Realistic Fiction « Young Adult Book Reviews

Archive for the 'Realistic Fiction' Category

Bunheads by Sophie Flack

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Romance

# of Pages: 294

RAC: Yes

Hannah has been a dancer at an elite Ballet company for many years and was completely fine dedicating so much of her life to it. After meeting a musician in a restaurant, however, she began to realize how much she has given up for her dancing and she is not even a solo dancer. Can she accept the fact that she has dedicated herself so strongly to something she may never reach the top at? Can she bring herself to walk away after so many years of hard work to pursue something else she may not even like?

This story allows readers to see what it is like to be a dancer in a ballet company. There are numerous rehearsals, fittings, physical therapy sessions, nutrition experts, etc. that are constantly ruling how the dancers should live. They are simply expected to give up any kind of outside life in order to succeed in this difficult field. Hannah is unusual in that she begins to think about life outside of the studio and is not sure she is up for the challenge of doing what it takes to get promoted. On the other hand, whenever she sees other girls get promoted over her she feels jealous and hurt. Is she meant to be a solo ballerina or merely a background dancer? Readers interested in dancing, the arts, or romance will enjoy this book wholeheartedly.

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Published March 16, 2012 RAC , Realistic Fiction , Romance Leave a Comment
Tags: computer, dating, Facebook, friendship, future, prediction, relationship

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 356

RAC: Yes

Emma and Josh are high school kids in 1996 when the story begins. Emma gets her first computer and hooks it up to AOL only to receive the bonus Facebook. She finds her username and password for AOL work on Facebook and is shocked to find that she is looking at her own profile in 15 years. When she tells Josh, her estranged best friend, he finds a profile of himself as well. To say their futures are not what they expected is an understatement. Emma is especially disappointed in her future and vows to make decisions that will permanently change it. Josh is not necessarily disappointed in his future, but a bit confused as to how he gets there. As they begin noticing that little changes affect their future profiles they both need to think hard about what they want in their futures. Can they come to terms with their possible futures or do they want to make big changes that might help them get closer to where they hoped to be?

The relationship between Josh and Emma is complex at best due to the romantic rejection Josh felt when he tried to tell her he wanted to be more than friends. Despite the slight distance that has grown between them they still share a connection, which is why they get so jealous when they see the other person in a romantic relationship. The idea of getting a glimpse of the future is intriguing, especially to teens who are making those big decisions such as where to go to college. The references to 1996 are humorous, even if many are lost on current teenagers. The overall story moves quickly and will engage many young readers. Fans of romance and realistic fiction will enjoy this title.

Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins

Published March 5, 2012 RAC , Realistic Fiction Leave a Comment
Tags: Army, Burma, friendship, teenager, trust, violence

Genre: Realistic Fiction
# of Pages: 270

RAC Book: Yes

Chiko and Tu Reh live very different lives in modern day Burma, but are forced to make tough decisions through circumstances beyond their control. Chiko has always been raised to study and read and therefore does not have the strength or skills to fight in an army. He is forced to be a soldier by his government anyway, however. He must learn quickly what it takes to survive in a far off camp away from everyone and everything he has ever known. Tu Reh remembers when the Burmese soldiers burned down his family’s home and left their village in despair. He is surprised when his father chooses to show an injured soldier mercy and must come to grips with the decision he ultimately decides to make. Can either boy survive to reach adulthood in this war torn country? Will they ever find the strength to make those tough decisions?

This book will feel like a historical fiction book to many students because it can be hard to believe that teenagers their age really live this way in the modern world. That is why it is important for any student reading this book to know that this is what modern day Burma is like. Teenagers are struggling to feed and protect their families and have had to change their ultimate goals in life accordingly. These two characters accurately portray the different cultures that are currently at war in Burma and how young people are in a fight they do not understand. Their motivations, frustrations, and individual feelings are truly illustrated for the reader and will leave the reader with a better understanding of what it is like to be a teenager in Burma at this time. Recommended for class or individual reading assignments. Teachers are encouraged to discuss Burma in some detail with any student who reads this so that he or she can properly understand the accuracy of the depiction.

