A review by ccmik
Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker

4.0

Just an excellent modern middle-grade novel. I wish this book had existed when I was a kid, but I guess it says a lot about it that I enjoyed it plenty as an adult. I first picked it up because I wanted something light and easy to read for a change of pace, because I wanted to see what a modern middle grade novel even sounded like, and most of all because Jon Klassen, one of my favorite current illustrators did the beautiful cover art so I figured that was a pretty good endorsement as well. A very appealing and uplifting, but not saccharine story that doesn't water down its language and themes and seemed to nail the main character, Ware's 11-year-old perspective while also having very dimensional characters all around. Felt like it belongs in the same universe as my friend's (more mature content) novel [b:The Treasure Hunter|53240997|The Treasure Hunter|Christian Cholcher|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587507315l/53240997._SY75_.jpg|80646660].