Best Realistic Fiction Books | Summaries & Audio

Realistic Fiction Book Summaries

The Thing About Jellyfish

by Ali Benjamin • 2015

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

4.10

45k+

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

The Thing About Jellyfish

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

by Ali Benjamin 2015 343 pages

4.10

45k+ ratings

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

How to Make Friends with the Dark

by Kathleen Glasgow • 2019

After her mother dies, a teen in foster care must trust a half-sister she's never met.

4.07

42k+

🖤 Grief And Loss 🏠 Foster Care 👩‍👧 Mother-Daughter Bond 👭 Sister Bond 🤝 Found Family

How to Make Friends with the Dark

After her mother dies, a teen in foster care must trust a half-sister she's never met.

by Kathleen Glasgow 2019 421 pages

4.07

42k+ ratings

🖤 Grief And Loss 🏠 Foster Care 👩‍👧 Mother-Daughter Bond 👭 Sister Bond 🤝 Found Family

Drama

by Raina Telgemeier • 2012

She can't sing, so she designs sets. Two brothers bring romantic chaos to the stage crew.

4.18

100k+

🎭 Theater Kids 💕 Love Triangle 🌈 Queer Crush 🆕 New Kid At School 🎪 Backstage Chaos

Drama

She can't sing, so she designs sets. Two brothers bring romantic chaos to the stage crew.

by Raina Telgemeier 2012 238 pages

4.18

100k+ ratings

🎭 Theater Kids 💕 Love Triangle 🌈 Queer Crush 🆕 New Kid At School 🎪 Backstage Chaos

Because of Mr. Terupt

by Rob Buyea • 2010

A new teacher's warmth draws seven guarded fifth graders into a classroom that feels like family.

4.35

46k+

🏫 School Story 🗣️ Multiple Narrators 👨‍🏫 Inspirational Teacher 🤝 Classroom Community 💗 Bully Redemption

Because of Mr. Terupt

A new teacher's warmth draws seven guarded fifth graders into a classroom that feels like family.

by Rob Buyea 2010 269 pages

4.35

46k+ ratings

🏫 School Story 🗣️ Multiple Narrators 👨‍🏫 Inspirational Teacher 🤝 Classroom Community 💗 Bully Redemption

Notes from the Midnight Driver

by Jordan Sonnenblick • 2006

A sixteen-year-old's drunken crash earns him a hundred hours with a hostile, jazz-obsessed old man.

4.05

9k+

🫂 Intergenerational Bond ⚖️ Community Service 🏥 Nursing Home 🎶 Music Heals 💕 Friends To Lovers

Notes from the Midnight Driver

A sixteen-year-old's drunken crash earns him a hundred hours with a hostile, jazz-obsessed old man.

by Jordan Sonnenblick 2006 265 pages

4.05

9k+ ratings

🫂 Intergenerational Bond ⚖️ Community Service 🏥 Nursing Home 🎶 Music Heals 💕 Friends To Lovers

The Labors of Hercules Beal

by Gary D. Schmidt • 2023

A grieving boy named Hercules is assigned the hero's twelve labors as a seventh-grade project.

4.48

7k+

🏫 School Project Story 💔 Loss Of Parents 📚 Mentor Teacher 🏘️ Small Town 🐕 Boy And His Dog

The Labors of Hercules Beal

A grieving boy named Hercules is assigned the hero's twelve labors as a seventh-grade project.

by Gary D. Schmidt 2023 352 pages

4.48

7k+ ratings

🏫 School Project Story 💔 Loss Of Parents 📚 Mentor Teacher 🏘️ Small Town 🐕 Boy And His Dog

Turtles All the Way Down

by John Green • 2017

She spirals. A missing billionaire, his son, and a reward pull her into the world.