Scrawl by Mark Shulman

Published February 27, 2012 RAC , Realistic Fiction Leave a Comment
Tags: bully, expectations, friendship, reputation, school discipline

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 234

RAC: Yes

Tod is a bully who has been caught sneaking into school property after hours. His punishment is to go to his counselor’s office each night after school for detention to write in his journal. At first he hates this, but eventually he comes to find it cathartic. His counselor begins to see a whole new side of Tod and finds some answers as to why he acts the way he does at school. He is very honest and smart in his journal and the readers learn a lot about his home and school life. Can Tod find a way to change his ways and survive school without resorting to bullying?

The idea of bullying is a tough issue in any school. This book does not in any way condone bullying, but does offer the suggestion that there may be some underlying causes that vary from student to student. Tod probably opens up a little easier than most students would, but it is still interesting to see how his perspective on the journal changes with each entry. This could be a great class read because it would open up a great discussion of treatment in school by all students as well as the many forms of bullying available, which now definitely includes technological bullying. Recommended for boys and reluctant readers.

In Too Deep by Amanda Grace

Published February 23, 2012 RAC , Realistic Fiction Leave a Comment
Tags: doubt, gossip, lies, rape, rumors

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 228

**Special Review**

Samantha has had a crush on her best friend for as long as she can remember, but since he is unavailable she decides to try and strike up a conversation with Carter at his senior party. Carter is the unofficial king of the high school and everyone loves him. However, when Sam approaches him she is met with embarrassment and ridicule. As she stumbles out of Carter’s room a girl sees her disheveled and crying and comes to the conclusion that Carter raped her. Soon the rumors start flying and Sam is caught unawares until it is too late. At that point several girls come forward and reveal that he has done heinous things to them as well, but never to the point of physical or sexual assault. Sam is unsure how to stop the terrible rumors that everyone was quick to believe and she wonders if she owes it to his previous conquests to keep up the facade. Meanwhile, Sam starts getting threats toward her by the small inner circle that believes Carter’s story. Will Sam reveal that although he was cruel, Carter did not attack her physically? Will Sam be able to face her small town if she comes clean?

This is an almost haunting book because it is so believable. This misunderstanding could easily happen and once the rumors start it can be hard to stop. Carter’s character is deplorable in many ways and he has done terrible things to many girls in the school, but is that a reason to let him suffer for something he didn’t do? The reactions of everyone around Sam are believable and the ending is accurate, which many readers may struggle with. Fans of Thirteen Reasons Why will love the harsh truth and reality of this story and will find themselves thinking about it long after they have finished. However, readers looking for a fun romance should keep looking. Recommended.

Princess of Las Pulgas by C.Lee McKenzie

Published February 15, 2012 RAC , Realistic Fiction Leave a Comment
Tags: bullying, Cancer, death, loss, nickname

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 348

RAC: Yes

Carlie, her mother, and her brother must move from their home after the death of their father/husband due to the mounting medical bills. Not only must they leave their home, school, friends, and neighborhood, but they must move to a rough part of town that is the rival of their old school. When they begin their new life they are all still dealing with the loss of their father/husband and therefore appear disengaged from their daily activities. Carlie in particular is targeted as being standoffish and is criticized for believing she is better than everyone else. Can she ever find a place for herself in this new school? Will she ever find a way to cope with the loss of her father?

