An Introduction

The following blog features twenty core titles of Contemporary Realistic Fiction for Tweens. The titles illuminate everyday life as they present social and human concerns. Contemporary realistic fiction features plausible stories set in today’s world (Contemporary Realistic Fiction, p203).

When selecting quality contemporary realistic fiction titles we paid strict attention to the plausibility of the books’ characters, plot and setting. The characters need to feel familiar to the reader; the reader feels like they know them and/or identifies with them.  In addition, the plot must consist of places, events and actions that occur in everyday life (Contemporary Realistic Fiction, p189).

As Naked Reading by Teri Lesesne points out Tweens experience psychological, physical and emotional transitions as they approach their teen years (Lesesne 2006, p11).  Contemporary realistic fiction provides Tweens with the opportunity to see their lives reflected within the pages as they relate to and learn with characters. Contemporary realistic fiction explores a diverse array of subjects, including, coming- of- age, bullying, friendships, and family relationships; and sensitive issues, such as, death and abuse.

The titles selected for this blog explore a number of issues that provide Tweens with relevant lessons for their lives and inspirational characters to relate to. These twenty titles are each examples of meaningful, substantial and lasting work.  Many of the titles are award winners and all of them are well reviewed.

**Bibliography:

Lesesne, T.; (2006). Naked reading. ME: Stenhouse Publishers.

Unknown, Contemporary realistic fiction, ch. 7. Retrieved from http://www.wadsworthmedia.com/marketing/sample_chapters/0534555446_ch07.pdf

Blog contributors:

Patrick

Suzanne

Rachelle

Melina

This is What I Did by Ann Dee Ellis

This is What I Did. Ann Dee Ellis. Little, Brown and Company, c2007. 157 pages.

Plot: Ann Dee Ellis’ This is What I Did is narrated by thirteen-year-old eight grader Logan Paloney. Logan is struggling to move past a violent encounter he witnessed between his friend Zyler, Zyler’s abusive father, and a girl named Cami the previous year. Though Logan’s family moved Logan and his younger twin brothers across town after the incident and enrolled Logan in a new middle school, Logan’s life hasn’t gotten any easier. His new classmates (and even one classmate’s father) bully him terribly. However, Logan begins to see a counselor and begins a friendship with a girl named Laurel and is eventually able to confront his feelings about what had happened.

Review/personal thoughts:
Ellis’ fragmented writing style and use of almost screenplay-style dialogue accurately portrays, I believe, the thought process of a young boy who has been through something traumatizing. A quick and engaging read, its honesty will appeal to tween readers.

Having done nothing to help his friend Zyler when he witnessed a violent encounter between Zyler, Zyler’s father, and Cami, Logan struggles with feelings of shame. He not only feels guilty because he feels he wasn’t a good friend to Zyler, but he also feels guilty because of the ways in which his family’s life has changed since the incident. When Logan’s parents take him out for a milkshake, leaving his twin brothers behind, he thinks: “I felt guilty they were taking me without the others, at first, but then I realized it made sense since everything was about me: Dr. Benson, me getting the best room, the playoff tickets, and now shakes” (Ellis, 2007, p.124).

Because Logan feels guilty that his parents are concerned about him, he constantly assures them that he is fine. He doesn’t trust that his family won’t judge him if he is honest about what had happened and the way it has affected him. He also doesn’t trust his new friend Laurel will still want to be his friend if she knows the truth about what happened. However, Logan eventually begins to open up and in the end even finds the courage to email Zyler, who he hasn’t spoken to since the incident.

Tweens will relate to Logan's difficulty overcoming his shame, and will benefit from his journey towards forgiveness—towards forgiving himself as well as Zyler.

Genre: contemporary realistic fiction

Reading level: ages 12-up

Awards:
Nominated for Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
American Library Association - Best Books for Young Adults
Voice of Youth Advocates - 2007 Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers List

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The Outsiders. S.E. Hinton. Speak, c1967. 180 pages.

