Contemporary+Realistic+Fiction+-+Part+2

Blume, J. (1975). //Forever.// New York: Simon Pulse.


 * Genre:** Contemporary Realistic Fiction


 * Ages:** Ages17 and above


 * Personal Reaction:** Katherine (Kath) and Michael, both seniors in high school, meet at a party and soon become inseparable. While Kath’s parents feel it is too soon for her to be serious about someone, Kath knows that they will be together forever. When the topic of sex comes up between Kath and Michael, they know they just want to be together. Their relationship grows more intimate, both emotionally and sexually.

When summer arrives Kath is sent to be a camp instructor, and her feelings for Michael change. While she knows she will always love him, she realizes that they are not meant to be together forever. This was an interesting change from the Fugde Series that I’ve read to my fourth graders. This book is definitely meant for older teens because of the emphasis on the sexual intimacy. I feel Blume effectively made her point across that just because they are a first love does not mean forever love.


 * Author Facts:** Judy Blume’s books have been translated into 31 different languages. Blume founded a charity called The Kids Fund. Judy Blume also works with the National Coalition Against Censorship to make sure readers can choose to read what they want.


 * Websites:** http://www.judyblume.com/home.php

Sebold, A. (2002). //The lovely bones.// New York: Back Bay Books.


 * Genre:** Contemporary Realistic Fiction / Mystery


 * Ages:**** Ages 17 and above **


 * Personal Reaction:**** //The Lovely Bones// ** is the story of Susie Sammon, a fourteen year old girl, who was murdered by her neighbor. The story is told from Susie’s perspective, so she is the only one who knows who her murderer is, besides the murderer himself. Susie’s family reacts to her murder in different ways. Her mom leaves the family, her sister relies on the strength of her boyfriend, and her dad becomes obsessed with solving her murder. While her family is trying to figure out how to go through life without her, Susie, is in heaven watching her family because she is not ready to let them go. The reader is exposed to her thoughts and feelings about death.

The viewpoint of this book enables the reader to see the death of a young girl from a viewpoint no one else can. Since the book is from Susie’s view, we are able to get inside the house of the murderer and watch almost every move. The reader is also exposed to Susie’s version of heaven, which is different for everyone, according to Susie. While the ending isn’t one readers may want, there is justice at the end.


 * Author Facts**:** //The Lovely Bones// ** has been translated into 45 different languages. Sebold went to Syracuse University. She has edited //The Best Short Stories of 2009.//


 * Websites:** http://www.barclayagency.com/sebold.html

Brashares, A. (2001). //The sisterhood of the traveling pants.// New York: Delacorte Press.


 * Genre:** Realistic Fiction


 * Ages:** Ages 15 - 18


 * Personal Reaction:** //The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants// is a story of a group of four girls who are about to spend their first summer truly apart. Bee, the tall athletic one, is off to a soccer camp in Mexico. Lina, the quiet, yet beautiful one, is off to Greece with her sister. Tibby, the sarcastic one, is stuck at home working at Wallman’s. Finally, Carmen, the insecure one of the group, is off to spend the summer with her dad. The four girls find a pair of jeans that miraculously fit all of them, despite their various body shapes. The girls hope that the pants will hold them together while they are traveling this summer.

Throughout the story, the girls go through major life changes. First, Lina falls in love for the first time with Kiostos, a boy from Greece. The shocking part is she has the courage to tell him before she leaves. Bee wants to impress a soccer coach Eric, and ends up sleeping with him. Tibby becomes friends with Bailey, a girl who is dying of Lukemia. Carmen finds out her dad is getting remarried in August and is angry that she and her mom weren’t enough to make him stay. Throughout these difficult moments in their lives, the four friends realize they draw on the strength of one another. I enjoyed this book because the book doesn’t focus on just one of these characters, but all of the characters. The reader really gets to know each of the characters’ strengths, as well as their flaws. The major theme in this book is that no matter where you go, your friends are always beside you.


 * Author Facts:** Ann was born in Washington D.C. Her first novel was //The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.// She studied Philosophy at Barnard College.


 * Websites:** http://annbrashares.com/

Barnholdt, L. (2007). //Two – way street.// New York: Simon Pulse.


 * Genre:** Contemporary Realistic Fiction


 * Ages:** Ages 16 to 18

Readers are able to gather that there is something not right between Jordan and Courtney’s dad. In fact, Jordan had found out Courtney’s dad and his mom were having an affair. He chooses holds onto the secret for a few months. When he realizes he is falling in love with Courtney, he can’t keep lying to her, so he makes her believe he’s met some one else. Courtney’s heart is broken, but through this roadtrip, two hearts make find their way back. I found this book to be unrealistic. Yes, adults have affairs and teenagers break up, but what are the chances that two parents would be having an affair with each other. Another unrealistic part of this book is the fact the two still went on the road trip together, without their parents. While the lack of parent supervision will attract teens to the book, overall the events were too unrealistic.
 * Personal Reaction:** Courtney and her boyfriend, Jordan have just broken up because he’s started to see some one else. To make matters worse, before their split, they had already agreed to drive to Boston together to start college. This book goes back and forth between how Courtney and Jordan met, to the current road trip they are taking.