This story shows how the death of a loved one can and often does affect every aspect of a teenager’s life. Carlie’s mother is clearly struggling with the loss of her husband, but at the same time is having a difficult time helping her children come to terms with the loss of their father. Carlie’s brother, Keith, and herself handle their new surroundings differently, but the reasons behind their actions are very much the same. Carlie’s perception at her new school clouds her experience and makes her easy fodder for bullies. All in all, a good story about a family coping with death and transition after death.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Published February 6, 2012 RAC , Realistic Fiction , Romance Leave a Comment
Tags: dating, family, friendship, loyalty, Romance, society, truth

Genre: Futuristic Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 487

RAC Book: Yes

Beatrice lives in Chicago in the future where the entire population lives in one of five factions. Each faction focuses on a different virtue: truth, bravery, selflessness, peacefulness, and intelligence. She was born and raised in the Abnegation faction, which focuses on selflessness. At the age of 16 each person is tested to see which faction they are best suited for, but each person is given the free choice to choose where he or she would like to spend adulthood. If Beatrice should choose to leave her faction, however, she will rarely if ever see her family again. When she is tested she finds that she does not fit easily into any faction and therefore has mixed results. She can truly choose any faction she wants. The choice she makes surprises everyone and she worries she has made a mistake. Can she survive initiation in order to feel she is a true member of her faction? Can she trust the society she lives in to create a city she feels is righteous and fair?

There are many futuristic society stories out right now, but this one is a bit different and will appeal to readers who like this style of writing. Beatrice makes some difficult decisions that will affect her future, a topic many young adults can relate to. Meanwhile, there are some unexpected realizations about growing up and seeing the flaws in adults, especially those with power. As Beatrice struggles through initiation she makes new friends and enemies as she lives in a competitive environment. In the end, the story is about society and how people treat each other, which is something young adults must ponder as they reach adulthood. The story has excitement and action and will leave readers wanting more.

Seeing Red by Peter Lancett

Published February 2, 2012 Realistic Fiction Leave a Comment
Tags: Abortion, bullying, cutting, dating, depression, teen pregnancy

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 221

RAC Book: No

Tom lives a very privileged life and frankly is not afraid to show it. His parents are very busy professionals and he finds himself on his own a lot. He loves divulging what labels he’s wearing and how fancy his house is, but he doesn’t have real close friends to discuss real issues with. When he meets Sylvia he thinks she might be the one to finally understand him. She shows him the wonders of cutting and he finds himself going down the same path whenever he has difficulty dealing with an issue in his life. Sylvia is not as invested in the relationship as he is, however, and his ability to cope with the possibility of losing her comes into question.

Tom’s voice is very honest and easy for young adult readers to identify with. Reluctant readers might find it especially easy to engage with him as he says everything he is thinking and does not really care about how it sounds. Tom deals with many difficult issues such as abortion and depression, but it is handled in a way that readers can easily understand. There is some strong language used at times to help Tom describe exactly how the people around him talk. Fans of Ellen Hopkins would like this title, but encourage any reader who gravitates toward titles like this to feel comfortable discussing it with a teacher, librarian, or guidance counselor afterward as some of the material can affect some students more strongly than others.

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Published January 30, 2012 Mystery , RAC , Realistic Fiction , Romance Leave a Comment
Tags: family issues, friendship, Kidnapping, memory loss, trust

Genre: Romance/Realistic Fiction/Mystery

# of Pages: 288

RAC Book: Yes

London suffered a traumatic incident when she was a child and as a result lost her long term memory. She must keep notes of everything because when she goes to sleep her memory is erased and she forgets everything when she wakes up. She does have “flashforwards” that allow her to retrieve memories from the future. She meets a new boy at school and immediately feels a connection, but she has no memory of him in her future. London begins having one recurring vision that terrifies her, especially when she realizes it is actually a memory from her past and not her future. In order to understand her future she must face the past that was so painful her parents decided not to remind her once she had lost her memory. Meanwhile, she must decide if she can trust this new boy or if he is just going to hurt her when he learns the truth about her memory issues.

Stories with characters blocking out painful memories is not new, but this story definitely puts a new twist on it. The reader gets to put the pieces together right along with London to find out what happened to her that caused her memory to rewire itself and also as the clues slowly come out regarding London’s mysterious vision. The story has many twists and turns and more overall character development than it first appears. Recommended for mystery or reluctant readers.