Plot:

Narrated by Ponyboy Curtis, a shy, fourteen-year-old boy, The Outsiders depicts the rivalry between the Greasers and the Socs (short for Socials), two groups separated by their socioeconomic status. Ponyboy, his two older brothers, and their tight-knit group of friends are Greasers. When Ponyboy and Johnny (his best friend among the gang) are jumped one night by a group of Socs, Johnny winds up killing one of them. The incident opens Ponyboy’s eyes to the fact that the warring groups really aren’t that different.

Review/personal thoughts:

Though The Outsiders was written and takes place in the 1960’s, I consider it an appropriate addition to a core contemporary realistic fiction collection for tweens as the material isn’t dated. Written when Hinton was just sixteen, the novel tackles issues that are still relevant today.  

For example, tweens will relate to the characters’ need to belong. Though Ponyboy and his friends consider themselves outsiders, they find comfort in their “Greaser” label. Hinton’s characters initially define themselves according to their Greaser or Soc status. In the end, however, they begin to recognize their similarities, in spite of their differences; “Socs were just guys after all. Things were rough all over, but it was better that way. That way you could tell the other guy was human too” (Hinton, 1967, p.118). 

The Outsiders also touches upon such other relevant subjects as friendship, family relationships, and loss. 

Genre: contemporary realistic fiction

Reading level: ages 10-up 


Awards: 

New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Books List, 1967

Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book, 1967

Media and Methods Maxi Award, 1975

ALA Best Young Adult Books, 1975

Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, 1979

Flipped by Wendelin van Draanen



Van Draanen, W. (2001). Flipped. New York: Random House
Plot
Flipped is a two person narrative about two kids coming of age. Ever since the second grade, Juli Baker has been in love with Bryce Loski, unfortunately, Bryce does everything he can to avoid her. When they both enter junior high, everything flips and emotions change and both begin to see each other differently and both need to start over, together.
Review

  This is a great book about growing up and all the ups and downs life gives you. Readers will relate to both Juli and Bryce and they will see how people perceive events and emotions differently. Tweens will relate to the angst of relationships and first love and the feelings that stem from it. Readers will also love the spunkiness of Juli and her absolute love for life despite the laughter she receives from her peers. When Bryce begins to see the beauty inside Julie readers want to shout out " See we told you so!". 

Genre

  Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

Tween/ 4-8th grade/ 9-12 years old

Similar Books

Thwonk by Joan Bauer
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Awards

• 2003
  • Won: Virginia Young Readers Program Award
  • Won: South Carolina Children's Book Award
• 2004
  • Won: California Young Reader Medal
  • Won: Nevada Young Readers Award
  • Nominated: Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award







Anything but Typical by Nora Baskin

Baskin, N. (2009). Anything but Typical. Simon and Schuster Publishing: New York.

Plot

  Anything but Typical is written from the point of view of Jason who loves creative writing, literary devices, online forums, and is autistic. Although Jason has found comfort in sharing his writings on an online forum called Storyboard, he is at a loss when it comes to real relationships both in school and at home. His world is turned upside down when his parents want to send him to meet fellow writers at a Storyboard conference and he begins to share his understanding and fear of what society deems as normal and his hope to stay connected despite his handicap.

Review

  Anything but Typical is a well written story full of an extraordinary cast of characters. The main character Jason puts it perfectly when he says "stuff just happens" to explain the ups and downs of life. Despite the fact that Jason is autistic he is still able to write his deep emotions and thoughts in his online forum, something that many "ordinary" people don't have the guts to do. I liked that the author was able to bring to life Jason's family members and explain to readers how autism affects every relationship. This book brings autism to the fore front of typical tweens and first love, true friendships and every day drama.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level

Tween/ 4-7th grade/ 9-12 years

Similar Books

The Silent Boy by Lois Lowry

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Mockingbird by Kathyrn Erskine

Awards

 Starred review Kirkus
• Starred review Booklist
• Junior Library Guild Selection 2009
• Indie Booksellers for the Summer 2009 Kids' List

The Boy in the Basement by Susan Shaw

 

Shaw, S. (2004). The Boy in the Basement. Dutton Juvenile: New York.