3.87

600k+

🌀 Ocd Representation 💚 Mental Health Recovery 🕵️ Amateur Mystery 🏰 Billionaire Family 💔 Bittersweet Romance

Turtles All the Way Down

She spirals. A missing billionaire, his son, and a reward pull her into the world.

by John Green 2017 290 pages

3.87

600k+ ratings

🌀 Ocd Representation 💚 Mental Health Recovery 🕵️ Amateur Mystery 🏰 Billionaire Family 💔 Bittersweet Romance

Where She Went

by Gayle Forman • 2011

After her concert, a rock star and his cellist ex face the love and loss that tore them apart.

3.97

300k+

🎸 Rock Star Romance 🎻 Classical Music Fiction 💔 Second Chance Romance 🖤 Grief And Healing 😩 Angsty Romance

Where She Went

After her concert, a rock star and his cellist ex face the love and loss that tore them apart.

by Gayle Forman 2011 264 pages

3.97

300k+ ratings

🎸 Rock Star Romance 🎻 Classical Music Fiction 💔 Second Chance Romance 🖤 Grief And Healing 😩 Angsty Romance

Auggie & Me

by R.J. Palacio • 2015

How three kids from Auggie's world confront the hardest thing of all: their own mistakes.

4.27

41k+

📖 Short Story Collection 📘 Companion Novel 🔄 Bully Redemption ❤️ Learning Empathy 👀 Differing Perspectives

Auggie & Me

How three kids from Auggie's world confront the hardest thing of all: their own mistakes.

by R.J. Palacio 2015 303 pages

4.27

41k+ ratings

📖 Short Story Collection 📘 Companion Novel 🔄 Bully Redemption ❤️ Learning Empathy 👀 Differing Perspectives

The Dreamer

by Pam Muñoz Ryan • 2010

Neftalí collects beetles and scribbles poems in secret. His father demands a practical son.

3.98

7k+

🎵 Lyrical Middle Grade ✍️ Childhood Of A Poet 👨 Stern Father Figure 🌿 Nature As Refuge 🌙 Quiet And Introspective

The Dreamer

Neftalí collects beetles and scribbles poems in secret. His father demands a practical son.

by Pam Muñoz Ryan 2010 384 pages

3.98

7k+ ratings

🎵 Lyrical Middle Grade ✍️ Childhood Of A Poet 👨 Stern Father Figure 🌿 Nature As Refuge 🌙 Quiet And Introspective

Paper Towns

by John Green • 2008

His neighbor vanishes after one wild night, leaving a trail of clues through abandoned subdivisions.

3.70

1.5M+

📚 Literary YA 🔍 Missing Girl Mystery 🏡 Suburban Coming-Of-Age 💭 Idealized Love 🚗 Road Trip Adventure

Paper Towns

His neighbor vanishes after one wild night, leaving a trail of clues through abandoned subdivisions.

by John Green 2008 305 pages

3.70

1.5M+ ratings

📚 Literary YA 🔍 Missing Girl Mystery 🏡 Suburban Coming-Of-Age 💭 Idealized Love 🚗 Road Trip Adventure

The Last Straw

by Jeff Kinney • 2009

Greg Heffley faces military school unless he can prove he's tough enough to stay.

4.14

100k+

📔 Diary Novel ✏️ Illustrated Middle Grade 😬 Cringe Comedy 🏡 Suburban America 📚 Reluctant Readers

The Last Straw

Greg Heffley faces military school unless he can prove he's tough enough to stay.

by Jeff Kinney 2009 218 pages

4.14

100k+ ratings

📔 Diary Novel ✏️ Illustrated Middle Grade 😬 Cringe Comedy 🏡 Suburban America 📚 Reluctant Readers

Boys Don't Cry

by Malorie Blackman • 2010

On exam results day, his ex arrives with a baby he never knew existed, then disappears.

4.04

11k+

🍼 Teen Parenthood 🏳️‍🌈 Hate Crime Survival 💪 Challenging Masculinity 🇬🇧 Contemporary London 👥 Sibling Bond

Boys Don't Cry

On exam results day, his ex arrives with a baby he never knew existed, then disappears.

by Malorie Blackman 2010 302 pages

4.04

11k+ ratings

🍼 Teen Parenthood 🏳️‍🌈 Hate Crime Survival 💪 Challenging Masculinity 🇬🇧 Contemporary London 👥 Sibling Bond

Walk Two Moons

by Sharon Creech • 1994

Driving west with her grandparents, a girl tells the story of a friend whose mother disappeared.

