Illustrated by Edward Frascino. Contemporary settings intrigue many beginning readers. Books for younger readers focus on younger issues. Three contemporary-setting authors add to their very popular series. Marion Markham's Dixon twins take on another mystery as the two defend the class trickster in The April Fool's Day Mystery.
Realistic novels come in older more sensitive levels, too.
Many are written for children who have the maturity to understand more poignant issues, but don't have the ability to read longer books. These novellas should be pre-read by parents and can often make a wonderful forum for discussion. Carolyn Polese's Promise Not to Tell focuses on a young girl who is sexually assaulted and faces her fears of emotional and physical threats before she is able to escape the misery of secret. The molester is not a family member or friend and for that reason might be read by any child to protect them from the experience. Again, his is a book that ought to be discussed with a parent.