DISCLAIMER: This site contains affiliate links, and we may receive commissions on any purchase you make using these links.
Oh, realistic fiction, a genre were writers render characters vividly that you almost think they’re going to pop off the page and take your coffee. It’s similar to reality TV, except better because the books don’t require dramatic music every five minutes.
In this article, you’ll get to know the best of the best realistic fiction books for middle schoolers, adults and kids currently available for quick grabs.
Table of Contents
Best Realistic Fiction Books for Middleschoolers
- Ruby’s Diner
Gigi Garcia is a trafficked teen whose mother chased her out of her home due to seduction allegations made against her by her step father. A book centered on kindness, deceit and denial. Middle schoolers can learn alot with this realistic fiction book as they approach their teen stages.
2. S.E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
Ahh, the drama of adolescence, presented with a side order of friendship and rebellion. Ponyboy Curtis—yes, that’s his name—demonstrates to us that there is more to the world of greasers and socs than first meets the eye.
GET THE OUTSIDERS ON AMAZON
3. John’s Hidden Truth
Bullies get the best of John as he snaps into deep depression caused by constant, unprovoked backlashes from his peers. John’s Hidden Truth” addresses the painful realities of today’s society in school-aged children
4. John Green’s “The Fault in Our Stars”
Have tissues on hand. This novel tells the love tale of Hazel and Augustus, who show us that stars may have flaws and that love can be both heartwarming and beautiful.
GET THE FAULT IN OUR STARS ON AMAZON
5. Limor Regev “Holocaust Survival”
This book is a tale of survival during the Holocaust. A sobering reminder of one of the darkest periods in human history. A story on human resilience and the value of empathy and historical awareness in creating a more compassionate society.
GET HOLES ON HOLOCAUST SURVIVAL ON AMAZON
6. Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”
We examine racial injustice in the Deep South via Scout Finch’s eyes, using her father Atticus as a guiding light of moral virtue. This work of fiction teaches us about empathy, justice, and having the guts to stand up for what’s right.
GET TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD ON AMAZON
7. Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”
The diary of Greg Heffley, a young person attempting to make sense of the confusing world of middle school. It’s wimpy in the greatest kind of way, funny, and relatable.
GET DIARY OF A WIMPY KID ON AMAZON
8. L.M. Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables”
Red hair is fine. We learn from Anne Shirley, an orphan with a fantasy world larger than Canada, that it’s acceptable to be a bit theatrical and very dreamy.
GET ANNE OF GREEN GABLES ON AMAZON
9. Angie Thomas, “The Hate U Give”
The life of Starr Carter serves as a potent social commentary. It’s about being heard in a world that is far too loud.
GET THE HATE U GIVE ON AMAZON
10. Katherine Paterson’s “Bridge to Terabithia”
Hold on to your fictitious crown, and let’s travel to Terabithia. It’s a realm of creativity, companionship, and a hint of melancholy. You will cry, for sure, but you will also grin.
GET BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA ON AMAZON
Best Realistic Fiction Books for Adults
1. Human Collateral
Get to know Millicent Brown- a single mother who rents her home as a drug den to drug dealers just to make end’s meet in the mean streets of Chicago. Thought you knew how it’ll end? Wait! You don’t; Millicent’s close friend ended up becoming an undercover cop. Relieve the suspense and find out what happens next in this crime-based book.
2. Delia Owens’ “Where the Crawdads Sing”
The riddle of the marsh girl? Verify. A homicide? Verify. A story so compelling you overlook checking your phone? Check again. Where the Crawdads sing is a mystery novel that’ll have you at the brink of your seat throughout the entire read.
GET WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING ON AMAZON
3. Fredrik Backman’s “A Man Called Ove”
Become acquainted with Ove. Despite his severe and grouchy demeanor, he has a kind heart. It’s a tale about unanticipated friendships and discovering that life may take you by surprise.
GET A MAN CALLED OVE ON AMAZON
4. Kristin Hannah’s “The Nightingale”
Two sisters in France during Nazi occupation. It’s a story of courage, resiliency, and the strength of women. Warning: You will be cheering them on like they’re your best friends.
GET THE NIGHTINGALE ON AMAZON
5. Back Porch Secrets
After losing her only child to a drunk driver, Ms. Ruby gets custody of Scooter, her daughter’s son, and Ms. Ruby’s only grandchild. She struggles to keep her home and health together as she raises scooter in a poverty-stricken broken-down complex.
6. Celeste Ng’s “Little Fires Everywhere”
A picture-perfect community is surrounded by secrets, and everything is turned upside down by a custody dispute. This book is comparable to that one nosy buddy who has extensive knowledge about everyone.
GET LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE ON AMAZON
7. Shadow Eyes 1&2
You need a series? Why not get an intense series like Shadow Eyes 1&2? This crime-based fiction series will engage you with the naunces of today’s society.
8. Carl Weber’s “Family Business”
Enter the Duncans’ world, where high-end vehicles and organized crime coexist. This story reminds us that secrets can be more complicated than a Sunday dinner argument, even in the most honourable households.
