Animal Stories: Realistic

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Realistic animal stories are usually more about the humans involved than about the animals. This isn't always true (London's Call of the Wild is a notable exception), but anyone who's read The Yearling, James Herriot's 5-volume memoir, or most of Marguerite Henry's books knows that the main characters are people, and the animals are the primary concern of those characters.

That's not to suggest that the animals are incidental, just that what readers are supposed to take away aren't simply facts about horses or dogs, but what all good literature offers, insight and commentary on the human condition. The reason we like stories involving animals so much is that humans and their furry companions are able to forge unique bonds predicated on innocence and loyalty that rarely exist in strictly human relationships.

What sets realistic animal stories apart from fantasy animal stories is that the animals in them are real animals, not talking, clothes-wearing, pipe-smoking people in animal costumes. Dogs bark, horses gallop, cows give birth to calves (it happens a lot in Yorkshire, apparently), and the world is very much as we experience and know it to be.

Children are particularly drawn to these stories, not because they like animals more than adults do, but because their imaginations still recognize everything as fair game. Animal tales show the world from an often unfamiliar perspective, and the appeal is especially great for those whose own perspective is still largely unformed.

A lot of these make great read-alouds for really young kids, or good books for budding readers to practiceon their own. Just because they're in the kids' fiction section doesn't mean they're only intended for children, either, and plenty of adults are still as much into animal novels as they were thirty years ago. Our selection is intentionally broad, and steadily growing—we may or may not be included in that last group.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

