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    The Children's Book Review

    Here in the Real World, by Sara Pennypacker | Book Spotlight

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze2 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Ages 9-12 Best Kids Stories Books with Boy Characters Novels for Kids and Teens
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    The Children’s Book Review

    What does a hero look like in real life? And what can two misfit kids do?

    From the author of the highly acclaimed, New York Times bestselling novel Pax comes a gorgeous and moving middle-grade novel that is an ode to introverts, dreamers, and misfits everywhere.

     

    Buy the BookHere in the Real World

    Written by Sara Pennypacker

    Publisher’s Synopsis: From the author of the highly acclaimed, New York Times bestselling novel Pax comes a gorgeous and moving middle grade novel that is an ode to introverts, dreamers, and misfits everywhere.

    Ware can’t wait to spend summer “off in his own world”—dreaming of knights in the Middle Ages and generally being left alone. But then his parents sign him up for dreaded Rec camp, where he must endure Meaningful Social Interaction and whatever activities so-called “normal” kids do.

    On his first day Ware meets Jolene, a tough, secretive girl planting a garden in the rubble of an abandoned church next to the camp. Soon he starts skipping Rec, creating a castle-like space of his own in the church lot.

    Jolene scoffs, calling him a dreamer—he doesn’t live in the “real world” like she does. As different as Ware and Jolene are, though, they have one thing in common: for them, the lot is a refuge.

    But when their sanctuary is threatened, Ware looks to the knights’ Code of Chivalry: Thou shalt do battle against unfairness wherever faced with it. Thou shalt be always the champion of the Right and Good—and vows to save the lot.

    But what does a hero look like in real life? And what can two misfit kids do?

    Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Balzer + Bray | February 4, 2020 | ISBN-13: 978-0062698957

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    About the Author

    Sara Pennypacker smiling for the camera
    Sara Pennypacker

    Sara Pennypacker is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pax; the award-winning Clementine books and its spinoff series, Waylon!; and the acclaimed novel Summer of the Gypsy Moths. She divides her time between Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Florida. You can visit her online at www.sarapennypacker.com.

    Facebook: @harpercollinschildrens | Instagram: @HarperKids | Twitter @HarperKids and @sarapennypacker

    What to Read Next:

    1. Here in the Real World, by Sara Pennypacker | Dedicated Review
    2. Ammi-Joan Paquette’s The Train of Lost Things | Meet the Characters
    3. Get To Know Borlen, aka Grump, From Liesl Shurtliff’s ‘Grump’
    4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling | Book Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Sara Pennypacker
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    Next Article Learn to Be Proud of Who You Are: 5 Kids Books That Teach Self-Love and Self-Worth
    Bianca Schulze
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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    23 Comments

    1. John Smith on January 21, 2020 6:57 pm

      “Please tell us why you would love to win this giveaway. Or tell us what a hero looks like in real life to you.” I know she’s a great writer, so I expect this to be really good! And a hero is someone–a person or an animal–who survives adversity and mistreatment and finds triumph or peace in the end.

      Reply
    2. Linda A Gawthrop on January 22, 2020 8:05 am

      My parents are my heroes – both born during the depression and were able to make a comfortable middle class life for my brother and I where we were both able to graduate fro college.

      Reply
    3. Jacquelyn Dodd on January 23, 2020 7:58 pm

      My grandmother is my hero..I have never known someone to be so resiliant and handle every challenge with grace and poise,,,

      Reply
    4. Anne on January 25, 2020 11:59 am

      Thanks for this wonderful feature and giveaway which would be a beautiful treasure for my grandson Max who is an avid reader and appreciates books and learning. A hero is someone with high principles, and values who is determined to strive and succeed. Someone who can withstand difficulties, obstacles and thrive though trials and tribulations in life. My father was faced with hardships when he was a young boy and had to quit school at 14 to provide for his 5 siblings and his widowed mother who was 35. He continued to be a role model to our family and never bent nor broke.

      Reply
    5. Victoria Scott on January 25, 2020 5:55 pm

      This sounds like an awesome read!

      Reply
    6. Nancy Jachcik on January 25, 2020 9:31 pm

      Sounds like a wonderful read A hero is someone who is brave and courageous

      Reply
    7. Barbara on January 26, 2020 9:00 am

      My hero’s were my parents. They were very patient with our large family. Taught us respect and to care for the earth.

      Reply
    8. Nancy on January 28, 2020 6:56 pm

      Sounds good. Terrific cover. My mom was my hero.

      Reply
    9. Kathleen K on January 29, 2020 2:59 pm

      I think heroes come in all shapes and sizes – everything from firefighters to kids sticking up for a bullied classmate. This book looks great!

      Reply
    10. Pingback: Blog Tour here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker | J.R.'s Book Reviews

    11. Anne Loyd on February 3, 2020 5:22 pm

      I would love to win this giveaway as I am always looking for new books to read!

      Reply
    12. Beth T. on February 3, 2020 10:17 pm

      I think there are many different kinds of heroes. What I believe they have in common is they face adversity, whether it is physical danger, emotional distress, or duress, and they triumph. Often they inspire others, although sometimes their victories are private and known only to themselves. Sometimes heroes don’t even know they are living heroic lives; many humble people are like that, thinking that the great things they do are “ordinary”, that “anyone would do that”. Those people set great examples, and I can only imagine how wonderful our country and world would be if everyone followed their example.

      Reply
      • Bianca Schulze on February 4, 2020 1:13 pm

        Yes!

        Reply
    13. gloria patterson on February 15, 2020 5:27 pm

      This would be something that my great great nephew would like

      Reply
    14. gloria patterson on February 16, 2020 3:20 pm

      My great niece and loves her books and I want to win this for her

      Reply
    15. Debra Branigan on February 19, 2020 6:33 am

      I would love to win this giveaway because I have the perfect reader waiting for her next read. She would relate to this book.
      I am finding it hard to find a hero these days. I felt I had a plethora when I was growing up. My family was lucky to have some rather noble characters who demonstrated humility, strength of character, and a enduring sense of hope for the future. I was a lucky child.

      Reply
    16. Laura Renaul on February 19, 2020 1:07 pm

      Looking forward to reading this one. Fan of Sara Pennypacker!

      Reply
    17. gloria patterson on February 19, 2020 4:49 pm

      Or tell us what a hero looks like in real life to you.

      A hero looks like you or me or who ever. A hero can be a toddler who plays quietly while mom gets a nap. Or a hero is crossing guard, or bus driver, or just the person in the next apartment.

      Reply
    18. Susan P. on February 19, 2020 10:46 pm

      A hero is someone who takes that extra step or goes that extra mile to help, with no qualms.

      Reply
    19. Anne Perry on February 20, 2020 6:16 am

      Heroes are everyday people who go out of their way to make someone’s day better.

      Reply
    20. Cathy on February 20, 2020 12:49 pm

      A hero is someone who doesn’t give up–keeps putting one foot in front of the other–to help where help is needed.

      Reply
    21. gloria patterson on February 20, 2020 4:34 pm

      Heck this sounds like something I would read before passing on the my great great nephew.

      Reply
    22. Kelsey Richards on February 21, 2020 6:37 am

      Heroes are people who do what needs to be done even if it’s hard or uncomfortable or scary.

      Reply
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