4.00

100k+

🚗 Grandparent Road Trip 👩‍👧 Mother Daughter Bond 📝 Mysterious Notes 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🕰️ Frame Story

Walk Two Moons

Driving west with her grandparents, a girl tells the story of a friend whose mother disappeared.

by Sharon Creech 1994 280 pages

4.00

100k+ ratings

🚗 Grandparent Road Trip 👩‍👧 Mother Daughter Bond 📝 Mysterious Notes 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🕰️ Frame Story

Dog Days

by Jeff Kinney • 2009

Greg Heffley just wants an air-conditioned summer of video games, but his mom has outdoor plans.

4.17

100k+

📖 Diary Format ☀️ Summer Vacation 👦👦 Sibling Rivalry 👨👦 Father-Son Tension 💘 Awkward Crush

Dog Days

Greg Heffley just wants an air-conditioned summer of video games, but his mom has outdoor plans.

by Jeff Kinney 2009 218 pages

4.17

100k+ ratings

📖 Diary Format ☀️ Summer Vacation 👦👦 Sibling Rivalry 👨👦 Father-Son Tension 💘 Awkward Crush

Internment

by Samira Ahmed • 2019

A Muslim teen writes from inside an internment camp, risking all to expose the truth.

3.86

20k+

🏚️ Dystopian America 📹 Surveillance State ❤️ Interfaith Romance ✍️ Writing As Resistance ✊ Nonviolent Resistance

Internment

A Muslim teen writes from inside an internment camp, risking all to expose the truth.

by Samira Ahmed 2019 386 pages

3.86

20k+ ratings

🏚️ Dystopian America 📹 Surveillance State ❤️ Interfaith Romance ✍️ Writing As Resistance ✊ Nonviolent Resistance

No Fixed Address

by Susin Nielsen • 2018

A twelve-year-old trivia whiz hides his homelessness, but a game show could unravel his secret.

4.22

5k+

🚐 Hidden Homelessness 🧠 Parental Depression 🤫 Family Secrets 👥 Friendship Trio ✨ Quirky Narrator

No Fixed Address

A twelve-year-old trivia whiz hides his homelessness, but a game show could unravel his secret.

by Susin Nielsen 2018 288 pages

4.22

5k+ ratings

🚐 Hidden Homelessness 🧠 Parental Depression 🤫 Family Secrets 👥 Friendship Trio ✨ Quirky Narrator

No Brainer

by Jeff Kinney • 2023

His school might close, so Greg Heffley runs for president on pizza promises and zero plans.

4.27

13k+

🏫 Middle School Comedy 🗳️ School Election 🤪 Bumbling Protagonist 🎭 Lighthearted Satire 🌀 Comic Chaos

No Brainer

His school might close, so Greg Heffley runs for president on pizza promises and zero plans.

by Jeff Kinney 2023 224 pages

4.27

13k+ ratings

🏫 Middle School Comedy 🗳️ School Election 🤪 Bumbling Protagonist 🎭 Lighthearted Satire 🌀 Comic Chaos

Mexican WhiteBoy

by Matt de la Peña • 2008

Half-Mexican, can't speak Spanish, he spends a summer in his father's barrio, looking for home.

3.85

5k+

🌗 Biracial Identity 👤 Absent Father 🤝 Unlikely Friendship ⚾ Baseball Fiction 🌴 Southern California

Mexican WhiteBoy

Half-Mexican, can't speak Spanish, he spends a summer in his father's barrio, looking for home.

by Matt de la Peña 2008 256 pages

3.85

5k+ ratings

🌗 Biracial Identity 👤 Absent Father 🤝 Unlikely Friendship ⚾ Baseball Fiction 🌴 Southern California

Kira-Kira

by Cynthia Kadohata • 2004

Katie's sister taught her the world could shimmer. Lymphoma tests whether she can still see it.