Plot

  Charlie has been imprisoned by his violent father for years because he was "bad". When he accidentally escapes, he is thrown into a world full of holidays and love but he is still struggling to feel safe. Through Charlie's first person account we see an emotionally and physically scarred boy who still longs for the love of his abusive parents and wonders if he will ever be happy despite the new safe life he has been given. 

Review

  This book reminded me of a tone downed version of A Child Called It. It had that same "I want to throw this book against the wall" feeling and tears when you read about the horrors Charlie has to endure yet he still has the ability to forgive and love his abusive parents. Readers scream for justice as the details of the abuse is outlined, you want to cry when good people mend and save Charlie and you want to campaign against the horrors you read about in this book. With the popularity of A Child Called It this book is better suited for the tween level and readers can still learn about survival and hope.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Interest Level

Tween/ 4-7th grade/ 9-12 years

Similar Books

Black Eyed Suzie bySusan Shaw

Gillyflower by Ellen Howard

Promise Not to Tell by Carolyn Polese

Awards

• New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age 2005
• A Junior Library Guild Selection
• Texas Tayshas Reading List
• Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection
• Starred Kirkus Review

The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye by Bonnie Shimko

Shimko, B. (2010). The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye. Farrar, Straus and Giroux: New York.

Plot

  Amelia has a mother who hates her, an older brother and sister who have never bothered to meet her, a father who ran off with a younger girl, and absolutely no friends. When Amelia meets Fancy Nelson for the first time, she knows that she has found her first true friend. The fact that Fancy is African American means nothing to Fancy, but unfortunantley, it means a whole lot to The rest of the world in the 1960's. 

  Readers follow the begiining of the beautiful friendship between Fancy and Amelia and the different layers of family and friendship. When Amelia's grandfather suffers a stroke she is left with absolutley nothing to hold onto except for her friend Fancy and Fancy's mysterious neighbor next door. 

Review

  This book was my first love of 2011. The story is so simple, yet so powerful when readers are taken through the turmoil of the 1960's and the terrible upbringing of Amelia E. Rye. Despite this, Amelia is a tween's heroine. She is a smart, fiesty, and determined kid who shoots for the moon regardless of the cards that are stacked against her. Bonnie Shimko brilliantly weaves her cast of characters to develop the instrict storyline into the central theme. A must read of 2011. 

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Interest Level

Tween/ 9-12 years/ 4th - 7th grade

Similar Books

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Awards

The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye was included in the American Library Association's "2011 Best Fiction for Young Adults. 

Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes

Henkes, K. (2003). Olive's Ocean. Greenwillow Books: New York.

Plot

  Olive Barstow was in Martha's class, until she was killed in an hit and run accident while riding her bicycle. After Olive's mother gives Martha a page from her daughters' journal, Martha's life will never be the same as she begins to notice the special similarities between the two girls. Both girls want to be writers, both of them want to see the ocean and both are struggling with their everchaging childhood and adolescence. After reading Olive's journal, Martha realizes the uncertainty of death and that life is worth living to the fullest.

Review

  For young adult readers, this book is a powerful look at the affirmation of life and the mysteries of death. Readers don't know Olive, yet her thoughts fill their heads with epiphanies about the uncertainty of life. Henkes words brilliantly, yet subtly, touch on subjects that tweens experience, from first love, preparing for school and the loss and gain of friendships.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

Tweens/4-7th grade/ 9-12 years

Similar Books

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur

Sun and Spoon- Kevin Henkes

A Corner of the Universe - Ann M. Martin

Awards

ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice ALA Notable Children’s Book Newbery Honor Book

Virginia Young Readers Award ALA Best Book for Young Adults New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Mockingbird. Kathryn Erskine. Philomel Books, c.2010. 232 pages.

Plot:

Kathryn Erskine’s Mockingbird is narrated by Caitlin, a 10 year old girl with Asperger’s syndrome. Caitlin’s older brother, Devon, has just been killed in a school shooting and Caitlin, with the help of a kind school counselor, struggles with finding closure for her and her father.

