Tween

Let’s Get Real: 21 Realistic Fiction Books for Kids Ages 9 – 12

by Janssen Bradshaw

Although there’s no denying the draw of magical powers or mystical beasts, realistic fiction holds a significant space in every young reader’s heart.

Books that reflect the world you live in have their own magic for children and teens — whether they’re about playing sports, dealing with family difficulties, navigating friendships, or overcoming a personal challenge.

This reading list of realistic fiction books for tweens has adventures in the classroom, challenges on the field, stories of home life, and much more. No matter what your tween reader is looking for, this list has several fantastic options!

Starfish

Starfish

by Lisa Fipps

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Ellie is a young girl who tries to fly under the radar and avoid her bullies at school and home. Her size makes it difficult, but Ellie learns to love herself with help from her dad, a friend, and a therapist. This beautiful story is needed now more than ever!

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Eb & Flow

Eb & Flow

by Kelly J. Baptist

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This poignant novel-in-verse introduces readers to two tweens from single-parent homes who deal with plenty of struggles in their daily lives. Eb and Flow get suspended after getting into a fight at school. The story follows both kids as they navigate their lives outside school and form an unlikely friendship.

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Doodles From the Boogie Down

Doodles From the Boogie Down

by Stephanie Rodriguez

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This heartfelt graphic novel combines an aspiring artist, a big dream, and a whopping lie. When her mother disapproves of Steph attending an arts-focused public high school in Manhattan, she applies anyway. But as her lies get more extensive, Steph quickly realizes that keeping her secret hidden isn’t a long-term solution. Young readers with big dreams will enjoy this semi-autobiographical tale.

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Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls

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This is one of my favorite read-aloud books. Billy has always wanted a dog and spends years saving enough money to buy not just one but two hunting dogs. He and the dogs spend nearly every night hunting in the Ozark woods, and the bond between them becomes unbreakable. Get your tissues ready for this one.

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The Many Masks of Andy Zhou

The Many Masks of Andy Zhou

by Jack Cheng

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Andy is a middle schooler who tries to please friends, family, and classmates by putting on a metaphorical mask for each group. So when his many identities pull him in different directions, Andy learns to set aside the masks and be himself. This beautiful story from the author of See You in the Cosmos explores identity, authenticity, and the courage to be true to yourself.

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Fast Pitch

Fast Pitch

by Nic Stone

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Shenice is a proud member of the softball team, Fulton Firebirds. For her, softball is everything. But real life interferes when her uncle reveals a long-held family secret. Shenice struggles to keep her head in the game while trying to unravel her family’s complex history.

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Amelia Gray Is Almost Okay

Amelia Gray Is Almost Okay

by Jessica Brody

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Tweens who have ever reinvented themselves to fit in will love this charming novel from the author of I Speak Boy. Amelia and her dad have moved so often that she never had to make friends or deal with drama. So when they settle down in their new town, Amelia must learn to navigate the murky friendship waters of middle school.

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Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

by Judy Blume

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The incredibly famous series about Fudge, Peter, and Sheila starts with Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Peter’s relationship with his little brother, Fudge, defines sibling rivalry better than the dictionary. Peter gets irritated with Fudge’s constant antics, but everyone else thinks they’re cute. What makes it even worse? Peter and Fudge share a bedroom. This hilarious series is fun for any reader!

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Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends

Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends

by Francine Pascal, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre

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The Sweet Valley Twins make their graphic novel debut in this full-color book! Jessica and Elizabeth are headed to middle school. They’ve always been best friends, but will their friendship survive their diverging interests and the drama of the school year? Tween readers love this relatable and highly readable graphic novel!

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Because of Mr. Terupt

Because of Mr. Terupt

by Rob Buyea

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The school year has just begun, and seven 5th-grade students with nothing in common end up in Mr. Terupt’s class. The students each tell the story of how their teacher makes the classroom a place they all look forward to. And then, an accident happens that puts their newfound friendships to the test.

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Any Day with You

Any Day with You

by Mae Respicio

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Kaia loves everything about making movies. The makeup, special effects, and how actors transform into characters. At home, she lives with her parents and her beloved great-grandpa, Tatang. Her world gets flipped upside down when Tatang wants to move back home to the Philippines. Can Kaia convince him to stay with her short movie about Filipino folktales?

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When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me

by Rebecca Stead

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Middle school is already challenging, but when Miranda has a falling out with her best friend, it seems things can’t get worse — until they do. Miranda starts receiving anonymous notes with mysterious instructions she must keep secret. She wants to ignore the messages, but that becomes impossible when they predict someone’s death.

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Tight

Tight

by Torrey Maldonado

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When Bryan starts doing crazy activities with his new friend Mike, he feels excited — these adventures give him a rush. But as their stunts lead to trouble, Bryan’s chest feels tight, and he knows he needs to change. Can Bryan figure out a way to keep his friend and stand up for what he feels is right?

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Fish in a Tree

Fish in a Tree

by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

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Ally is dyslexic and secretly doesn’t know how to read. She distracts her teachers from noticing by getting into trouble, and she’s terrified someone will discover her secret. But her new teacher, Mr. Daniels, sees through her antics and gets to the heart of the issue. Mr. Daniels teaches her how to overcome this challenge and have confidence in herself.

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Two-Minute Drill

Two-Minute Drill

by Mike Lupica

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Chris Conlan is the stereotypical popular kid in school — a star quarterback with tons of friends who want to be just like him. But when Chris’s path crosses Scott Parry’s, the most intelligent and least athletic kid in school, they realize they have more in common than they thought.

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Things Not Seen

Things Not Seen

by Andrew Clements

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Can you imagine a life where you suddenly become invisible? That’s what happens to 15-year-old Bobby. With no explanation for why this condition occurred, Bobby becomes a missing person. Then he meets a blind girl named Alicia, who might be the key to making him visible again.

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There's A Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

There's A Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

by Louis Sachar

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The author of the best-selling book, Holes, releases a brand new cover on There’s A Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom! Bradley Chalkers is the toughest kid in school. He lies to everyone, picks fights, and is an all-around troublemaker. But then he meets the new school counselor, who sees the good in him. Will Bradley change his ways and his reputation?

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The Penderwicks

The Penderwicks

by Jeanne Birdsall

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This National Book Award winner is the first book in a series that your child will love. The four Penderwick sisters head to the Arundel estate for a summer holiday. There, the girls team up with Jeffrey, the estate owner’s son, and spend their days exploring and going on adventures. This series is hilarious, fun, and can be read on repeat.

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Stand Up, Yumi Chung!

Stand Up, Yumi Chung!

by Jessica Kim

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Yumi Chung leads a double life. She is painfully shy at school and gets teased for smelling like her family’s Korean BBQ restaurant. However, Yumi is ready to take the stage as a stand-up comedian, using her horrifying memories as the perfect comedy sketch. When a mix-up offers her the chance to live her dreams, she must decide what's more important — internet fame or her integrity.

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Scat

Scat

by Carl Hiaasen

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Mrs. Starch is the most despised biology teacher in the entire school, so no one gets upset when she vanishes after a field trip to the swamp. The principal tries to convince everyone she had a “family emergency,” but the kids know better. Nick and Marta realize it’s up to them to piece together what happened to their horrid teacher and find her before it’s too late. This hysterical mystery will keep your kids on their toes!

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The River

The River

by Gary Paulsen

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In this sequel to the bestselling classic novel Hatchet, Brian returns to the wilderness for another survival adventure. This time, Brian has a psychologist companion who gets knocked out by an unexpected storm. Brian must build a raft and get himself and Derek to safety — 100 miles down the river.

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2023.