No empire-line dresses, no three-headed aliens, no smug vampires, no goblins, and no talking rabbits. Real characters making tough decisions about life right now.
	The crossover by Kwame Alexander (2014)
	I am not Esther by Fleur Beale (1998) First book in the I am not Esther series
	Lion by Saroo Brierley (2013)
	My life with the liars by Caela Carter (2016)
	Boy by Roald Dahl (1984) First book in his autobiographical series
	The happiest refugee by Anh Do (2010)
	Out of my mind by Sharon M. Draper (2010)
	Parvana by Deborah Ellis (2000) First book in The breadwinner series
	The heaven shop by Deborah Ellis (2004)
	Joey Pigza swallowed the key by Jack Gantos (1998) First book in the Joey Pigza series
	Two weeks with the queen by Morris Gleitzman (1989)
	Refugee  by Alan Gratz (2017)
	Spilled water by Sally Grindley (2004)
	Ugly by Robert Hoge (2015)
	A song only I can hear by Barry Jonsberg (2018)
	See you at Harry's by Jo Knowles (2012)
	Trash by Andy Mulligan (2010)
	Journey to Jo'burg by Beverley Naidoo (1985) First book in the Journey to Jo'burg series
	Wonder by R.J. Palacio (2012) First book in the Wonder series
	My sister lives on the mantlepiece by Annabel Pitcher (2011)
	Feather boy by Nicky Singer (2002)
	Smart by Kim Slater (2014)
	Drums, girls, and dangerous pie by Jordan Sonnenblick (2004)
	Other words for home by Jasmine Warga (2019)
	Lockie Leonard, human torpedo by Tim Winton (1990) First book in the Lockie Leonard series
	Refugee boy by Benjamin Zephaniah (2001)
	The chicken dance by Jacques Couvillon (2007)
	The wanderer by Sharon Creech (2000)
	George by Alex Gino (2015)
	Misery guts by Morris Gleitzman (1991) First book in the Misery guts series
	When friendship followed me home by Paul Griffin (2016)
	Being black 'n chicken, and chips by Matt Okine (2021)
	The dogs of winter by Bobbie Pyron (2012)
	Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave (2011)