3.98

28k+

💔 Terminal Illness 👭 Sisterly Bond 🫂 Young Caregiver 🏡 Immigrant Family Saga 🌅 Grief And Healing

Kira-Kira

Katie's sister taught her the world could shimmer. Lymphoma tests whether she can still see it.

by Cynthia Kadohata 2004 291 pages

3.98

28k+ ratings

💔 Terminal Illness 👭 Sisterly Bond 🫂 Young Caregiver 🏡 Immigrant Family Saga 🌅 Grief And Healing

As Brave As You

by Jason Reynolds • 2016

A city kid's summer uncovers his blind grandfather's secrets and a family's definition of bravery.

4.05

8k+

🏙️ City To Country 👴👦 Grandparent Bond 👨‍🦯 Blind Grandparent 🤫 Family Secrets 💪 Quiet Bravery

As Brave As You

A city kid's summer uncovers his blind grandfather's secrets and a family's definition of bravery.

by Jason Reynolds 2016 410 pages

4.05

8k+ ratings

🏙️ City To Country 👴👦 Grandparent Bond 👨‍🦯 Blind Grandparent 🤫 Family Secrets 💪 Quiet Bravery

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

by Ann Brashares • 2001

Four friends, one summer apart, and a mysterious pair of jeans that connects them all.

3.85

700k+

☀️ Summer Coming Of Age 👯 Female Friendship 💕 First Love 💔 Grief And Loss ✨ Light Magical Realism

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Four friends, one summer apart, and a mysterious pair of jeans that connects them all.

by Ann Brashares 2001 294 pages

3.85

700k+ ratings

☀️ Summer Coming Of Age 👯 Female Friendship 💕 First Love 💔 Grief And Loss ✨ Light Magical Realism

If You Come Softly

by Jacqueline Woodson • 1998

White girl, Black boy, Manhattan prep school. Falling in love is the easy part.

4.03

12k+

💕 Interracial First Love 🖋️ Literary Ya 📼 1990s Coming Of Age 🏫 Private School 🗽 New York City

If You Come Softly

White girl, Black boy, Manhattan prep school. Falling in love is the easy part.

by Jacqueline Woodson 1998 181 pages

4.03

12k+ ratings

💕 Interracial First Love 🖋️ Literary Ya 📼 1990s Coming Of Age 🏫 Private School 🗽 New York City

Rebound

by Kwame Alexander • 2018

His father dies. Sent to his grandparents, a boy discovers basketball and a path through loss.

4.30

14k+

📖 Novel In Verse 🏀 Sports Fiction 👴 Grandparent Summer 🕊️ Loss Of A Parent 🖤 Black Boyhood

Rebound

His father dies. Sent to his grandparents, a boy discovers basketball and a path through loss.

by Kwame Alexander 2018 416 pages

4.30

14k+ ratings

📖 Novel In Verse 🏀 Sports Fiction 👴 Grandparent Summer 🕊️ Loss Of A Parent 🖤 Black Boyhood

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie • 2007

A Spokane cartoonist transfers to an all-white school, becoming a stranger in both worlds.

4.05

200k+

🏠 Reservation Life 🎭 Dual Identity 🌿 Indigenous Coming Of Age 🏀 Sports And Identity 🖤 Dark Humor

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

A Spokane cartoonist transfers to an all-white school, becoming a stranger in both worlds.

by Sherman Alexie 2007 230 pages

4.05

200k+ ratings

🏠 Reservation Life 🎭 Dual Identity 🌿 Indigenous Coming Of Age 🏀 Sports And Identity 🖤 Dark Humor

The Red Pencil

by Andrea Davis Pinkney • 2014

When war steals her home and voice, a Darfur girl draws her way back to hope.

