Realistic Fiction

Realistic Fiction genre

Mishka

Winner of the national book award for children’s literature in the Netherlands — a sweet and tender story of a girl refugee finding a new home! Roya, her three brothers, and their parents have a new family member — Mishka, a bunny rabbit. He soon becomes a beloved part of their new home and gradually, the rabbit — and also Roya — get to hear the story of the family’s journey from Afghanistan to the Netherlands. Told from different perspectives every time: big Bashir, gentle Hamayun, tough Navid, and sometimes Mom and Dad. Mishka and Roya listen. Anoush Elman and Edward van de Vendel became friends upon Elman’s arrival in the Netherlands, and fifteen years later, they decided to write a story for younger readers about his family’s experience. This gorgeous chapter book — illustrated throughout in full color — is a tender, lyrical story of a young girl processing a new country, new school, and new friends — and a bunny escape! — in a story readers and parents will treasure.

Featured in WOW Review Volume XVII, Issue 2.

The Rock In My Throat

In this moving true story, Kao Kalia Yang shares her experiences as a Hmong refugee child navigating life at home and school in America while carrying the weight of her selective mutism.

The Rock In My Throat is the WOW Recommends Book of the Month for December 2024.
The Rock In My Throat is featured in WOW Review Volume XVII, Issue 3.

A Star Shines Through

Amidst the upheaval of war, a young girl and her family leave their homeland and face the challenges of adapting to a new life in a foreign land, but find comfort in a star-shaped cardboard lamp reminiscent of the one they cherished back home.

Buffalo Dreamer

When 12-year-old Summer visits her family on a reservation in Alberta, Canada, she begins experiencing vivid dreams of running away from a residential school like the one her grandfather attended as a child and learns about unmarked children’s graves, prompting her to seek answers about her community’s painful past.

This book is featured in Season 3, Episode 2 of the WOW Reads podcast.
This book is the WOW Recommends: Book of the Month for April 2025.

Grandma, Where Will Your Love Go? / Abuela, ¿adónde Irá Tu Amor? (Spanish Edition)

A grandmother assures her granddaughter that her love will always surround the young girl, even when she is no longer physically present.

Big Sister, Long Coat

A book about sisterly love and all that goes with it! Little sister is thrilled to spend the day with her big sister, but much to her disappointment, their plans have to change as their environment changes around them – ice cream melts in the hot sun, library closes before they arrive, and suddenly they are trapped in the rain. What are they to do? This was not how little sister thought the day would go. But big sister knows just what to do – even if all they do is splash in puddles and find delight in the nature around them. Indeed, the day did not go as planned, but it ended up being better!

The Suitcase

“The Suitcase” by  the author from the hit-television series Friends, is a heartwarming picture book that captures the transformative power of discovery and imagination. When a young boy visits his grandparents for the summer, he finds himself longing for excitement amidst the routine of reading and gardening. However, his perspective shifts when he stumbles upon a hidden suitcase in the attic, brimming with treasures and mysterious photographs. As he delves into the images of a young couple embarking on daring adventures and joyous escapades, the boy’s curiosity is piqued. Who are these adventurous souls captured in the photographs?

Grandma’s Hair Is Ankle Length / El Cabello De Abuela Le Llega Hasta Los Tobillos

In this tender bilingual picture book that is a poetic ode to grandmothers and granddaughters, a young girl contemplates the mysteries of life and the natural world as her grandmother gently guides her, affirming the interconnectedness of past, present, and future. Through their loving embrace, they become intertwined, their hair flowing together as one, symbolizing the enduring power of familial love and shared experiences. In this bilingual picture book of English and Spanish, the young girl treasures her grandmother’s ankle length hair, as well as the love, security and wisdom of ages it represents.

With its lyrical prose and stunning artwork, “Grandma’s Hair” is a heartfelt tribute to the wisdom of elders, the resilience of youth, and the timeless connection between generations.

The Mochi Makers

In this heartwarming story, a young girl and her grandmother take joy in a timeless tradition that celebrates family, heritage, and the power of memory. As Emi and Obaachan come together to make mochi, they honor a recipe that has been passed down through generations. With each step, they mix, pound, twist, and wrap, transforming simple ingredients into sticky, chewy Japanese rice cakes bursting with color and flavor.

Through the joyous act of making mochi, Emi and Obaachan find solace in the shared experience, weaving threads of love and tradition into each bite. As they laugh, reminisce, and embrace the present moment, they discover that the true magic of mochi lies not only in its delicious taste but also in the bonds of family and the memories that endure.