Here in the Real World

Written by Sara Pennypacker

Narrated by Noah Galvin

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?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Feb 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9780062968401

Sara Pennypacker

Sara Pennypacker is the author of the New York Times bestselling Pax and Pax, Journey Home; the award-winning Clementine series and its spinoff series, Waylon; and the acclaimed novels Summer of the Gypsy Moths and Here in the Real World. She divides her time between Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Florida. You can visit her online at sarapennypacker.com.

Reviews for Here in the Real World

[Becky Baumgartner · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Misfits finding their place through an abandoned lot and unlikely friends. I wish there had been more help for both kids in the end. Narration was great.

[jasmina patel · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It could use a little more adventure. Overall, it was a pretty good book.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Does everything right, but in the end isn't moving or memorable, imo. The most interesting bit for me was the teenage girl, and the way Ware actually liked how she said everything as if it were a question, as it seemed to him that she was inviting a more engaged dialogue.

[grgenius_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a story for all those who have ever felt left of center. This is a tale for all those that followed the beat of their own drummer, often times to the dismay of friends/family, and with mixed results. This is a fictional rendering of many people's lives told with care, compassion, truth...that results in just the right amount of magic for readers of all ages.

I felt SO MUCH for Ware, even when I myself was just learning to love him, and when Uncle Cy arrived, it was like a light bulb just ignited, shining as bright as the sun. With everything going on in his and his family's lives, it was easy for him to get lost along the way...but thanks to a certain precocious and determined young lay, he won't be able to lose his way. True, he won't know exactly where to start, but once he gets on the right path, there'll be no stopping. Same goes for Jolene, actually. She's a complex little lady who only shows as much as she's willing and has big dreams for her own predicament. Their unexpected friendship, their unanticipated project will bring more than a focus on something other than their family problems, but a chance to see themselves as something more than they ever thought they could be; people (albeit children) that can affect change in not only themselves, but the world around them.


**ARC received for review; opinions are my own

[donnamariemerritt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What does a knight look like "here in the real world"—a quiet, introspective one who lives by a code of chivalry and whose own heart hurts if someone else is sad? Meet 11-and-a-half-year-old Ware. He's desperate to turn into the "normal" child he thinks his parents want but also determined to help a new friend with her problem. And that involves deceiving his parents about where he's spending his days all summer when they think he's at the Rec "having meaningful social interactions." It's one of the sweetest middle grade books I've read in some time. While it touches on some intense topics, Ware's innocence and genuine desire to make the world a more equitable place keep the story from becoming too dark. Perfect for grades 4 to 8.

[tehya13 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was originally going to give this 3 1/2 stars because (in my opinion) I thought the beginning was a little slow. But, once I kept reading I realized how nice of a story it was and the "realistic-ness" of the book. The message that "the world is a real place and it isn't always fair" is something to keep in mind always.
Overall, a cute story indeed.