3.9

7k+

📖 Novel In Verse 🧳 Child Refugee 🎨 Art As Healing 🕊️ Quiet Resilience 🌍 Darfur

The Red Pencil

When war steals her home and voice, a Darfur girl draws her way back to hope.

by Andrea Davis Pinkney 2014 336 pages

3.9

7k+ ratings

📖 Novel In Verse 🧳 Child Refugee 🎨 Art As Healing 🕊️ Quiet Resilience 🌍 Darfur

Forget Me Not

by Ellie Terry • 2017

A girl with Tourette's hides behind vintage dresses; the class president becomes her secret ally.

3.91

15k+

📖 Verse Novel 🤝 Bystander To Ally 🚶 Outsider Protagonist 🗣️ School Bullying 🌱 Quiet Courage

Forget Me Not

A girl with Tourette's hides behind vintage dresses; the class president becomes her secret ally.

by Ellie Terry 2017 336 pages

3.91

15k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🤝 Bystander To Ally 🚶 Outsider Protagonist 🗣️ School Bullying 🌱 Quiet Courage

It's Kind of a Funny Story

by Ned Vizzini • 2006

Craig got into the best school in Manhattan. Then his mind tried to kill him.

4.07

200k+

🏥 Teen Psychiatric Ward 🌧️ Teenage Depression 🤝 Found Family 🎨 Art As Therapy 😅 Darkly Comic

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Craig got into the best school in Manhattan. Then his mind tried to kill him.

by Ned Vizzini 2006 444 pages

4.07

200k+ ratings

🏥 Teen Psychiatric Ward 🌧️ Teenage Depression 🤝 Found Family 🎨 Art As Therapy 😅 Darkly Comic

Strike Zone

by Mike Lupica • 2019

A Bronx pitcher dreams of Yankee Stadium. His undocumented parents dream of staying in America.

4.17

397

🧢 Youth Baseball 📋 Undocumented Parents 🩺 Sick Sibling 💪 Heartfelt Sports 🏙️ South Bronx

Strike Zone

A Bronx pitcher dreams of Yankee Stadium. His undocumented parents dream of staying in America.

by Mike Lupica 2019 272 pages

4.17

397 ratings

🧢 Youth Baseball 📋 Undocumented Parents 🩺 Sick Sibling 💪 Heartfelt Sports 🏙️ South Bronx

Easy

by Tammara Webber • 2012

A freshman's attraction to her campus rescuer unravels when she discovers he's also her tutor.

4.07

200k+

🎓 New Adult Romance 🏫 Campus Romance 🛡️ Mysterious Protector 🎭 Hidden Identity ❤️‍🩹 Trauma Healing

Easy

A freshman's attraction to her campus rescuer unravels when she discovers he's also her tutor.

by Tammara Webber 2012 336 pages

4.07

200k+ ratings

🎓 New Adult Romance 🏫 Campus Romance 🛡️ Mysterious Protector 🎭 Hidden Identity ❤️‍🩹 Trauma Healing

If I Stay

by Gayle Forman • 2009

Outside her body after the crash, a teenage cellist watches her boyfriend beg her to stay.

3.91

900k+

🫥 Out-Of-Body Perspective 🎻 Musician Protagonist ⚖️ Life Or Death Choice 🥀 Bittersweet 🌧️ Pacific Northwest

If I Stay

Outside her body after the crash, a teenage cellist watches her boyfriend beg her to stay.

by Gayle Forman 2009 208 pages

3.91

900k+ ratings

🫥 Out-Of-Body Perspective 🎻 Musician Protagonist ⚖️ Life Or Death Choice 🥀 Bittersweet 🌧️ Pacific Northwest

Crossing the Wire

by Will Hobbs • 2006

A Mexican farm boy rides freight trains and crosses the desert to save his starving family.

