Realistic Fiction - Exodus Books

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Realistic fiction is kind of a newcomer to the long list of literary genres. Primarily aimed at children and adolescents (the corresponding genre in adult literature is usually just called "literary fiction"), realistic fiction is recognizable by its relatable characters and situations. What sets it apart from historical fiction is that the stories do not center around an actual historical event or person, though they may be set in a very real time period.

Characters deal with the things everyone else deals with—death, friendship, loneliness, embarrassment, first love—and they don't get transported to a make-believe island as a solution to their problems. They have to work it out, which is one of the main appeals of this genre; kids like to read about other kids (real or imaginary) going through the typical young person's trials and how they deal with it.

Not that all realistic fiction is sad and gloomy. It's just what it sounds like—stories about real-life from a fresh perspective. Also, we aren't suggesting there are no realistic elements to a fantasy like The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: there are, which is precisely what makes reading that book so rewarding. It's just that real kids don't fight literal dragons, they fight bullies, or their own insecurities, or ferocious acne.

A lot of the best and most-loved stories fall squarely within the limits of realistic fiction. Huckleberry Finn wasn't a real pirate, but he really rafted the Mississippi; Anne Shirley wasn't a Medieval princess, but she really became Matthew and Marilla's daughter; Anna and Caleb Witting aren't big on imagination, but they are big on really accepting Sarah into their family (at least, eventually).

The full range of human experience is explored in these stories, its darkness, its light, its sorrow, its joy. This is the purpose of literature, after all: to show us true life, and in showing us, to better prepare us for it. These books are some of the best at doing just that.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and 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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Realistic Fiction