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Animal Stories

Animal Stories: Realistic

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4th grade (Ages 9-10),

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	101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith Reissue from Puffin Books for 3rd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $7.99
	Album of Horses by Marguerite Henry from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Animal Stories for 3rd-7th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $13.59
	Album of Horses by Marguerite Henry from Scholastic Inc. Realistic Animal Stories for 3rd-7th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Almost All-White Rabbity Cat by Meindert DeJong; illustrated by Herman B. Vestal from Inheritance Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $11.95
	Along Came a Dog by Meindert DeJong & Maurice Sendak from HarperCollins Realistic Animal Fiction for 4th-8th grade 1959 Newbery Honor Book in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI)
	Along Came a Dog by Meindert DeJong & Maurice Sendak from Inheritance Publications Realistic Animal Fiction for 4th-8th grade 1959 Newbery Honor Book in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI)
	Angel Knew Papa and the Dog by Douglas Kaine McKelvey from Rabbit Room Press for 2nd-4th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $12.99
	Avenging the Owl by Melissa Hart from Sky Pony Press for 4th-7th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo from Candlewick Press Realistic Fiction for 3rd-6th grade 2001 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo from Scholastic Inc. Realistic Fiction for 3rd-6th grade 2001 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Updated from Candlewick Press Realistic Fiction for 3rd-6th grade 2001 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Black Gold by Marguerite Henry from Rand McNally for 4th-7th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Born to Trot by Marguerite Henry; illustrated by Wesley Dennis Reprint from Aladdin Paperbacks for 4th-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $6.39
	Brighty of the Grand Canyon from Rand McNally in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley by Marguerite Henry; illustrated by Bonnie Shields from Aladdin Paperbacks Animal Stories: Realistic for 3rd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $6.39
	Capyboppy by Bill Peet from Sandpiper Books Non-fiction for 1st-6th grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $9.99
	Chucaro Wild Pony of the Pampa by Francis Kalnay from Walker and Company Realistic Fiction for 4th-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Cinnabar, the One O'Clock Fox by Marguerite Henry; illustrated by Wesley Dennis Reprint from Aladdin Paperbacks for 3rd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $6.39
	Colly's Barn by Michael Morpurgo New Ed from Mammoth for 3rd-5th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Desperate Adventures of Zeno and Alya by Jane Kelly from Square Fish Publishing for 3rd-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Dipper of Copper Creek by Jean Craighead George, John George from Puffin Books for 4th-7th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Every Living Thing by Cynthia Rylant from Aladdin Paperbacks for 4th-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Gaudenzia, Pride of the Palio by Marguerite Henry; illustrated by Lynd Ward Reissue from Aladdin Paperbacks for 3rd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $7.19
	Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes from Harcourt Realistic Animal Fiction for 2nd-5th grade 1952 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99
	Hachiko Waits by Lesléa Newman from Square Fish Publishing for 3rd-5th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI)
	Hank the Cowdog #01 Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog Hank the Cowdog #1 by John R. Erickson from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #02 Further Adventures of Hank the Cowdog Hank the Cowdog #2 by John R. Erickson from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #03 It's a Dog's Life Hank the Cowdog #3 by John R. Erickson Reprint from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #04 Murder in the Middle Pasture Hank the Cowdog #4 by John R. Erickson Reprint from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #05 Faded Love Hank the Cowdog #5 by John R. Erickson Reprint from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #06 Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Hank the Cowdog #6 by John R. Erickson from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #07 Curse of the Incredible Priceless Corncob by John R. Erickson Reprint from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #08 Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse Hank the Cowdog #8 by John R. Erickson Reprint from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #08 Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse Hank the Cowdog #8 by John R. Erickson from Puffin Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Hank the Cowdog #09 Case of the Halloween Ghost Hank the Cowdog #9 by John R. Erickson Reprint from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #10 Every Dog Has His Day Hank the Cowdog #10 by John R. Erickson Reprint from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #11 Lost in the Dark Unchanted Forest Hank the Cowdog #11 by John R. Erickson Reprint from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #12 Case of the Fiddle-Playing Fox Hank the Cowdog #12 by John R. Erickson from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #13 Wounded Buzzard on Christmas Eve Hank the Cowdog #13 by John R. Erickson from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $5.99
	Hank the Cowdog #13 The Wounded Buzzard on Christmas Eve by John R. Erickson Reissue from Puffin Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
	Hank the Cowdog #14 Hank the Cowdog and Monkey Business by John R. Erickson from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #15 Case of the Missing Cat by John R. Erickson from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #16 Lost in the Blinded Blizzard Hank the Cowdog #16 by John R. Erickson Reprint from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #17 Case of the Car-Barkaholic Dog by John R. Erickson Reprint from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #18 Case of the Hooking Bull Hank the Cowdog #18 by John R. Erickson Reprint from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #19 Case of the Midnight Rustler by John R. Erickson from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #20 Phantom in the Mirror by John R. Erickson from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK) $6.99
	Hank the Cowdog #21 The Case of the Vampire Cat by John R. Erickson from Maverick Books for 2nd-5th grade in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
	Hero by Walt Morey from Scholastic Press for 4th-7th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI)
	Hero by Walt Morey from Puffin Books for 4th-7th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $12.00 (1 in stock)
	Home is the North by Walt Morey from Blue Heron Publishing for 3rd-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford from Yearling for 4th-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $7.99
	Kavik the Wolf Dog by Walt Morey from Penguin Putnam for 3rd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI)
	Lassie Come-Home by Eric Knight from Square Fish Publishing for 4th-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $7.99
	Last Little Cat by Meindert DeJong from Inheritance Publications for 4th-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $11.90
	Last Little Cat by Meindert DeJong Reprint from Avyx, Inc. for 4th-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI)
	Minn of the Mississippi by Holling C. Holling from Houghton Mifflin Realistic fiction for 3rd-8th grade 1952 Newbery Honor Book in BFB Holling Geography (Location: HISCUR-BFG) $12.99
	Misty's Twilight by Marguerite Henry; illustrated by Karen Hause Grandpre from Aladdin Paperbacks for 3rd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $6.39
	My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara from HarperCollins Realistic Animal Stories for 4th-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $16.99
	Return to Hawk's Hill Incident at Hawk's Hill, Book 2 by Allan W. Eckert from Little, Brown & Company for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Ribsy by Beverly Cleary from HarperCollins for 3rd-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.39
	Salmon Creek by Annette LeBox Reprint from Groundwood Books for 3rd-5th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI)
	Scout's Distant Journey Scout Series by Piet Prins from Inheritance Publications Action/Adventure for 4th-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $10.95 $7.00 (1 in stock)
	Scout: The Flying Phantom Scout Series by Piet Prins from Inheritance Publications Action/Adventure for 4th-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $10.95
	Scout: The Mystery of the Abandoned Mill Scout Series by Piet Prins from Inheritance Publications Action/Adventure for 4th-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $10.95
	Scout: The Secret of the Swamp Scout Series by Piet Prins from Inheritance Publications Action/Adventure for 4th-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $10.95
	Scout: The Treasure of Rodensteyn Castle Scout Series by Piet Prins from Inheritance Publications Action/Adventure for 4th-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $10.95
	Scrub Dog of Alaska by Walt Morey New edition for 4th-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI)
	Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry from Aladdin Paperbacks for 4th-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI)
	Sled Dog School by Terry Lynn Johnson from Houghton Mifflin for 3rd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $9.99
	Strider by Beverly Cleary from HarperCollins for 4th-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.59
	Summer of Riley by Eve Bunting from HarperTrophy for 3rd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George from HarperCollins for 4th-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $3.50 (1 in stock)
	War Horse by Michael Morpurgo from Scholastic Press for 2nd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $7.99
	Ways of Wood Folk by William Joseph Long from CreateSpace for 2nd-6th grade in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS) $11.99
	White Stallion of Lipizza by Marguerite Henry Reissue from Aladdin Paperbacks for 2nd-5th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $6.39
	Whittington by Alan Armstrong from Yearling for 4th-6th grade 2006 Newbery Honor Book in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $6.99
	Wild Trek by Jim Kjelgaard from Bantam Books for 4th-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI)
	Winnie's Great War by Lindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut, Illustrated by Sophie Blackall from Little, Brown & Company for 3rd-6th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99
	Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry from Greenwillow Books for 3rd-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $7.99
	Year of the Panda by Miriam Schlein Reprint from HarperCollins for 3rd-5th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI)

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