3.83

2k+

🚂 Riding The Rails 🏜️ Desert Survival 🌎 Immigrant Story 🚧 Border Crossing 💔 Friendship Betrayal

Crossing the Wire

A Mexican farm boy rides freight trains and crosses the desert to save his starving family.

by Will Hobbs 2006 216 pages

3.83

2k+ ratings

🚂 Riding The Rails 🏜️ Desert Survival 🌎 Immigrant Story 🚧 Border Crossing 💔 Friendship Betrayal

The Sun Is Also a Star

by Nicola Yoon • 2016

Her immune system keeps her prisoner. The new boy next door makes her want to escape.

3.95

300k+

🏥 Illness Romance 🏠 Neighbors To Lovers 💔 Forbidden Love 🌅 Bittersweet Romance 💕 Tender First Love

The Sun Is Also a Star

Her immune system keeps her prisoner. The new boy next door makes her want to escape.

by Nicola Yoon 2016 344 pages

3.95

300k+ ratings

🏥 Illness Romance 🏠 Neighbors To Lovers 💔 Forbidden Love 🌅 Bittersweet Romance 💕 Tender First Love

Cabin Fever

by Jeff Kinney • 2011

Greg Heffley's journal captures middle school: a world where moldy cheese decides your social fate.

4.23

100k+

📓 Journal Format 😂 School Comedy 🤥 Unreliable Narrator 👫 Frenemy Friendship 👨‍👩‍👦 Embarrassing Family

Cabin Fever

Greg Heffley's journal captures middle school: a world where moldy cheese decides your social fate.

by Jeff Kinney 2011

4.23

100k+ ratings

📓 Journal Format 😂 School Comedy 🤥 Unreliable Narrator 👫 Frenemy Friendship 👨‍👩‍👦 Embarrassing Family

Dear Evan Hansen

by Val Emmich • 2018

A classmate's suicide and a found letter trap an anxious teen in a grieving family's lie.

3.86

72k+

🧠 Teen Mental Health 😰 Social Anxiety 🎭 Snowballing Lie 💔 Grieving Family 😟 Anxious Narrator

Dear Evan Hansen

A classmate's suicide and a found letter trap an anxious teen in a grieving family's lie.

by Val Emmich 2018 368 pages

3.86

72k+ ratings

🧠 Teen Mental Health 😰 Social Anxiety 🎭 Snowballing Lie 💔 Grieving Family 😟 Anxious Narrator

That Was Then, This Is Now

by S.E. Hinton • 1998

Bryon and Mark were like brothers, until Mark's drug dealing forced an impossible choice.

3.94

41k+

🏚️ Gritty Realism 💔 Doomed Friendship 🏠 Found Family ⚖️ Moral Awakening 🕰️ 1970s America

That Was Then, This Is Now

Bryon and Mark were like brothers, until Mark's drug dealing forced an impossible choice.

by S.E. Hinton 1998 159 pages

3.94

41k+ ratings

🏚️ Gritty Realism 💔 Doomed Friendship 🏠 Found Family ⚖️ Moral Awakening 🕰️ 1970s America

Sold

by Patricia McCormick • 2006

Sold by her stepfather, a Nepali girl enters an Indian brothel and fights to survive.

4.24

65k+

📖 Verse Novel 🔗 Child Trafficking 🏔️ Nepal Setting 🚪 Brothel Setting ⛓️ Forced Prostitution

Sold

Sold by her stepfather, a Nepali girl enters an Indian brothel and fights to survive.

by Patricia McCormick 2006 268 pages

4.24

65k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🔗 Child Trafficking 🏔️ Nepal Setting 🚪 Brothel Setting ⛓️ Forced Prostitution

The Ugly Truth

by Jeff Kinney • 2010

Greg Heffley's friendless school year brings a lock-in fiasco, a wedding, and the panic of puberty.

4.18

100k+

📓 Illustrated Diary 🎒 Middle School Comedy 🤝 Best Friend Feud 😳 Puberty Panic 👾 Chaotic Siblings

The Ugly Truth

Greg Heffley's friendless school year brings a lock-in fiasco, a wedding, and the panic of puberty.

by Jeff Kinney 2010 217 pages

4.18

100k+ ratings

📓 Illustrated Diary 🎒 Middle School Comedy 🤝 Best Friend Feud 😳 Puberty Panic 👾 Chaotic Siblings

Double Helix

by Nancy Werlin • 2004

A teen's genetics job leads to a hidden subbasement where human lives are engineered.