GET FAMILY BUSINESS ON AMAZON.
9.Donna Tartt’s “The Goldfinch”
Dickensian exploration of life, art, and tragedy in Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch is a lengthy read, but we promise you’ll want to appreciate each and every word.
GET THE GOLDFINCH ON AMAZON
10. Sally Rooney, “Normal People”
The tale of Connell and Marianne is a contemporary love story complicated by profound connection and social discomfort. It is comparable to viewing a romantic film, but superior.
GET NORMAL PEOPLE ON AMAZON
11. M.L. Stedman’s “The Light Between Oceans”
A baby, a moral quandary, and a lighthouse. This is a tale that will warm your heart before perhaps shattering it a little.
GET THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS ON AMAZON
12. Liane Moriarty’s “Big Little Lies”
Murder mysteries, playground drama, and lies. It resembles Desperate Housewives, minus the Wisteria Lanes and with greater depth.
GET BIG LITTLE LIES ON AMAZON
13. Sister Souljah’s “The Coldest Winter Ever”
Winter Santiaga’s life story is a warning in the cold streets of Brooklyn. It’s an honest, uncensored story that combines urban jungle ambition with a sobering reminder of the weight of decisions made in life, teaching us about resilience and the dangers of having the wrong kind of ambition.
GET THE COLDEST WINTER EVER ON AMAZON
14. Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple”
“The Color Purple” follows Celie as she uncovers layers of abuse and change in the American South. This book offers a powerful lesson on overcoming adversity and discovering one’s voice while highlighting the strength of sisterhood and resilience in a society that frequently attempts to silence them.
GET THE COLOR PURPLE ON AMAZON
Best Realistic Fiction Books for Kids
1. My Cousin Sue
Some kids may look innocent, but they can sometimes be cruel to their peers. Follow Sue as she flows through life with vitiligo, on a journey of self acceptance.
2. R.J. Palacio’s “Wonder”
Introducing August Pullman, a kid who stands out among other horses in a pasture of them all. When Auggie goes to school for the first time, he shows us the great power of kindness and how it shapes us into better versions of ourselves.
GET WONDER ON AMAZON
3. If I Were President
You think Trump was too old to be elected as U.S President? Wait till you meet a group of brave children who aspire to be presidents to solve the world’s major problems like crime, poverty, homelessness, and more. This book gives children the courage to be whatever they would like to be and to believe in their dreams.
4. E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web”
A friendship lesson, a spider, and a pig. This novel is a tangle of feelings mixed with a little bit of sadness and love.
GET CHARLOTTE’S WEB ON AMAZON
5. Roald Dahl’s “Matilda”
Matilda is not your typical girl—she’s smart— REALLY smart. This book takes you on a fantastical journey via the experiences of a brilliant girl.
GET MATILDA ON AMAZON
6.50 Cent’s “Playground”
A thirteen years old bully tells a grim tale that is everything but play for children. It’s an honest examination of bullying that goes into understanding, atonement, and the enormous influence our deeds have on others, all encapsulated in a story that appeals to a younger audience.
GET PLAYGROUND ON AMAZON
7. Gertrude Chandler Warner’s “The Boxcar Children”
Lots of action, one mystery, and four orphans. It’s a timeless piece that expertly still wins people over with lessons of strength and courage in young children.
GET THE BOXCAR CHILDREN ON AMAZON (AUDIO BOOK)
Conclusion
Folks, there you have it! The best realistic fiction books suitable for all ages. There’s a book here for everyone, be it a youngster who’s simply being amazing, an adult who’s an avid reader, or a middle schooler coping with middle school stuff. These tales are slices of life, some with additional cheese, more than simply stories. Now choose a book, any book will do, and lose yourselves in fictions that are as real as real life.
FAQs on Best Realistic Fiction Books
What Is the Most Famous Realistic Fiction Book?
The Harper Lee novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” is sometimes cited as the most well-known work of realistic fiction. This novel, which is set in the 1930s and deals with serious subjects, is well-known for its warmth and humor while telling a compelling story of racial injustice in a small Alabama town.
What Are the Best Realist Novels?
“Middlemarch” by George Eliot is among the best realist books ever written. Many readers recognize the book for its rich characterization and minute details, providing a realistic depiction of 19th-century English rural life. “Madame Bovary” by Gustave Flaubert is another well-known realist book. It offers a realistic yet critical portrayal of bourgeois life in France at the same time.
What Is a Good Example of Realistic Fiction?
Ruby’s Diner is a fantastic example of realistic literature, especially for middle students. It revolves around themes of kindness, deception, and denial. For young kids navigating the complexity of their formative years, it’s an engaging read that offers insightful knowledge about social dynamics and human behavior.
Why Should I Read Realistic Fiction?
Realistic fiction enables readers to comprehend and relate to experiences that are different from their own. These tales frequently address contemporary problems and ethical conundrums, giving readers a forum to reflect critically on their environment and get a better comprehension of human nature. Understand realistic fiction indepthly by reading this article.