Realistic Fiction Must Reads!

                                                Dear Mr. Henshaw

 As you read the book you go on an emotional journey with Leigh Botts, because of the way the book is written. You get to really experience his every thought since the book is written in letter format. A lot of children are coming from homes with parents separated which makes the home setting something that the readers can most likely relate and connect to. It is very believable. The way this book is written, also allows the reader to get inside Leigh’s head to see what he is thinking, feeling and wondering about. Great book!

 

 Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York: Harper Trophy.

 

                  
                                                     Out of My Mind

 

This is a book about a 10 year old with cerebral palsy and her issues with school. She is super smart but can’t prove it because of her physical limitations, until her family sets her up on a computer. Life is very frustrating for her which is will make the readers be able to connect with her. Even with Melody’s disabilities she still has to deal with the “normal” things a ten year old girl goes through. It is a great book of Melody’s journey of discovery, friendship, and finding her identity.

Draper, S. (2010). Out of My Mind. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

 

                                                                             Rules

 

Catharine, the main character, is just like any other young girl who has an annoying little brother so she is easy to relate to for young girls who also have a younger brother. Although Catherine’s younger brother is a little different because he has autism. This story is told through Catherine’s perspective as a young girl who has to take care of her younger brother. Girls can relate to her because of the events such as a new girl next door, liking a boy and not sure how your friends would react to him being in a wheel chair, and going to her first dance. It is an engaging story that is very true to life. The rules she gives her brother to help him in social and life situations make her seem real to the reader. It’s a very cute story with a very deep character.

 

Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York: Scholastic.

 

                                              A Crooked Kind of Perfect

 

Zoe dreams of becoming a piano prodigy but her parents give her The Perfectone D-60 instead and crush her dreams. She learns to adapt and actually learns that it is not so bad. The theme of building friendship and relationships and perseverance also are seen in this story about a girl who many little girls will be able to relate to!

Urban, L. (2007). A Crooked Kind of Perfect. Massachusetts: Sandpiper.

 

                                                                                

                                                                   Timmy Failure

This story will grab the reader’s attention on the very first page, even the cover, with its hilarious character and the author’s style. With all kinds of excitement, this book is hard to put down. The main character, Timmy, will be very easy for kids to relate to because it is written in their language, the way they talk and the way they feel about such things as school and parents. Timmy will keep children entertained with detective business and his polar bear sidekick Total. Similar to the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series this book feels very current. Even the chapter titles will entertain the readers as they read the book. I loved it! A new FAVORITE!!!!

 

Pastis, S. (2013). Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.

 

 

                                                      Bridge To Terabithia

 

This is the story of a young Jess Aarons. Jess wants to be the fastest kid in the fifth grade and we worked hard all summer to prepare but then everything changes when a family moves into the house next door. Leslie and her family decided to move away from the city and settle into the country house next door to Jess. After some hesitation in the beginning Jess and Leslie become great friends and invent an imaginary world. In this book Jess Aarons’ has to deal with the traditional male roles in a farming family. He has to do the chores and milk the cow while also struggling to fit in and please his father. He also struggles with his love of drawing which is not a stereotypical boy activity. Leslie Burke does not fit the typical stereotypes for a young girl either which makes this book a fun read.

 

Paterso, K. (1987). Bridge To Terabithia. New York: Harper Trophy.

 

 

Pictures from amazon.com