Review/personal thoughts:

Erskine makes a great contribution to young adult literature with Mockingbird for several reasons. In employing a narrator with Asperger’s syndrome, she takes on many challenges. Caitlin’s interpretations of the world around her are absolutely literate and entirely unemotional. However, I found that I quickly began to understand her thought process. By giving Caitlin a voice, Erskine forces her young readers to see the world from Caitlin’s point of view. Readers are made aware of the difficulties of living with Asperger’s syndrome as Caitlin faces them. Mockingbird gives readers the chance to better understand someone who is different, and in doing so gives them the tools for acceptance. 

Erskine’s novel also deals with the issue of grief, demonstrating the different ways in which people deal with grief. Caitlin, for example, remains mostly unemotional, though she does miss her older brother and his patient explanations and guidance. She understands that Devon is dead, yet she still expresses her desire to do the things with him that she used to. This, as does any mention of Devon, upsets her father greatly. In fact, he conceals Devon’s chest (an unfinished Eagle Scout project) with a sheet so that he doesn’t have to see it. He also spends a lot of time crying. Josh, a boy at school, offers readers yet another example of grief. The cousin of the school shooter who killed Devon, Josh deals with his grief by acting out until he finally breaks down at school.

Mockingbird deals with difficult topics, but handles them with “finesse” (one of Caitlin’s favorite vocabulary words). It not only brings its readers an understanding of what it’s like living with Asperger’s syndrome, but also provides a well rounded view of the ways in which a community deals with the aftermath of a traumatic event. 


Genre: contemporary realistic fiction

Reading level: ages 9-12

Awards:
National Book Award for Young People's Literature, 2010

Parrot in the Oven, Mi Vida by Victor Martinez

Parrot in the Oven, Mi Vida. Victor Martinez. HarperCollins Children’s Books, c1996. 216 pages.

Plot:

Victor Martinez’s Parrot in the Oven, Mi Vida is a coming of age story following Manuel Hernandez, a fourteen year old Mexican American boy. The novel follows Manuel’s life in the year leading up his test of courage and initiation into a neighborhood gang. Manuel, who is smart and well behaved, struggles to find his place in the world while battling hardships often brought on by his dysfunctional family. Though he must contend with an alcoholic and sometimes violent father, a mother who turns a blind eye to his father’s behavior, poverty, bullies, racism, and more, Manuel does discover in the end what being a vato firme, a guy to respect, means to him.

Review/personal thoughts:

Though highlighting issues such as alcohol abuse, violence, poverty, bullying, and racism, Parrot in the Oven is a beautifully told story that I believe mature tweens will find benefit in reading. Martinez’s descriptions are rich and always right on, and were a delight to read.

Even more valuable than Martinez’s stunning prose, however, is the message his novel delivers. Growing up with a dysfunctional family in the projects, Manuel knows that it’s difficult for a kid like him to make something of himself. In his neighborhood, a man earns respect by joining a gang.

Manuel passes the Test of Courage to become a member of the Callaway Projects gang, but discovers soon afterward that the gang’s definition of a man to respect differs greatly from his own. He realizes this when he witnesses Eddie, one of the gang’s members, mug a woman coming out of the bank. “It was like I’d finally seen my own face and recognized myself; recognized who I should really be. Then I didn’t feel like catching up to Eddie anymore. Instead, I wanted to grab him, and scold him about how to treat people, how to be somebody who knows how to treat people: like my sister; like that lady” (Martinez, 1996, p.210). 

Though Manuel struggles with the difficult circumstances of his environment, in the end he doesn’t allow himself to fall victim to it. Through Manuel’s journey, Martinez demonstrates to his readers the importance of not allowing outside factors (whether these be your neighborhood, parents, peers, friends, race, social class, etc.) to define you. Tweens will benefit from Manuel's demonstration of self-determination and empowerment. 

Genre: contemporary realistic fiction

Reading level: ages 12-up

Awards:
Pura Belpre Author Award, 1998
Americas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, 1996
National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, 1996