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach

Published January 23, 2012 RAC , Realistic Fiction , Sports Leave a Comment
Tags: abuse, football, mother-son, neglect

Genre: Sports Fiction

# of Pages: 311

RAC Book: Yes

While taking the physical fitness test in his P.E. class, Felton discovers that in less than a year he has grown several inches, gained muscle, and become what he describes as stupid fast. His classmates immediately notice and he is recruited to the track and football teams. Felton is a bit worried about becoming a jock since these were the same people who used to pick on him, but he does like the idea of having an activity to keep him busy. His mother has started to detach from Felton and his younger brother and as time goes on the worse the situation becomes. She stops buying food or taking care of them in any way. Felton distracts himself from the fighting and neglect of his home life by throwing himself into his training, but there is a bully there he must deal with as well. Can he face the difficult home life for the sake of his little brother? Can he overcome everyone’s doubt that he can truly become a great athlete?

Felton’s story is a good sports story for those who like to read about sports. However, there is a lot of focus on his home life and the developing relationship between Felton and a neighborhood girl. The fights between Felton and his mother can get a bit heated at times and some tough language is used, which might turn off some younger readers. The eventual explanation of his mother’s abandonment is unique and satisfying. Recommended for sports and/or reluctant readers.

Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Published January 12, 2012 RAC , Realistic Fiction Leave a Comment
Tags: divorce, family, halfsisters, murder, reputation, scandal, stepsisters

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 248

RAC Book: Yes

Willa hasn’t seen her dad in so long that she does not even remember what he looks like. Her and her mom moved away long ago and her mother remarried. Willa loves her stepdad, but he did come with two kids of his own and since their mother is wealthy they tend to get some perks in life that she simply does not get. Their lives are completely shaken when Willa comes home one day to find frantic messages from a friend of her mother’s back home. She doesn’t understand any of them so she tried to contact her mother and becomes panicked when she is unable to. She calls her stepdad and he assures her that everything will be fine. When they finally locate her mother she learns that her estranged father was missing with one of his daughters and his other two daughters and new wife were all found stabbed to death. The police believe he might be on his way to find her so they are all moved into police protection. Will this news tear her family apart or force truths to come out that they have all been avoiding? Can she ever shake the reputation of being the girl whose father killed his family in a violent rage?

This story moves quickly as Willa tries to uncover the truth behind her father’s actions as well as what he was like. She meets the half brother she never knew she had and mourns the loss of her half sisters. The idea of family becomes a big issue as she is not quite sure which is stronger: blood or situation. She has always been told her mom’s new husband was her family, but as she examines the situation she is not so sure she has really been treated as family. There is also some growing resentment toward her mother for keeping so much about her father’s life a secret. As horrific as the situation with her father is, it also forces her to really examine her life and reevaluate how she wants to continue from here. Teenage readers will enjoy the story and even reluctant readers will struggle to put it down.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Published January 9, 2012 RAC , Realistic Fiction Leave a Comment
Tags: family, foreclosure, friendship, horse race, poverty, water horses

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 407

RAC Book: Yes

The Scorpio race is a difficult race run every November in the small town of Thisby. The races encourage people to ride water horses, horses who emerge from the water and must be caught, in a dangerous race to the finish. Many people die in these races. Sean works for a tyrant who uses him for his talent with these water horses, but manages to keep control of him by refusing to sell Sean his favorite horse, Corr. Sean therefore feels obliged to stay and work in terrible conditions while the boss’s son torments him just to stay by his beloved horse. He has won the race four times and believes he will win again, but the truth is that he hates it. Puck is a young girl who was orphaned along with her two brothers when a water horse killed their parents. She has recently learned that her older brother plans to abandon her and they are about to lose their house. She decides she must ride in the races and win to keep her family together. Can she survive the rough terrain or will she lose everything in this fateful race?

