Shelby, and home schooling. Her life is quite sheltered, and her mom is constantly concerned with her … Continue reading
The Boy in the Black Suit – Jason Reynolds
Matt’s mother died of cancer. His father deals with her death by sinking into depression and alcohol. Matt deals with her death by shouldering the responsibilities of the sad reality. He needs a job and it is either at the … Continue reading
The Girl Next Door – Ruth Rendell
The qanats were a perfect place for the neighborhood children to play. Daphne found the name which means a subterranean passage for carrying water. The children loved the name because it started with a q without a u. It was … Continue reading
Half a World Away – Cynthia Kadohada
The enduring, unconditional, and transformative powers of family and love flow through this novel and immediately draw the reader in. Jaden, an 11 year old boy adopted a few years ago, constantly struggles with the feeling that he’s not good … Continue reading
The Sacred River – Wendy Wallace
Luxor is wonderful. The air is dry, clear, and for the first time in her life, Harriet can breathe. For the first time she truly feels alive. The noxious fogs of Victorian London made Harriet’s asthma life threatening, so her … Continue reading
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