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Coming of Age Stories

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Used Books & Materials

	Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt from Berkley Books Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade 1965 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99 $3.00 (1 in stock)
	After the Dancing Days by Margaret I. Rostkowski from HarperTrophy for 7th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $5.99 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	After the Rain by Norma Fox Mazer from HarperTeen for 6th-8th grade 1988 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Anne of Avonlea Anne #2 by L. M. Montgomery from Bantam Books for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Anne of Ingleside Anne #6 by L. M. Montgomery from Bantam Books for 7th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.99 $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Anne of the Island Anne #3 by L.M. Montgomery from Bantam Books Orphan Stories for in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (4 in stock)
	Anne of Windy Poplars Anne #4 by L.M. Montgomery from Bantam Books Orphan Stories for 5th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Anne's House of Dreams Anne #5 by L. M. Montgomery from Bantam Books for 5th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Beduins' Gazelle by Frances Temple from HarperCollins in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson from HarperCollins Fantasy for 5th-9th grade 1978 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Calico Bush by Rachel Field from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1932 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Calico Bush by Rachel Field from Dell Publishing Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1932 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Contender by Robert Lipsyte from HarperCollins for 7th-12th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Daughter of the Mountains by Louise Rankin from Puffin Books Action/Adventure Animal for 3rd-7th Grade Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $5.00 (2 in stock)
	Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck 1994 Printing from Random House Realistic Stories for 6th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary from Scholastic Inc. Realistic Fiction for 5th-7th grade Newbery Medal in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $1.60 (1 in stock)
	Dragonwings Golden Mountain Chronicles: 1903 by Laurence Yep from HarperCollins Historical fiction for 5th-8th grade 1976 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Dragonwings Golden Mountain Chronicles: 1903 by Laurence Yep from Scholastic Inc. Historical fiction for 5th-8th grade 1976 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Eight Cousins Puffin Classics by Louisa May Alcott from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.50 (2 in stock)
	Emily Climbs by L. M. Montgomery from Bantam Books Orphan Stories for 5th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Emily's Quest by L. M. Montgomery from Bantam Books Orphan Stories for 5th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Escape From Warsaw Originally titled The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier, illustrated by Irwin Hoffman from Scholastic Inc. Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Frightful's Mountain by Jean Craighead George from Puffin Books Adventure for 4th-8th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $8.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Golden Age by Kenneth Grahame from Wordsworth Classics for 6th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction for 4th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Indian Captive The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 4th-9th grade 1942 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99 $4.50 (2 in stock)
	It's a Jungle Out There! Rani Adventures #1 by Ron Snell from Hannibal Books for 4th-8th Grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson from HarperCollins Family Stories for 7th-10th grade 1981 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99 $3.00 (2 in stock)
	Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson from HarperTeen Family Stories for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Journey to Jo'Burg A South African Story by Beverley Naidoo from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/South Africa for 4th-7th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99 $3.50 (2 in stock)
	Journey to Jo'Burg A South African Story by Beverley Naidoo from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/South Africa for 4th-7th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99 $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Little Princess Adell Yearling Classics by Frances Hodgeson Burnett from Yearling Realistic Fiction for 3rd-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Lottery Rose by Irene Hunt from Berkley Books Realistic Fiction for 6th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Lyddie by Katherine Paterson from Puffin Books for 7th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $2.00 (2 in stock)
	M. C. Higgins, the Great by Virginia Hamilton from Aladdin Paperbacks for 6th-10th grade 1975 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli from Little, Brown & Company Realistic Fiction for 5th-9th grade 1991 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	No Promises in the Wind by Irene Hunt from Berkley Books Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.50 (2 in stock)
	Oliver Twist (abridged) Puffin Classics by Charles Dickens from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $8.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Orphans of the Wind from Dell Publishing for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse from Scholastic Inc. Realistic Fiction for 6th-8th grade 1998 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Phoenix and the Carpet by E. Nesbit, illustrated by H. R. Millar (uncredited) from Wordsworth Classics Fantasy for 4th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Rainbow Valley Anne #7 by L. M. Montgomery from Bantam Books for 5th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Rainbow Valley Anne #7 by L. M. Montgomery from Bantam Books for 5th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Rilla of Ingleside Anne #8 by L. M. Montgomery from Bantam Books for 5th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1977 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Roller Skates Puffin Newbery Library by Ruth Sawyer from Puffin Books Realistic fiction for 5th-8th grade 1937 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Roller Skates Puffin Newbery Library by Ruth Sawyer from Yearling Realistic fiction for 5th-8th grade 1937 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $1.50 (1 in stock)
	Second Mrs. Giaconda by E. L. Konigsburg from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Fiction for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett from Dell Publishing Realistic Fiction for 4th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $1.00 (12 in stock)
	Secret of the Andes Puffin Newbery Library by Ann Nolan Clark from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction for 4th-7th grade 1953 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen & Bahija Lovejoy 1st Beech Tree ed from HarperTeen Realistic Romantic Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $10.99 $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind by Suzanne Fisher Staples Reprint from Laurel-Leaf Books for 7th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Shadow of a Bull by Maia Wojciechowska from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1965 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $2.50 (1 in stock)
	Shadow of a Bull by Maia Wojciechowska from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1965 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Shakespeare's Spy Shakespeare Stealer #3 by Gary Blackwood from Puffin Books for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99 $4.50 (2 in stock)
	Slave Dancer by Paula Fox from Laurel-Leaf Books Historical Fiction for 6th-8th grade 1974 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.50 $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Sounder by William H. Armstrong from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction for 3rd-8th grade 1970 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Star Fisher by Laurence Yep from Scholastic Inc. for 5th-7th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss from Barbour Publishing Femininity/Realistic Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Story of the Treasure Seekers Puffin Classics by E. Nesbit, illustrated by Cecil Leslie from Puffin Books Family Stories for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1971 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (3 in stock)
	Swallows and Amazons for Ever! containing abridged editions of Coot Club and The Big Six by Arthur Ransome from Red Fox Family stories/boating for 7th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	That Printer of Udell's by Harold Bell Wright from Pelican Publishing Company for 6th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	The Crossover by Kwame Alexander from HMH Books for Young Readers for 5th-7th grade 2015 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)

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