Realistic/Real life middle fiction

Moonwalking

Zetta Elliott, Lyn Miller-Lachmann

In 1980s Brooklyn, new student JJ Pankowski, an autistic, punk-rock-lover, befriends Pie Velez, an Afro-Latinx math geek and graffiti artist.

Available to order, ships in 5-9 daysAvailable to order

Paperback

Air

Monica Roe

An action-packed, empowering middle grade novel about a girl who has to speak up when her wheelchair motocross dreams get turned upside down.

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

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To and Fro

Anton Clifford-Motopi

Sam tries to understand what it means to be black in this funny Australian story about identity, family and friendship.

In stock at 6 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 6 shops

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City of Horses

Frances Moloney

New home. New friendships. New rules.

In stock at 4 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 4 shops

Paperback

Maizy Chen’s Last Chance

Lisa Yee

Twelve year-old Maizy discovers her family’s Chinese restaurant is full of secrets in this irresistible novel that celebrates food, fortune, and family.

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

Paperback

Not All Heroes

Josephine Cameron

From author of the commercial hit Maybe A Mermaid comes a middle-grade adventure about heroics in the face of grief.

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

Paperback

One Wrong Turn

Chenee Marrapodi

In the competitive world of ballet you always need to be on pointe.

If I wanted the lead role, Valentina had to go.

A contemporary Ballet Shoes set in an…

In stock at 7 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 7 shops

Paperback

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Dan Gemeinhart

A girl and her father live on a bus and make a rush trip across America to get to their hometown in time to save a memory box with possessions…

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

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Harbour Me

Jacqueline Woodson

An unforgettable New York Times bestseller from multi-award-winning Jacqueline Woodson, celebrating the healing that occurs when six children discover a harbour where they can express their feelings and fears.

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

Paperback

Be Brave, Maple Mehta-Cohen!: A Story for Anyone Who Has Ever Felt Different

Kate McGovern

A warm, contemporary classroom story about creative Maple Mehta-Cohen and her dyslexia, perfect for fans of Lisa Thompson, Helen Rutter and R. J. Palacio. A dyslexia-friendly book.

In stock at 4 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 4 shops

Paperback

All the Way Down

Stewart Foster

A life-affirming story about friendship, adventure and self-belief, from the award-winning author of The Bubble Boy. Perfect for fans of Louis Sachar's Holes and Elle McNicoll's A Kind of Spark.

In stock at 5 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 5 shops

Paperback

Change of Heart

Nova Weetman

Mackenzie loves living in the city, so when she’s offered the chance to live in the country, she has to make some big decisions. Should she stay, and get to…

In stock at 5 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 5 shops

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The Jammer

Nova Weetman

From the bestselling, award-winning author of Sick Bay and The Secrets We Keep, a powerful, life-affirming middle grade novel about grief and roller derby.

In stock at 6 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 6 shops

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Ellen Outside the Lines

A. J. Sass

A heartfelt novel about a neurodivergent thirteen-year-old navigating changing friendships, a school trip, and expanding horizons for fans of Rain Reign and Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World.

In stock at 4 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 4 shops

Paperback

Jummy at the River School

Sabine Adeyinka

Jummy has won a place at Unity Hall, the finest girls’ boarding school in Southern Nigeria. It’s everything she could wish for, until her less fortunate best friend from home…

Available to order, ships in 10-14 daysAvailable to order

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Queenie in Seven Moves

Zanni Louise

A sensitive, timely story addressing loss and belonging.

Available to order, ships in 10-14 daysAvailable to order

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The Amazing Edie Eckhart: The Big Trip: Book 2

Rosie Jones

From TV comedian Rosie comes a sparky and HILARIOUS series for readers aged 9+. Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and DORK DIARIES.

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

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Tiger Daughter

Rebecca Lim

Wen Zhou is determined to create a future for herself that is more satisfying than the life her parents expect her to lead. Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, Tiger Daughter…

In stock at 5 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 5 shops

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Get Your Act Together, Doris Kozlowski

Jo Dabrowski

Doris Kozlowski's life is anything but normal. Her mum plays singing vegetables in TV commercials. Her little brother befriends pebbles and potatoes. And don't even get her started on her…

In stock at 4 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 4 shops

Hardback

Alice Austen Lived Here

Alex Gino

Sam is nonbinary, and when Sam’s home borough of Staten Island opens up a contest for a new statue, Sam finds the perfect subject: photographer Alice Austen, who lived with…

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All Four Quarters of the Moon

Shirley Marr

Eleven-year-old Peijing and her family are adapting to their new life in Australia, but when cracks in her family life start to appear, she must find a way to cope…

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

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Everything I’ve Never Said

Samantha Wheeler

A powerful novel about a subject rarely tackled - young people with disabilities and the families who love and support them.

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

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The First Summer of Callie McGee

A.L. Tait

A middle-grade mystery about growing up, figuring things out, and solving the puzzle of who you are.

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

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No Words

Maryam Master

A uniquely narrated, moving story about a young refugee trying to find his place in the world - from the author of Exit Through the Gift Shop.

In stock at 7 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 7 shops

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August and Jones

Pip Harry

From the CBCA Award-winning author of The Little Wave comes the story of two extraordinary kids who discover the life-changing power of friendship and teamwork.

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

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How To Spell Catastrophe

Fiona Wood

Nell McPherson is a catastrophe expert, but nothing has prepared her for the impending catastrophe of her mum’s plans to merge families with boyfriend, Ted and his annoying daughter, Amelia.

