# Realistic Fiction books about schools

**31** realistic fiction books that explore schools, drawn from the US-school assigned-reading canon. Sourced from Common Core exemplars, AP, IB, Cambridge, and 50 state ELA curricula.

**Genre:** Realistic Fiction  ·  **Theme:** schools
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/genre/realistic-fiction/theme/schools
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.
**Primary source — Common Core ELA exemplars:** https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/standards-instruction/appendix-b-text-exemplars-and-sample-performance-tasks.pdf

## Realistic Fiction schools reading list

- [A Fine, Fine School](https://readinglist.school/book/a-fine-fine-school) by Sharon Creech _(Grades K–3 · pub 2001)_
- [After](https://readinglist.school/book/after) by Francine Prose _(Grades 9–12 · pub 2003)_
- [Call Me Hope](https://readinglist.school/book/call-me-hope) by Gretchen Olson _(Grades 3–5 · pub 2007)_
- [Class Clown](https://readinglist.school/book/class-clown) by Johanna Hurwitz _(Grades 3–5 · pub 1987)_
- [Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa](https://readinglist.school/book/cowgirl-kate-and-cocoa) by Erica Silverman _(Grades 2–3 · pub 2005)_
- [Daphne's Book](https://readinglist.school/book/daphnes-book) by Mary Downing Hahn _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1983)_
- [Each Kindness](https://readinglist.school/book/each-kindness) by Jacqueline Woodson _(Grades 3–8 · pub 2012)_
- [Eight Keys](https://readinglist.school/book/eight-keys) by Suzanne M. LaFleur _(Grades 4–6 · pub 2011)_
- [Flying Solo](https://readinglist.school/book/flying-solo) by Ralph J. Fletcher _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1998)_
- [Fourth Grade Rats](https://readinglist.school/book/fourth-grade-rats) by Jerry Spinelli _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1991)_
- [Herbie's Troubles](https://readinglist.school/book/herbies-troubles) by Carol Chapman _(Grades K–3 · pub 1981)_
- [If You Come Softly](https://readinglist.school/book/if-you-come-softly) by Jacqueline Woodson _(Grades 9–12 · pub 1998)_
- [Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key](https://readinglist.school/book/joey-pigza-swallowed-the-key) by Jack Gantos _(Grades 6–8 · pub 1998)_
- [Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse](https://readinglist.school/book/lillys-purple-plastic-purse) by Kevin Henkes _(Grades K–3 · pub 1996)_
- [Math Curse](https://readinglist.school/book/math-curse) by Jon Scieszka _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1995)_
- [Miss Nelson Has a Field Day](https://readinglist.school/book/miss-nelson-has-a-field-day) by Harry Allard _(Grades K–3 · pub 1985)_
- [Miss Nelson Is Back](https://readinglist.school/book/miss-nelson-is-back) by Harry Allard _(Grades K–3 · pub 1982)_
- [Mr. Lincoln's Way](https://readinglist.school/book/mr-lincolns-way) by Patricia Polacco _(Grades 3–8 · pub 2001)_
- [Mr. Tanen's Ties](https://readinglist.school/book/mr-tanens-ties) by Maryann Cocca-Leffler _(Grades K–3 · pub 1999)_
- [Never Spit on Your Shoes](https://readinglist.school/book/never-spit-on-your-shoes) by Denys Cazet _(Grades K–3 · pub 1990)_
- [Ramona's World](https://readinglist.school/book/ramonas-world) by Beverly Cleary _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1999)_
- [Rotten Teeth](https://readinglist.school/book/rotten-teeth) by Laura Simms _(Grades K–3 · pub 1998)_
- [Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You](https://readinglist.school/book/sixth-grade-can-really-kill-you) by Barthe DeClements _(Grades 3–8 · pub 1985)_
- [Spying on Miss Müller](https://readinglist.school/book/spying-on-miss-m-ller) by Eve Bunting _(Grades 6–8 · pub 1995)_
- [Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes](https://readinglist.school/book/staying-fat-for-sarah-byrnes) by Chris Crutcher _(Grades 9–12 · pub 1993)_
- [Tears of A Tiger](https://readinglist.school/book/tears-of-a-tiger) by Sharon M. Draper _(Grades 9–12 · pub 1994)_
- [The Cat Ate My Gymsuit](https://readinglist.school/book/the-cat-ate-my-gymsuit) by Paula Danziger _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1974)_
- [The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School](https://readinglist.school/book/the-gingerbread-man-loose-in-the-school) by Laura Murray _(Grades K–3 · pub 2010)_
- [The Girl Who Could Fly](https://readinglist.school/book/the-girl-who-could-fly) by Victoria Forester _(Grades 4–6 · pub 2008)_
- [The Perfect Score](https://readinglist.school/book/the-perfect-score) by Rob Buyea _(Grades 3–8 · pub 2017)_
- [The Toll-Bridge Troll](https://readinglist.school/book/the-toll-bridge-troll) by Patricia Rae Wolff _(Grades K–3 · pub 1995)_

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_Generated from primary-source citations indexed on ReadingList.school. HTML view: https://readinglist.school/genre/realistic-fiction/theme/schools._