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The elements of a story | Reading | Khan Academy

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Realistic fiction is a powerful way to help young readers gain a deeper understanding of real-world challenges and relationships. It's also a great way to let kids see themselves in, and empathize with, characters in similar circumstances to them. The best contemporary realistic fiction books spark imagination while giving kids a realistic glimpse into different aspects of what it means to be human.

From picture books and graphic novels to audiobooks and chapter books, check out our favorite realistic fiction books for kids below!

Realistic Fiction Books for Kids on Epic

By: Jerry Spinelli

Illustrated by: Larry Day

Ages: 3-7

By: Jerry Spinelli

Ages: 6-9

By: Ellen Levine

Ages: 6-11

By: Beverly Cleary

Illustrated by: Jacqueline Rogers

Ages: 7-9

By: Kashmira Sheth

Illustrated by: Jenn Kocsmiersky

Ages: 7-10

By: Elizabeth Doyle Carey

Ages: 8-12

By: Sarah Weeks, Gita Varadarajan

Ages: 8-12

By: Kerry O'Malley Cerra

Ages: 9-12

By: Ann M. Martin

Ages: 9-12

Other Recommendations

Like our list of realistic fiction books for kids? Check out a few more of our picks, all available on Amazon.

Because of Winn-Dixie

By: Kate DiCamillo

One summer's day, 10-year-old India Opal Buloni comes home with a dog that she names Winn-Dixie. But Winn-Dixie's no ordinary dog. It's because of Winn-Dixie that Opal starts making new friends. It's because of Winn-Dixie that she finally asks her father about her mother, who left when she was little. Just about everything that happens this summer is because of Winn-Dixie in this charming book by Kate DiCamillo.

Dead End in Norvelt

By: Jack Gantos

In this imaginative piece of historical fiction, young Jack Gantos has big plans for an exciting summer. But his plans come to a screeching halt when he's grounded "for life." He's in for more excitement than he thinks, though, when he's ordered to help an elderly neighbor with an odd task-writing obituaries. Flowing from surreal to slightly off kilter, to laugh-out-loud funny, the story follows Jack on a strange adventure involving molten wax, a homemade airplane, a man on a trike, a dancing plague, Hells Angels and other unexpected things.

Wonder

R.J. Palacio

Fifth-grade Auggie Pullman is an ordinary kid with an extraordinary face. So going from being homeschooled to a mainstream public school for the first time won't be easy. He just wants to be treated like everyone else, but it's hard for his classmates to get past his abnormal facial features. This critically acclaimed graphic novel will teach your kid the importance of empathy, compassion and appreciating one another's differences.

Troublemaker

By: Andrew Clements

Principal Kelling' has a folder that's as fat as a phonebook, and always growing. This is because every time Clayton breaks the rules, a new incident report gets added to the stack. But when he decides it's time to change his ways, he finds it harder than expected to shake his troublemaking reputation. Your kid will chuckle at this good-humored book about the difference between harmless mischief and dangerous behavior.

That's our list of best realistic fiction books for kids! Did you enjoy these children's book picks? Check out our post: " Best Books to Read Online."

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Best Realistic Fiction Books for Kids | Books for all ages | Epic

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Realistic fiction is a powerful way to help young readers gain a deeper understanding of real-world challenges and relationships. It's also a great way to let kids see themselves in, and empathize with, characters in similar circumstances to them.

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In this guide, you can discover what the realistic fiction genre is and how you can identify whether a story fits into this genre.

What does realistic fiction mean for kids?

Realistic fiction is a genre of stories where the events are made up, but they could easily happen in real life. These kinds of stories take place in familiar, everyday settings and have ordinary characters. They aim to represent real life.

Unlike fantasy or science fiction, realistic fiction features normal people and normal places - there are no fire-breathing dragons or adventures alongside aliens in outer space.

Instead, realistic fiction focuses on conflicts and problems that any person might face in their life. For example, it might be about losing old friends and making new ones, moving to a new and unfamiliar place or winning a sports competition. Whatever the story's about, it shows our world and our society.

What are the characteristics of realistic fiction?

There are certain characteristics of a story that tell us what genre it is - so there are characteristics that tell us whether a story fits in the realistic fiction genre.

Events

The events that unfold are events that might happen in real life.

Themes

The themes make the reader think about things that they face in everyday life.

If the story you're reading (or writing!) has these characteristics, then it's most likely realistic fiction.