 * Author Facts:** Lauren was born in New York. She enjoys watching reality television. She is scared of the dark and scary movies with serial killers in them.

http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Lauren-Barnholdt/34766959/biography
 * Websites:** http://laurenbarnholdt.com/

Cormier, R. (1974). //The chocolate war.// New York: Alfred A. Knopf.


 * Genre: Realistic Fiction

Intended Audience: Ages 15 - 18

Personal Reaction to the book: Jerry Renault lost his mother to cancer last year. While he and his dad try to learn how to live life without her, Jerry starts attending Trinity. He is a hard working freshman who wants have more out of his life. Jerry starts playing football, despite his small size. His hard work pays off and the coach lets him stay on the team.

Life at Trinity doesn't seem that bad until the Chocolate Sale begins. Brother Leon, the interim headmaster, wants each boy to seel 50 boxes. The Vigils, a secret society at Trinity, gives Jerry an assignment not to sell chocolates for ten days. Jerry agrees to the assignment, but then refuses to sell chocolates at all. The Vigil's leader Archie, gets some boys to beat him. Then Archie turns the whole school against Jerry. In the end, Jerry if forced to box in front of the whole school and is knocked unconscious.

This book is a well written book, but saddens the readers heart to watch a school turn so quickly against one student. They make the student feel invisible and try to bully him into selling the chocolates now that he's refusing. For any reader who has been bullied, this book will hold a special connection for them.

Author Facts: Cormier has lived his whole life in Massachusetts. He worked as a newspaper columnist for 30 years. His first story sold for $75 dollars.

Related Websites:** http://www.randomhouse.com/author/results.pperl?authorid=5740

Crutcher, C. (2007). //Deadline.// New York: Harper Collins.


 * Genre:** Realistic Fiction


 * Ages:** Ages 16 and above

Ben makes several changes during this year, Instead of cross country, he goes out for football, a sport his brother Cody excels at. Despite the fact his size is a disadvantage, Ben embraces football with the thought that he has nothing to lose. In fact, he even gets the courage to ask out Dallas Suzuki, his high school crush. Surprisingly, she agrees to meet him for an interview. Against all odds, Dallas and Ben soon become a couple and he realizes that people are not who he thinks they are. He finds out the deepest secrets of Dallas, and Rudy, the town drunk. However, he doesn’t have enough courage until the end to tell his family, coaches, and Dallas. Through his sickness Ben learns to put all his cards on the table and play like you have nothing to lose. Overall, I enjoyed //Deadline.// Based on my recent loss of my mother, the fact that Ben chose to live life to the fullest describes my mother at her best. I related to the range of emotions that Ben’s family, as well as himself, portrayed throughout the book. The only negative part of the book were the conversations with Hey-soos (Jesus). I took them to be a bit insensitive.
 * Personal Reaction:** //Deadline// is about Ben Wolfe, a senior in high school who is ready to make his senior year his best one yet. While going to a physical for cross-county, he found out he has an aggressive case of cancer, but treatments would only prolong his life a short time. Ben decides to withhold the information from his brother, his parents, and his coach. However, his decision to have the best year ever does not change.


 * Author Facts:** His father was a WWII bomber pilot. He worked at an alternative school for about ten years. He works as a therapist.


 * Websites:**** http://www.chriscrutcher.com/

Kimmel, R. (1972). //Chocolate fever.// New York: G.P. Putman's Sons.

****Genre:** ** Contemporary Realistic Fiction / Fantasy **


 * Ages:** ** Ages 12 to 13 **

Henry runs away from the hospital and hitches a ride with Mac. Mac doesn't see him as weird, like the other characters in the book did. Unfortunately, Mac and Henry are kidnapped by robbers. However, due to Henry's mysterious illness, he is able to save himself and Mac from the robbers. He learns to have self control over his love of chocolate. This book is meant for younger young adult readers. The reading level is fairly easy and the plot is slightly unbelievable. However, young adults can all relate to wanting something good like chocolate all the time. They might even like creating possible sequels.
 * Personal Reaction**: //Chocolate Fever// is about Henry, a young boy who eats chocolate at every meal. Not only does he eat chocolate all day, but he puts chocolate in everything. One day he starts to feel a little funny at school, so he goes to the nurse. The nurse is surprised because she has never seen spots appear like they are appearing on Henry. Henry is taken to the hospital where he is diagnosed with Chocolate Fever.


 * Author Facts:** //Chocolate Fever// was his first book. He first thought of becoming a writer when he was sick in bed for 3 months with rheumatic fever. He became a full time writer in 1970.


 * Websites**: ** http://www.robertkimmelsmith.com/ **