Realistic Fiction
If You Love John Green . . . other great voices in YA fiction
Best-selling American author John Green has become an official phenomenon in Young
Adult fiction. Proof? He was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in
2014 – a rare accolade for someone who has published a handful of books about smart,
precociously verbal teenagers. Green’s writing has been a big deal in the United States for
several years, but with the release of the film version of The Fault in Our Stars he has suddenly
become a to-read author in the UK as well. By all means, DO read John Green’s books. The
Fault in Our Stars. Looking for Alaska. An Abundance of Katherines. Paper Towns. Will
Grayson, Will Grayson. His subject matter is the classic realistic mix of friendships, family,
falling in love and figuring out the complicated questions of self and identity, but the voice is
inimitable. Since you probably do not need another recommendation to read John Green,
TRAC would like to suggest some other American authors who are writing fantastic realistic
fiction that you won’t be able to put down.
Winger
Andrew Smith
Ryan Dean West: gifted student, excellent athlete, lover of women,
genius cartoonist.
Ryan Dean West: 14 year old self-described “loser.” Hyperactive and
prone to social gaffes.
Ryan Dean West: two years younger than everyone else, but looking
for a level playing field.
RDW punches above his weight and so does this humorous novel, with
unexpected serious and touching moments. The quantity of excellent
cartoons edges this novel into graphic territory.
strong language; sexuality; emotionally disturbing; drugs/alcohol
Fangirl
Rainbow Rowell
18 year old Cath: first year university student, twin, and fan fiction
writer with reclusive tendencies. Cath has family problems and love
interest problems, and spends way too much time in a Harry
Potteresque fantasy world, but she also possesses a dry sense of
humour and a strong sense of self. Fangirl describes the seductive
power of a fictional world, and it creates that, too.
strong language; sexuality; emotionally disturbing; drugs/alcohol
Eleanor & Park
Rainbow Rowell
If John Green is the current King of YA, then Rainbow Rowell is definitely one of the queens. In the last two years, she has published two astoundingly good novels: Eleanor & Park and Fangirl. Like John Green, she manages to write books that are critically acclaimed and best-sellers – both with teenagers and adults. Like John Green, she takes the ingredients of realistic fiction and comes up with something that is fresh and distinctive. No clichés or formulas in these books. She also writes the best-ever dialogue, witty and pitch-perfect. Eleanor & Park is an unusual friendship/love story between the new girl in town (with plenty to hide) and the loner boy who, despite his own shy and self-protective tendencies, is drawn to her. This book
has so much sweetness in it, but it is also gritty and real. Set in the semi-historical era of 1986, it describes a time when teenagers communicated their feelings and personalities through mix tapes and semi-private moments on the school bus.
strong language; sexuality; emotionally disturbing
Whale Talk
Chris Crutcher
Before John Green and Andrew Smith, there was Chris Crutcher – an
award-winning, hugely respected YA writer for older teens. Known for
his sports novels, and depictions of teenagers with difficult lives,
Crutcher writes intense books that have a big intellectual and
emotional pay-off. Whale Talk and Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes are
two of his best. Crutcher’s novels champion the underdog, and in
different ways both of these novels are about how sport can
transform feelings of self-worth and foster friendship amongst
otherwise unlikely acquaintances.
strong language; emotionally disturbing; violence
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Chris Crutcher
Despite their problems and scarred past, Eric and Sarah have an unbreakable unfriendship.
strong language; emotionally disturbing; violence
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Jesse Andrews
One of the funniest and most profane books in realistic YA fiction, this
novel features three of the most unlikely friends imaginable. They are
united by filmmaking, cancer and really bad humour. Protagonist Greg
Gaines is trying to get through life, not to mention his senior year of
high school, by keeping a low profile; needless to say, he blows it. A
Holden Caulfield for the 21st century, Greg takes self-deprecation and
creative bad language to the next level. Greg does not really want to
feel genuine emotions, but he does in spite of himself – and so will the
reader of this book. A fantastic choice for male reluctant readers.
strong language
Liar and Spy
Rebecca Stead
This memorable book about friendship will appeal to younger readers,
or anyone who appreciates excellent writing and a well-told story.
When the book begins, main character Georges is having a hard time.
His family has had to move, his mother is never at home and he is
being bullied at school. Georges’ only potential new friend is a homeschooled
spy called Safer – who never leaves their apartment building.
Full of humour and quirky details, this book will surprise and
thoroughly engage its readers.
In Bloom
Matthew Crow
This UK realistic novel will draw unavoidable comparisons to The Fault
in Our Stars for the obvious reason that it is a love story between two
teenagers who meet on the cancer ward. But when you factor in the
Tyne and Wear setting, not to mention an eccentric cast of family
characters, the outcome and reading experience is undeniably
different. Humorous and moving in its own unique way, this novel
deserves its own wide audience of readers.
strong language; emotionally disturbing
If I Stay (If I Stay, #1)
Gayle Forman
If you aren’t familiar with Gayle Forman yet, you will be soon. Like
John Green, she has a big film release this summer: If I Stay.
Interweaving flashbacks and the real-time of a near-death experience,
If I Stay is a love story between two musicians: Mia, a cellist, and
Adam, who plays in an “emo-rock” band. When a terrible accident
occurs, Mia will be torn between Adam and her eccentrically
wonderful (and most beloved) family. Emotionally gripping and
definitely a tear-jerker, but all in the best possible way.
emotionally disturbing
Every Day (Every Day, #1)
David Levithan
Author David Levithan both edits and writes YA fiction, and he is
publishing some ground-breaking work – particularly in the area of
same sex relationships. This unusual love story “reads” as a realistic
story, but it pushes beyond those boundaries with its central idea. A,
the protagonist, inhabits a different body from day to day. He has no
given family and no given name, yet he has an identity and self which
stay fixed. When A falls in love with Rhiannon, he has to figure out
whether it is possible to have a relationship when you are, literally, a
different person every day. Unexpectedly philosophical and
thoughtful, this is an unforgettable book.
strong language; sexuality; emotionally disturbing