Examples of realistic fiction for kids

'Wonder' tells the story of a young boy named August Pullman ('Auggie') who's going to school for the first time. He has a facial difference that prevented him from going to a mainstream school, but now he can. He wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary child.

The story features realistic characters with real issues that people might face in the real world. It's also set in the real setting of a school in America.

'Bridge to Terabithia' by Katherine Paterson

This children's novel is about two lonely children who create a magical forest together - but it's all in their imagination. The story explores the realistic themes of friendship, loss and loneliness.

Fitting with the realistic fiction genre, the characters are realistic and face real problems. The setting is also realistic - a town in America.

Further Realistic Fiction Examples

Holes by Louis Sachar

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Don't Forget Me, Nana Phoebe by Twinkl Originals

Dipal's Diwali by Twinkl Originals

What makes good realistic fiction?

A good realistic fiction story is believable. The characters should be authentic and relatable, perhaps having just as many weaknesses as they do strengths.

The problems the characters face should also be ordinary and realistic - issues that anyone could encounter during their life. The way that these problems are dealt with should also be realistic, not exaggerated or blown out of proportion.

Just like other genres of fiction, themes are also important for realistic fiction. Some of the most common themes of realistic fiction are friendship, love, school, growing up and family. These should be woven into the story's plot and characters.

How do you teach realistic fiction?

Here are some tips for teaching realistic fiction to your class:
1. Explore the characteristics
First, you should explore how characters, setting, plot and themes work in realistic fiction. What are the characters like? What should the setting be? What themes are usually written about in this genre?

This will help to give an overview of the genre and show your class what to expect when you start reading a realistic fiction book.
2. Analyse short realistic fiction
Once your pupils are familiar with the genre, it's time to start reading! You could start with an extract or short story that fits within the genre. Ask your pupils about the characters, setting, plot and themes. What makes it realistic? Do they think the events could happen in real life?
3. Write realistic fiction
A great way for your pupils to consolidate their learning is to have a go at writing some realistic fiction for themselves. After learning about the different elements of the genre and taking a closer look at them in an extract or short story, they should be ready to use what they've learnt to write their own realistic fiction.
4. Use some of Twinkl's resources!
To help inspire you and make your teaching life easier, Twinkl has a range of resources to support your teaching on this topic. Take a look at these:

These resources can help you and your class to explore story, settings, characters and more in realistic fiction.

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Realistic Fiction | Twinkl Teaching Wiki

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In this guide, you can discover what the realistic fiction genre is and how you can identify whether a story fits into this genre. Realistic fiction is a genre of stories where the events are made up, but they could easily happen in real life.

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Getting Started with Writing Realistic Fiction

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Getting Started with Writing Realistic Fiction

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Realistic Fiction Writing for Kids Episode 1: What Is It?

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Characteristics of Good Realistic Fiction

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Characteristics of Good Realistic Fiction

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Fiction Book Genres - What Is Realistic Fiction

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Sight Words, Reading, Writing, Spelling & Worksheets

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Realistic fiction is a story written about events that did not actually happen but could have happened; the people, events and places may be real. It is a classification of literature containing stories that could actually happen, in a time and setting that is plausible and contains realistic characters.

Characteristics of Realistic Fiction

Realistic fiction is created from the author's imagination but uses historical events. The following are characteristics of realistic fiction.

Setting is an accurate portrayal of the world as we know it. The setting could exist; it is a vivid and accurate depiction.

It contains believable stories as the writer uses everyday occurrences and/or extreme realism; the story is not true but it could be.

Everyday language is present. The author uses a dialogue that makes the characters seem genuine.

The plot contains conflict or tension as well as a resolution.

The problems are realistic, e.g., problems of self, family or nature.

The solution is believable as a result of the characters actions.

The themes depict realistic experiences that the author wants the reader to understand, e.g., a message about people, life, nature or the world.

The characters are human beings who behave in realistic ways.

The characters use realistic dialogue that makes them appear real.

The narrative structure and elements are presented in a time ordered sequence.

Realistic Fiction Concept Map

Our school handed out this concept map to help students visualize the characteristics of realistic fiction. It offers some helpful notes regarding characters, setting, problems, solution and theme. Click on the image to obtain a PDF file.

Source: Rachel Carson Elementary School Handout, Montgomery County, MD

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Realistic fiction is a story written about events that did not actually happen but could have happened; the people, events and places may be real. It is a classification of literature containing stories that could actually happen, in a time and setting that is plausible and contains realistic characters.