Here in the Real World

Here in the Real World
Sara Pennypacker
Balzer & Bray, 2020 320 pages
Grades 3-7
Realist Fiction

Ware is a dreamer. He is often lost in his own world and has trouble relating to other kids. Spending the summer at is Grandmother's retirement community while his parents work extra shifts in order to purchase the house they have been renting, Big Deal (grandma) takes a fall that lands her in the hospital--and then rehab. The summer must now be spent at dreaded Rec camp, where the kids are wild and noisy and the teenage councilors force everyone to participate in sports and cheers. While hiding from the other campers, Ware spots an old church that has been abandoned and investigates further. Here he meets a girl his age named Jolene, who is growing produce to sell. The two kids make a tentative deal: Jolene will work on her garden and Ware will help her out in addition to working on the crumbling church-turning it into a medieval castle. Ware is fascinated with knights and the age of chivalry. As the summer progresses, he continues to skip camp, unbeknownst to his parents, and he and Jolene slowly become friends. A new girl who is interested in nature, joins their crew, adding a new environmental mission to the building. Summer cannot go on forever and foreclosed properties are eventually sold. What will happen to the castle, garden, and fledgling friendship? And what will happen when Ware's parents discover what he really spent his summer doing?

Veteran author, Pennypacker, focuses her attention on the dreamers of the world and helps one in particular to find his place. Being a dreamer can be very lonely, especially if you live with pragmatic parents who don't get you and want you to be more like them. At almost twelve years old Ware finds the courage to walk his own path and discovers his true nature along the way, as well as learning that what makes him different makes him wonderful. For many kids going to camp during the summer is fun. For other kids it is torture. My kids both hated going to Rec camp, but they had no choice since I had to work during the day all summer long. If given the chance, both of my girls would have loved an unstructured summer to dream, meet a like-minded friend, and contribute in a positive way to the greater world. I am sure that many young readers out there feel the same way and will find a kindred spirit in Ware. Pennypacker spins a well-written and entertaining story filled with gentle humor, slight mysteries, some tension, an interesting supporting cast, and lots of character growth. Beyond this, she has layered an environmental message, as well as one of understanding the differences in each other and embracing your true nature. Through the guidance of a kind uncle, Ware realizes that he is not a freak, he is an artist. This revelation changes his entire life and he gains the confidence to follow his path. Also, it is refreshing to see kids exploring life independently and unstructured. Many readers will be inspired-and a little jealous.