If you'd like to buck the trend and build a solidly diverse, enjoyable library, these realistic fiction* books are some of the best of those that have come out. They are interesting, funny, relatable, and (just for you) arranged by level.
Summaries are from TitleWave unless otherwise noted.
K
Growing up in a big family, 7-year-old Sofia Martinez is used to fighting for attention. Her outgoing personality, mixed with her confidence and passion for everything she does, gets her that attention--even if it's sometimes mixed with trouble. Sofia is a little stubborn and a lot mischievous, so you can imagine the fun she creates in this early chapter book series. Four books.
L
Marisol McDonald has flaming red hair and nut-brown skin. Polka dots and stripes are her favorite combination. She prefers peanut butter and jelly burritos in her lunch box. To Marisol, these seemingly mismatched things make perfect sense together. First of two.
These mysteries will keep readers on the edge of their seats with fun, suspenseful stories, while helping them learn essential problem solving skills such as observing, inferring, and finding patterns. Engaging activities at the end of each book extend and reinforce the skills used by Milo and Jazz. Twelve books.
Freddie Ramos receives a pair of special sneakers that give him super speed. He uses this power to retrieve a classmate's lunch, identify the perpetrator of graffiti, and ultimately discover the source of the shoes themselves. With its cartoon-style black-and-white illustrations and mostly breezy text, this book is tailor-made for the chapter book set. First of four.
Shelter Pet Squad by Cynthia Lord
In this charming, illustrated chapter book series by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord, the Shelter Pet Squad kids find the perfect homes for animals in need! Author Cynthia Lord has created a fun and heartwarming series. Three books.
M
The school year is almost over, but nine-year-old Miami still has to deal with his nemesis, Destinee Tate, and also faces a challenge when he shops for a gift for his teacher. First of three.
N
Stories filled with emotional depth and humor about best friends Nikki and Deja. Six books.
Ruby Lu by Lenore Look
Seven-year-old Ruby Lu practices her magic tricks, attends Chinese school on Saturdays, and prepares for the arrival of relatives newly emigrating from China. Ruby is a spunky child--and Wilsdorf's angular sketches are as full of life as Ruby herself. First of three.
Julian, Huey, and Gloria books by Ann Cameron
Follow Julian, little brother Huey, and friend Gloria through several years of their lives in this ten book series, beginning with the classic: The Stories that Julian Tells. Ten books.
Keena Ford by Melissa Thomson
Second grader Keena Ford tries to do the right thing, but always seems to make things worse, especially when it comes to a mixed up birthday. Like her predecessors Ramona Quimby and Junie B. Jones, Keena Ford handles second grade with humor and spunk. First of three.
Donavan series by MonaLisa DeGross
Donavan's friends collect buttons and marbles, but he collects words. "NUTRITION," "BALLYHOO," "ABRACADABRA" -- these and other words are safely stored on slips of paper in a jar. As it fills, Donavan sees a storage problem developing and, after soliciting advice from his teacher and family, solves it himself: Visiting his grandma at a senior citizens' apartment house, he settles a tenants' argument by pulling the word "COMPROMISE" from his jar and discovers the satisfaction of giving his words away. First of two.
O
Eight-year-old EllRay Jakes's attempts to defend himself against the class bully always end up getting him in trouble, but he promises to do his best when his dad offers to take him to Disneyland if he can be good for an entire week--which may be a few days too long. First of eight.
Calvin Coconut by Graham Salisbury
Nine-year-old Calvin catches the attention of the school bully on the day before he starts fourth grade, while at home, the unfriendly, fifteen-year-old daughter of his mother's best friend has taken over his room. First of eight.
Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki GrimesSmart, spunky third-grader Dyamonde has everything going for her--except a best friend. The new kid, Free, doesn't show much promise at first, and Dyamonde nicknames him "Rude Boy"--until she takes the time to get to know him. A quirky heroine, an unusual friendship, and a city setting make this start to a new series a welcome addition. First of three.
Sassy by Sharon Draper
Nine-year-old Sassy Simone Sanford, known to her family members as "Little Sister," relies on her fashion sense and friends to help her solve any problems that come her way. First of three.
Anna Wang (The Year of the...) by Andrea Cheng
Nine-year-old Anna, who always has her head stuck in a book, sometimes uses reading as a shield against social exclusion (of the specialized fourth-grade-girl kind) and her own lack of confidence. Cheng's telling is as straightforward yet sympathetic as her self-contained main character; Halpin's often lighthearted pencil-and-wash sketches both decorate and enrich this perceptive novel. First of three.
Ruby and the Booker Boys by Derrick Barnes
The first book in this new series, Brand-New School, Brave New Ruby, focuses on Ruby's first day at a new school where her three older brothers reign supreme: the genius, the most popular, and the comedian prankster. Worried that she will only be known as the Booker Boys' little sister, she spends the first day trying to shine. Every time she attempts something, one of her brothers steals the limelight. Finally, Ruby gets her chance to show her new school just how special and individual she is. First of two.
Meet Liberty Porter. She's a regular nine-year-old girl with a lot going on. First of all, her dad has just started a new job. And she has to move to a house in a new city. Oh, and the really big thing? Her dad? His new job is president of the United States. That's right. So the house is the White House, and the city is Washington, D.C. That means Liberty Porter is going to be First Daughter and she is super-excited! First of three.
P/Q
Lulu tries to convince her teacher that their class guinea pig needs a companion. Unfortunately, her methods lead Mrs. Holiday to announce that if anyone brings another animal to school, she’ll trade their class pet for a stick insect. When their weekly visit to a nearby park ends in disaster , Lulu catches a duck's egg as it rolls downhill, and pockets it. All through the school day, she protects the egg and keeps it warm, revealing her secret only to her best friend (and cousin), Mellie. First of six.
Alvin Ho by Lenore Look
Touching, drop-dead-funny chapter books about a young boy in Concord, Massachusetts, Alvin Ho, who loves superheroes and comes from a long line of brave Chinese farmer-warriors, wants to be courageous, but first he must overcome his fear of everything. Five books.
Carver Chronicles by Karen English
English kicks off a new series, set in the same classroom as her Nikki and Deja books, starring Gavin, a new kid at Carver Elementary. Readers will identify with this character who is full of good intentions. Freeman's occasional black-and-white illustrations give readers a picture of the neighborhood. Chapter book readers have few options for reading about urban boys of color; here's hoping for more about Gavin. First of three.
STAT by Amar'e Stoudemire
Between sports, school, and working for his father, eleven-year-old Amar'e's life is full and he is not yet ready to concentrate on basketball--but when a group of older boys start hogging the local basketball court he knows that he has to do something to help his friends. First of five.
Sunny Holiday
Sunny Holiday thinks that every month should have a kid-friendly holiday. Valentine's Day, July 4th, and Christmas definitely fit the bill--but months like January and August are lacking. So Sunny takes it upon herself to make new holidays for the months that need them, getting her friends and family involved. Sunny is headstrong, funny, and trying to make the best out of every situation--whether it involves holidays or family problems. First of two.
Bobby Ellis-Chan by Lisa Yee
Nine-year-old Bobby Ellis-Chan has been best friends with Holly since babyhood. The story of how they lose then rediscover their friendship is told here with plenty of humor. While Yee rarely deviates from Bobby's viewpoint, both boys and girls will find much to relate to. The book features Santat's frequent, amusing full-page illustrations and an invitingly spacious page layout. First of two.
