Blog Post #6 (Contemporary Realistic Fiction)

 


    The two contemporary realistic fiction books that I read and love are Wonder by R.J. Palacio and Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Noah Z. Jones. 

    Those Shoes is about a boy named Jeremy who wants the newest pair of black high tops with two white stripes, but they're too expensive. Almost of all of Jermey's friends at school start getting these cool new shoes which just makes Jermey want some even more! Jermey and his grandma search three thrift stores on the hunt for these shoes, and they actually end up finding a pair! But... they're too small for Jeremy. Jeremy decides to buy them anyways and tries to squeeze his feet into them, but they just truly don't fit. He notices that his friend Antonio has shoes that have to be taped together just to work and... Antonio's feet look smaller than Jeremey's. In the end, even though Jeremy was sad he didn't have those shoes, he chose to give the pair he had to Antonio. This book shines a light on poverty and kindness. The illustrations complement the story so well.

    Wonder is an amazing story about a boy named Auggie that is simply different. He was born looking different than everyone else and has had multiple face surgeries to help him to be able to breathe, hear, and even look a little better (as he says in the book). Auggie has always been homeschooled, but this school year, his parents really do think this is the year for him to start school with other kids since everyone would be starting 5th grade at a new school this year. Throughout the book, Auggie is faced with many challenges and we see how he builds strength to do new things and how he ends up challenging those around him to choose kindness. This is an amazing, heart touching story that everyone should read.

    Both of these books are great examples of contemporary realistic fiction because they are current and applicable to things happening in our society today.

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