There are many issues at work in this story. First, there is tradition. The races have been run a certain way for a long time and no one wants to see that change. Puck tries to change that not only with the horse she wants to race, but simply the fact that she is female. There are many strange rules involved in this race, but since it has been done a certain way for so long it is considered unthinkable to change anything. This could easily be tied to other traditions or beliefs held in the past that were eventually challenged and changed. Work conditions and poverty are another issue discussed. Both Sean and Puck have difficulty making a life for themselves in Thisby, but this is their home and they cannot imagine leaving. With the economic downturns we have had in the last few years this is also easy to understand and identify with. People simply must do things they do not want to in order to survive. Finally, loyalty is a very big issue. Family loyalty, loyalty to a horse, and loyalty to a town are all discussed. The question becomes what would a person be willing to do in order to remain loyal to someone or something that was important to him or her? The race itself is not as exciting as readers might hope for considering they build up to it for the entire story. The general set up of the race actually takes a slow path, but in the end this book will leave readers with a lot to think about long after they are finished.

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

Published December 19, 2011 RAC , Realistic Fiction 1 Comment
Tags: boarding school, court, dating, justice, rape

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 335

RAC: No

Alex Patrick is date-raped after a night of drinking and partying. She wakes up with no recollection of the night before, but quickly realizes how serious her situation is. Her friends coax the news out of her and convince her that if she was not conscious she could not have consented, but Alex is reluctant to go to police or the boarding school administration because they have failed students on serious issues in the past. She decides to seek the help of the student run justice system called “The Mockingbirds.” They agree to try the case and things get complicated when the accused vehemently denies any wrongdoing and proceeds to spread vicious rumors about her. Alex begins to wonder if she somehow led him on or was at fault in some way. Does she have the strength to stand up for herself?

This book discusses a very serious issue in an open and honest way. Alex’s flashbacks to that night help slowly piece together what happened and shed light on her mixed feelings regarding pressing charges. Her friends and supporters help her overcome obstacles, such as eating in the cafeteria again, and slowly she begins to find the strength she needs. The book is very frank about the nature of the crime and might be upsetting to some students, but it contains an important message and the student justice system is entertaining.

Crossed by Ally Condie

Published December 7, 2011 RAC , Realistic Fiction , Romance 2 Comments
Tags: friendship, futuristic, government control, matched, society, trust

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Romance

# of Pages: 367

RAC Book: Yes

In this sequel to Matched Cassia is trying to find Ky by getting herself sent to the outer provinces as an abberation. Of course, she is an actual citizen, but is willing to jeopardize her citizenship status for true love. Ky has been fighting the attack on the Society for some time and has seen many people die around him. One day he decides to run for his freedom and takes two friends with him. Cassia arrives at the outer provinces to discover that Ky is gone or possibly dead, but she never loses hope. Instead, she tries to follow where she believes he might have gone in the hopes of finding him and the rebel organization fighting the Society. The journey is very difficult and some of the lies she was told by the Society threaten her life out in the wild. Can Ky and Cassie find each other against all odds? If they do find each other will they be able to rekindle the spark they once had or will their future goals pull them apart?

This installment of the story moves very slow and leaves many questions unanswered, which could frustrate the readers. Cassia does learn a few things about Ky’s past and the truth surrounding the attack on the Society that they do not want citizens to know about. However, there are still many things left unmentioned and favorite characters either don’t appear at all or only for short instances. The ending was intriguing, but ambiguous and after the long journey it took to get there readers should expect more. Hopefully readers will be intrigued enough by Cassia’s overall journey to keep reading after this, but the lack of answers in this book might make them question how forthcoming the third book will be with answers.

Young Adult Book Reviews

Archive for the 'Realistic Fiction' Category

Bunheads by Sophie Flack

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins

Scrawl by Mark Shulman

In Too Deep by Amanda Grace

Princess of Las Pulgas by C.Lee McKenzie

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Seeing Red by Peter Lancett

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach

Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

Crossed by Ally Condie

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