3.50

3k+

👶 Designer Babies 👥 Secret Sibling ⚡ Playing God 🔬 Corporate Lab Secrets 🎭 Mentor Manipulation

Double Helix

A teen's genetics job leads to a hidden subbasement where human lives are engineered.

by Nancy Werlin 2004 250 pages

3.50

3k+ ratings

👶 Designer Babies 👥 Secret Sibling ⚡ Playing God 🔬 Corporate Lab Secrets 🎭 Mentor Manipulation

Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life

by Rachel Renée Russell • 2009

A diary, a crush, and a mean-girl nemesis: an artistic dork's survival guide to private school.

4.10

100k+

📓 Diary Novel 🏫 Middle School Drama 😈 Mean Girl Rivalry 🎒 Private School Outsider 💖 First Crush

Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life

A diary, a crush, and a mean-girl nemesis: an artistic dork's survival guide to private school.

by Rachel Renée Russell 2009 327 pages

4.10

100k+ ratings

📓 Diary Novel 🏫 Middle School Drama 😈 Mean Girl Rivalry 🎒 Private School Outsider 💖 First Crush

Hard Luck

by Jeff Kinney • 2013

When Rowley finds a girlfriend, Greg Heffley lets a Magic 8 Ball call the shots.

4.26

98k+

📖 Illustrated Diary 🚲 Third Wheel 🤥 Unreliable Narrator 😬 Awkward Humor 🏫 School Comedy

Hard Luck

When Rowley finds a girlfriend, Greg Heffley lets a Magic 8 Ball call the shots.

by Jeff Kinney 2013 217 pages

4.26

98k+ ratings

📖 Illustrated Diary 🚲 Third Wheel 🤥 Unreliable Narrator 😬 Awkward Humor 🏫 School Comedy

Charming as a Verb

by Ben Philippe • 2020

His neighbor catches his dog-walking hustle and demands a social makeover to keep quiet.

3.84

8k+

🎓 College Admissions 🏙️ NYC Private School 🤝 Reluctant Friendship 🌍 Immigrant Family 💄 Social Makeover

Charming as a Verb

His neighbor catches his dog-walking hustle and demands a social makeover to keep quiet.

by Ben Philippe 2020 328 pages

3.84

8k+ ratings

🎓 College Admissions 🏙️ NYC Private School 🤝 Reluctant Friendship 🌍 Immigrant Family 💄 Social Makeover

Illegal

by Eoin Colfer • 2017

A Ghanaian boy chases his missing brother across desert and sea, hoping Europe holds a future.

4.21

10k+

📖 Migration Graphic Novel 🧒 Child Migrant Story 🤝 Found Family 🌍 West African Setting 🌊 Survival At Sea

Illegal

A Ghanaian boy chases his missing brother across desert and sea, hoping Europe holds a future.

by Eoin Colfer 2017 144 pages

4.21

10k+ ratings

📖 Migration Graphic Novel 🧒 Child Migrant Story 🤝 Found Family 🌍 West African Setting 🌊 Survival At Sea

Fangirl

by Rainbow Rowell • 2013

When her twin chooses a different dorm, a shy freshman hides inside the fanfiction millions read.

3.93

700k+

🎓 College Coming Of Age ✍️ Fanfiction Community 🔥 Slow Burn Romance 💔 Sibling Estrangement 😰 Anxious Protagonist

Fangirl

When her twin chooses a different dorm, a shy freshman hides inside the fanfiction millions read.

by Rainbow Rowell 2013 483 pages

3.93

700k+ ratings

🎓 College Coming Of Age ✍️ Fanfiction Community 🔥 Slow Burn Romance 💔 Sibling Estrangement 😰 Anxious Protagonist

Old School

by Jeff Kinney • 2015

Greg's mom unplugs the town; camp serves no Wi-Fi, a ghost legend, and Dad's old secret.