In stock at 5 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 5 shops

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See You in the Cosmos

Jack Cheng

An astonishingly moving middle-grade debut about a space-obsessed boy’s quest for family and home.

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

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How to Tackle Your Dreams

Fiona Hardy

From the award-winning author behind How to Make a Movie in 12 Days and How to Write the Soundtrack to Your Life comes a warm and funny celebration of following…

In stock at 5 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 5 shops

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I’ll Keep You Close

Jeska Verstegen

A beautifully written novel based on a true story about a young girl who comes to understand why her mother is so fearful and overprotective when her class starts studying…

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Girl. Boy. Sea.

Chris Vick

Storm, shipwreck, survival. This novel delves deep into the might and majesty of the unpredictable ocean, the strength of an unlikely friendship between a British boy and a Berber girl…

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Songbird

Ingrid Laguna

A unique, tender and heart-warming novel following a young girl’s experience as an Iraqi refugee in Melbourne, her desire to belong, and the importance of friendship.

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

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Omar Rising

Aisha Saeed

From the internationally bestselling author of Amal Unbound comes a delightful companion novel featuring a new lead character, Omar.

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

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Dear Greta

Yvette Poshoglian

When everything seems to be going wrong, sometimes you just have to stand up for what you believe in, even if it’s just in your own little corner of the…

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

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The Best Liars In Riverview

Lin Thompson

A heart-warming adventure starring a non-binary six-grader and written by a debut non-binary author on the rise

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The Year the Maps Changed

Danielle Binks

One extraordinary year will change them all…

In stock at 5 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 5 shops

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How to Write the Soundtrack to Your Life

Fiona Hardy,Fiona Hardy

From the up-and-coming talent behind How To Make A Movie in 12 Days comes a funny and moving mystery about family, friendship and finding your voice.

In stock at 6 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 6 shops

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How to Make a Movie in Twelve Days

Fiona Hardy,Fiona Hardy

Twelve days. Five kids. Many special effects. One giant mystery.

In stock at 7 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 7 shops

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The Book of Chance

Sue Whiting

Chance is a black-and-white thinker until she realises that sometimes there are shades of grey.

Available to order, ships in 5-9 daysAvailable to order

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Stargirl

Jerry Spinelli

Before ELEANOR AND PARK, there was STARGIRL. The seminal life-affirming YA novel celebrating first love and self-acceptance - now in a beautiful new edition for the next generation of readers.

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

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Raymie Nightingale

Kate DiCamillo

New York Times bestselling author Kate DiCamillo returns to her roots with a moving yet witty story of an unforgettable summer friendship.

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

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Fish in a Tree

Lynda Mullaly Hunt

-Ally’s greatest fear is that everyone will find out she is as dumb as they think she is because she still doesn’t know how to read—

In stock at 6 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 6 shops

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The Star Outside My Window

Onjali Q. Rauf

Told through the innocent voice of a child, this is a story that explores the subtle faces and endless impacts of domestic violence and celebrates the power of hope and…

Available to order, ships in approx 2 weeksAvailable to order

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As Fast As I Can

Penny Tangey

One girl. One dream. A few hurdles. Ten-year-old Vivian is determined to win a medal at the Olympic Games one day. Problem is, she hasn’t found a sport she’s any…

In stock at 5 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 5 shops

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What About Thao?

Oliver Phommavanh

In his signature style, Oliver creates a fabulously diverse and heartfelt duo in Thao and Kadir and their sometimes hilarious and sometimes heart-wrenching dilemmas of culture and belonging in a…

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

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Wonder

R. J. Palacio

Auggie wants to be an ordinary ten-year-old. He does ordinary things - eating ice cream, playing on his Xbox. He feels ordinary - inside. But ordinary kids don’t make other…

In stock at 6 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 6 shops

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Front Desk

Kelly Yang

Recent immigrants from China, desperate for money, ten-year-old Mia Tang’s parents take a job managing a rundown Southern California motel for skinflint Mr. Yao, whose son is the only other…

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

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Too Bright to See

Kyle Lukoff

'A gentle, glowing wonder, full of love and understanding'

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

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The Goodbye Year

Emily Gale

A thoughtful and gentle middle-grade novel about the excitement and apprehension of life on the cusp of change at the end of primary school

In stock at 4 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 4 shops

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Realistic/Real life middle fiction

Moonwalking

Air

To and Fro

City of Horses

Maizy Chen’s Last Chance

Not All Heroes

One Wrong Turn

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Harbour Me

Be Brave, Maple Mehta-Cohen!: A Story for Anyone Who Has Ever Felt Different

All the Way Down

Change of Heart

The Jammer

Ellen Outside the Lines

Jummy at the River School

Queenie in Seven Moves

The Amazing Edie Eckhart: The Big Trip: Book 2

Tiger Daughter

Get Your Act Together, Doris Kozlowski

Alice Austen Lived Here

All Four Quarters of the Moon

Everything I’ve Never Said

The First Summer of Callie McGee

No Words

August and Jones

How To Spell Catastrophe

See You in the Cosmos

How to Tackle Your Dreams

I’ll Keep You Close

Girl. Boy. Sea.

Songbird

Omar Rising

Dear Greta

The Best Liars In Riverview

The Year the Maps Changed

How to Write the Soundtrack to Your Life

How to Make a Movie in Twelve Days

The Book of Chance

Stargirl

Raymie Nightingale

Fish in a Tree

The Star Outside My Window

As Fast As I Can

What About Thao?

Wonder

Front Desk

Too Bright to See

The Goodbye Year