Realistic Fiction (Authors M - Y) - Books for Middle School Readers - Tate Library at Ethical Culture Fieldston School

Marsh, Katherine

Nowhere Boy
This realistic, suspenseful novel focuses on the friendship of two boys who are both living in Belgium: Ahmed, a Syrian refugee struggling on his own; and Max, who is homesick for Washington DC. The novel addresses issues including immigration, Islamophobia, and terrorism.

Oseman, Alice

Loveless by Alice Oseman
A funny, honest, messy, completely relatable story of a girl who realizes that love can be found in many ways that don't involve sex or romance. From the marvelous author of Heartstopper comes an exceptional YA novel about discovering that it's okay if you don't have sexual or romantic feelings for anyone . . . since there are plenty of other ways to find love and connection.
Heartstopper #1: a Graphic Novel by Alice Oseman
Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. A sweet and charming coming-of-age story that explores friendship, love, and coming out.

Perkins, Stephanie

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
'Very romantic. You should date this book.' Maureen Johnson, 'Anna and the French Kiss charms readers with its Parisian setting and a tres bein boy.' MTV.com 'Magical . . . really captures the feeling of being in love.' Cassandra Clare,
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
'Another unputdownable read from Stephanie, who clearly excels at imagining teens that are anything but caricatures.'
Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
"This adorable YA romance is half New York love story, half Parisian romance, and fully prepared to make your heart melt quicker than a gelato dropped on a sidewalk."--MTV.com

Quick, Matthew

Boy21
In this realistic novel, the basketball coach asks Finley to help newcomer Russ, an exceptional high school basketball player who now refuses to play at all and calls himself "Boy21." Can Finley help Ross? And is it possible that Russ could also help Finley?

** Sanchez, Erika L.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
In this realistic novel, Julia, grieving over her sister's death, searches for the truth about her sister, about herself, and about who she wants to be in her family and in the world.

Stone, Nic

Jackpot
This realistic mystery-novel tells the story of Rico, a teenge girl who works as a cashier and may have just sold a winning lottery ticket. She and her wildly rich classmate Zan embark on an adventure to try to hunt down the ticket-winner, who might not realize she won. Themes include class, privilege, family responsibility, friendship, and love. See also Stone's other realistic fiction, including...
Dear Martin
Dear Justyce

Thomas, Angie

The Hate U Give
In this realistic novel, Starr witnesses the death of her friend Khalil at the hands of police. This book has themes of social justice, racism, and class as well as the importance of friends and family. We also recommend Thomas's second book
On the Come Up
Concrete Rose

* Mass, Wendy

A Mango-Shaped Space
In this realistic novel, Mia struggles with synesthesia, a rare condition in which letters numbers, and sounds all have colors. we also recommend other books by Mass including...
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

Rowell, Rainbow

Eleanor and Park
This realistic novel follows the friendship and first love of two misfits over the course of one school year. If you love John Green, you might also love Rainbow Rowell. We also recommend Rowell's...
Fangirl
Carry On
Attachments

* Senzai, N. H.

Shooting Kabul
Based partly on a true story, this realistic novel introduces Fadi as he desperately searches for his missing sister left behind in Afghanistan.

Stork, Francisco X.

Marcelo in the Real World
This realistic coming-of-age novel tells the story of Marcelo, who is on the autism spectrum and hears music no one else hears. Marcelo faces significant challenges and must learn to appreciate is own strengths and stretch himself as he figures out how he wants to be in the world.

Watson, Renee & Hagan, Ellen

Watch Us Rise
In this realistic novel, two high school girls take a stand for women's rights with their blog "Write Like a Girl." This book deals with social justice issues including gender inequality, racial stereotyping, and body-shaming. Watson is also the author of

Nijkamp, Marieke

Unbroken
This story collection explores disability in fictional tales told from the viewpoint of disabled characters, written by disabled creators. The stories span many genres, from love to friendship to war to travel.

Saenz, Benjamin

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
This realistic novel about love, family, and friendship themes focuses on two boys and how, together, they discover truths about themselves.

* Smith, Roland

Peak series
This action-packed adventure novel follows 14-year-old Peak as he attempts to scale Mount Everest and deal with other challenges in his life. See also Smith's other exciting series :
IQ series
Zach's Lie
Cryptid Hunters

Strasser, Todd

The Wave
This novel is based on the true story of a California high school class whose teacher conducted a classroom experiment to help his students understand how the Nazis came to power.

* Woodson, Jacqueline

Harbor Me
In this realistic novel, six characters tell their own - and their shared - stories in their own voices in the "ART" room (A Room to Talk) at school. See also Woodson's other novels-in-verse, including
Locomotion
Woodson's books deal with themes of identity and social justice.

** Ng, Celeste

Everything I Never Told You
This realistic novel tells the story of a Chinese-American family living in Ohio. When the middle child's body is found, her family tries to figure out what happened, in this emotionally intense portrayal of the complexity of family relationships. See also Ng's
Little Fires Everywhere

** Salinger, J. D.

The Catcher in the Rye
In this classic coming-of-age novel, 16-year-old Holden Caulfield recounts what happens when he is expelled from boarding school and makes his way back to his home in NYC, learning about himself and the world in the process.

* Stead, Rebecca

Goodbye Stranger
This realistic novel with some mystery mixed in follows three girls as they start seventh grade and navigate issues including social media, friendship, and dating. We also recommend other books by Stead, including...
Liar and Spy
When You Reach Me

** Tan, Amy

The Joy Luck Club
In this realistic novel, seven Chinese mothers and daughters speak in their own voices to tell the stories that have made up their lives - from China to San Francisco

Yoon, Nicola

The Sun Is Also a Star
This novel told from multiple perspectives focuses on Natasha, whose family is about to be deported back to Jamaica, and Daniel, whose Korean-American parents have a specific plan for him. the two teens spend one day together that will change both of their lives. See also Yoon's
Everything Everything
a realistic novel told through diary entries, illustrations and more

Books for Middle School Readers: Realistic Fiction (Authors M - Y)

Marsh, Katherine

Oseman, Alice

Perkins, Stephanie

Quick, Matthew

** Sanchez, Erika L.

Stone, Nic

Thomas, Angie

* Mass, Wendy

Rowell, Rainbow

* Senzai, N. H.

Stork, Francisco X.

Watson, Renee & Hagan, Ellen

Nijkamp, Marieke

Saenz, Benjamin

* Smith, Roland

Strasser, Todd

* Woodson, Jacqueline

** Ng, Celeste

** Salinger, J. D.

* Stead, Rebecca

** Tan, Amy

Yoon, Nicola