Book Review :: Here in the Real Word, by Sara Pennypacker

Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker
ISBN: 0008371695
on 2020-02-04
Genres: Middle Grade
Pages: 308
Source: HarperCollins NZ
Find at Harper Collins NZ
Goodreads

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?

Last updated on 16 October 2021

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase with one of these links, I recieve a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read the full Affiliate Policy.

My thoughts on Here in the Real World

While I had never read a Sara Pennypacker book before, I so enjoyed Here in the Real World. I’m not usually one for middle-grade books, only reading one or two in the space of a year, but there was something that was captivating about this one.

Ware is sent off to a summer recreation centre for a few weeks while his parents work double shifts. But during the first week there he discovers he can sneak next door to the ruins of an old church where he meets Jolene, a girl growing papaya plants. The story follows Ware and Jolene as their friendship grows, they start working together to make the churchyard a better garden for Jolene’s plants and even get proactive with a little bird-helping. You’ll have to read the book to find out more.

The characters in this story were so much fun. Jolene is feisty and she knows what she’s doing and why she’s doing it. She works hard and doesn’t let much stand in her way. Ware is quiet; he has a love of medieval times and knights and castles. But he wants to be a better son to his parents and tries to do that, in his own way.

Here in the Real World is only a sweet story about friendship, it’s an important tale about finding out who you are, about being accepted for who you are, and for forging your own path. It’s about looking after nature, it’s about helping your friends, it’s about being yourself even if ‘here in the real world’ things aren’t the way you want or expect.

It’s a short read at only 300-ish pages, but if you’re one for audiobooks then I recommend checking that out too.

Have you read Here in the Real World? What did you think?

---

Thank you to HarperCollins NZ who sent me this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my review, and all opinions and thoughts are my own.