4.29

71k+

🖊️ Diary Format 🎨 Illustrated Fiction 🎭 Sarcastic Narrator 😴 Lazy Protagonist 👨‍👩‍👦 Chaotic Family

Old School

Greg's mom unplugs the town; camp serves no Wi-Fi, a ghost legend, and Dad's old secret.

by Jeff Kinney 2015 224 pages

4.29

71k+ ratings

🖊️ Diary Format 🎨 Illustrated Fiction 🎭 Sarcastic Narrator 😴 Lazy Protagonist 👨‍👩‍👦 Chaotic Family

Holding Up the Universe

by Jennifer Niven • 2016

He can't tell faces apart. She's tired of hiding. One cafeteria punch brings them together.

3.67

100k+

👥 Dual Pov 🧠 Hidden Disability 💜 Body Positivity ⚡ Enemies To Lovers 🏫 High School Drama

Holding Up the Universe

He can't tell faces apart. She's tired of hiding. One cafeteria punch brings them together.

by Jennifer Niven 2016 391 pages

3.67

100k+ ratings

👥 Dual Pov 🧠 Hidden Disability 💜 Body Positivity ⚡ Enemies To Lovers 🏫 High School Drama

Beezus and Ramona

by Beverly Cleary • 1955

Beezus Quimby is nine, responsible, and sure of one thing: her little sister Ramona is impossible.

4.03

100k+

🏠 Slice Of Life Family 👧 Annoying Little Sister 💕 Love-Hate Sibling Bond 🎨 Imaginative Mischief 🎂 Domestic Disasters

Beezus and Ramona

Beezus Quimby is nine, responsible, and sure of one thing: her little sister Ramona is impossible.

by Beverly Cleary 1955 160 pages

4.03

100k+ ratings

🏠 Slice Of Life Family 👧 Annoying Little Sister 💕 Love-Hate Sibling Bond 🎨 Imaginative Mischief 🎂 Domestic Disasters

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

by Liz Pichon • 2014

A doodle-crazy boy ducks homework, a rival, and his sister to score concert tickets with his band.

4.19

15k+

📓 Illustrated Diary ✏️ Doodling Protagonist 🤪 Class Clown 👫 Sibling Rivalry 🏫 British School

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

A doodle-crazy boy ducks homework, a rival, and his sister to score concert tickets with his band.

by Liz Pichon 2014 256 pages

4.19

15k+ ratings

📓 Illustrated Diary ✏️ Doodling Protagonist 🤪 Class Clown 👫 Sibling Rivalry 🏫 British School

A Dog's Life

by Ann M. Martin • 2005

A stray dog spends her life losing everyone, wandering the countryside, always searching for home.

4.22

16k+

🐾 Animal Narrator 🐕 Stray Dog Journey 😢 Animal Tearjerker 🏠 Found Family 👵 Unlikely Friendship

A Dog's Life

A stray dog spends her life losing everyone, wandering the countryside, always searching for home.

by Ann M. Martin 2005 208 pages

4.22

16k+ ratings

🐾 Animal Narrator 🐕 Stray Dog Journey 😢 Animal Tearjerker 🏠 Found Family 👵 Unlikely Friendship

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

by Rachel Cohn • 2006

A bassist dodging his ex asks a stranger to be his girlfriend for five minutes.

3.68

85k+

🤝 Fake Dating 🌙 One Night Romance 🔄 Dual Pov 🎸 Indie Music Scene 💔 Getting Over An Ex

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

A bassist dodging his ex asks a stranger to be his girlfriend for five minutes.

by Rachel Cohn 2006 183 pages

3.68

85k+ ratings

🤝 Fake Dating 🌙 One Night Romance 🔄 Dual Pov 🎸 Indie Music Scene 💔 Getting Over An Ex

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