January 12, 2016 | strande
Sometimes we just want to read about what's familiar or what's possible. Here are some suggestions for books that feature a high level of realism. You won't find many dragons or wizards or outer space adventures here, but you will find stories about things that really could happen. Books are suggested for Fourth Grade, but remember that each Reader is different, and might find something interesting at another level.
Susie is jealous when her brother is deemed a town hero, so she finds solace in the poetry and reclusive lifestyle of Emily Dickinson. To learn more about Emily Dickinson herself, check in JBIO DICKINSON.
The six mean Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars, and then become involved in the community Christmas pageant.
A family with two fathers, four adopted boys, and a variety of pets makes their way through a school year, kindergarten through sixth grade, and deal with a grumpy new neighbor. You can follow their further adventures in the delightful sequel, The Family Fletcher Takes Rock Island.
While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains, four lovable sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the dismay of his snobbish mother. More Penderwick adventures can be found in JFICTION BIRDSALL.
Sixth-grader Tommy and his friends describe their interactions with a paper finger puppet of Yoda, worn by their weird classmate Dwight, as they try to figure out whether or not the puppet can really predict the future. Includes instructions for making Origami Yoda. More books in this series, as well as others by the same author, can be found in JFICTION ANGLEBERGER.
This entertaining collection by Newbury-award-winning author, Jerry Spinelli, includes all four School Daze books. Follow Sunny, Salem, Eddie, and Pickles in a year full of adventures, as they take on the hilarious halls of Plumstead Middle School.
During the summer before their seventh-grade year, Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey tackle difficulties, including family problems, crushes, moving, and making new friends.
Peter finds his demanding two-year-old brother, Fudge, an ever increasing problem.
Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with extreme facial abnormalities and was not expected to survive, goes from being home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a private middle school in Manhattan, which entails enduring the taunts and fear of his classmates as he struggles to be seen as just another student.