9 Top realistic fiction books like Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds

Cover of Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds

Ain't Burned All the Bright

By: Jason Reynolds

4.42

Format: 384 pages, Hardcover

Prepare yourself for something unlike anything: A smash-up of art and text for teens that viscerall…

"What is life in a house underwater?"

-Jason Reynolds, Ain't Burned All the Bright

"What is life in a house underwater?"

-Jason Reynolds, Ain't Burned All the Bright

"...and freedom to play without worry about the rules being rearranged"

-Jason Reynolds, Ain't Burned All the Bright

"...and freedom to play without worry about the rules being rearranged"

-Jason Reynolds, Ain't Burned All the Bright

If you liked the realistic fiction plot in Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds , here is a list of 9 books like this:

Cover of Attack of the Black Rectangles by Amy Sarig King

1. Attack of the Black Rectangles

By: Amy Sarig King

4.21

Format: 258 pages, Hardcover

When Mac first opens his classroom copy of Jane Yolen's The Devil's Arithmetic and finds some words… read more

Similar categories in Amy Sarig King's Attack of the Black Rectangles book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • realistic fiction
  • young adult
  • fiction
  • family
  • contemporary
"Why do they treat kids like we don't mean anything?"

-Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

"If you're comfortable learning history, it's the wrong history."

-Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

"I love banned books. I used to read as many to you as I could when you were little, Mac."

-Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

"But if we want to change the world so it's good for everyone, it's important to talk about the truth."

-Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

Cover of Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

2. Freewater

By: Amina Luqman-Dawson

4.18

Format: 416 pages, Hardcover

A middle-grade novel about two enslaved children’s escape from a plantation and the many ways they … read more

Similar categories in Amina Luqman-Dawson's Freewater book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • fiction
  • young adult
"Lord only knows how many of us they keep from running. How many of us stay in these hateful places out of love. I used to think it was from scaring us - beating, cutting, or whipping us that did it. …"

-Amina Luqman-Dawson, Freewater

Cover of Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

3. Swim Team

By: Johnnie Christmas

4.28

Format: 248 pages, Paperback

Bree can't wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Mana… read more

Similar categories in Johnnie Christmas's Swim Team book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • graphic novels
  • realistic fiction
  • young adult
  • fiction
  • contemporary
Cover of Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Zoboi

4. Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler

By: Ibi Zoboi

4.09

Format: 128 pages, Hardcover

From the New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, a biography in verse a… read more

Similar categories in Ibi Zoboi's Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • poetry
Cover of A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

5. A First Time for Everything

By: Dan Santat

4.39

Format: 320 pages, Hardcover

A middle grade graphic memoir based on bestselling author and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's awkwa… read more

Similar categories in Dan Santat's A First Time for Everything book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • graphic novels
Cover of Abuela, Don't Forget Me by Rex Ogle

6. Abuela, Don't Forget Me

By: Rex Ogle

4.50

Format: 208 pages, Hardcover

In his memoir Free Lunch, Rex Ogle’s abuela features as a source of love and support. In this compa… read more

Similar categories in Rex Ogle's Abuela, Don't Forget Me book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • poetry
  • teen
  • family
"These are my words! They matter! Hit me all you want. I will write. These are my words. They do matter. And she did hit me, all she wanted. But I wrote. And I still write. I will always write. No one…"

-Rex Ogle, Abuela, Don't Forget Me

"She may forget. And one day, I may forget too. But for now, the memories are captured, like insects in amber, ready to survive for millions of years. My memories...are written in words and verses and…"

-Rex Ogle, Abuela, Don't Forget Me

Cover of Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds

7. Ain't Burned All the Bright

By: Jason Reynolds

4.42

Format: 384 pages, Hardcover

Prepare yourself for something unlike anything: A smash-up of art and text for teens that viscerall… read more

Similar categories in Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • poetry
  • art
  • teen
  • graphic novels
  • realistic fiction
  • young adult
  • social justice
  • fiction
  • contemporary
  • family
"What is life in a house underwater?"

-Jason Reynolds, Ain't Burned All the Bright

"...and freedom to play without worry about the rules being rearranged"

-Jason Reynolds, Ain't Burned All the Bright

"...and she wipes weary from her eyes still glued to the no-good glued to the high definition glare of low-definition life"

-Jason Reynolds, Ain't Burned All the Bright

"And I'm sitting here wondering why my mother won't change the channel and why the news won't change the story and why the story won't change into something new instead of the every-hour rerun about h…"

-Jason Reynolds, Ain't Burned All the Bright

Cover of Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín

8. Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir

By: Pedro Martín

4.27

Format: 320 pages, Hardcover

A poignant, hilarious, and unforgettable graphic memoir about a Mexican-American boy’s family and t… read more

Similar categories in Pedro Martín's Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • graphic novels
  • family
"It was like the driveway at Disneyland but with way more automatic weapons."

-Pedro Martín, Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir

"I like to say that my stories are 100% true 90% of the time. My memory and my heart like to play tricks on each other. The results are what makes my stories."

-Pedro Martín, Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir

Cover of Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

9. Simon Sort of Says

By: Erin Bow

4.31

Format: 320 pages, Hardcover

Simon O’Keeffe’s biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a ho… read more

Similar categories in Erin Bow's Simon Sort of Says book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • realistic fiction
  • young adult
  • fiction
  • family
  • contemporary
"Dad picks Denver [to get his rabies shots], and he's totally fine, but he's going to be away for three days. "Just like Jesus," Mom says. I can hear the phone say, "Isobel!"

-Erin Bow, Simon Sort of Says

"In the tabernacle did the [squirrel]--" "Eat the Host?" says Dad. "Yes he did." "And was it--" "Consecrated?" says Dad. "Yes it was." ... "What, uh, happened to the squirrel?" "That squirrel is now 3…"

-Erin Bow, Simon Sort of Says

"The dog- Todd?- looks up from its leaking beer, puffs a sigh, then crosses the room to head-butt the fridge door closed. "Ummm" I manage "Did you see he got a--" "It's okay," she says. "He only has o…"

-Erin Bow, Simon Sort of Says

Cover of Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy

10. Huda F Are You?

By: Huda Fahmy

4.17

Format: 192 pages, Paperback

From the creator of Yes, I'm Hot In This, this cheeky, hilarious, and honest graphic novel asks the… read more

Similar categories in Huda Fahmy's Huda F Are You? book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • teen
  • graphic novels
  • young adult
  • fiction
  • contemporary
"Use your hijab, woman! Cover that forehead!"

-Huda Fahmy, Huda F Are You?

"I swear if we end up getting joint weddings, we're running away."

-Huda Fahmy, Huda F Are You?

Cover of Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

11. Frizzy

By: Claribel A. Ortega

4.48

Format: 224 pages, Paperback

A middle grade graphic novel about Marlene, a young girl who stops straightening her hair and embra… read more

Similar categories in Claribel A. Ortega's Frizzy book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • graphic novels
  • realistic fiction
  • young adult
  • fiction
  • contemporary
  • family
"We learn things from our parents, who learn things from their parents, who learned that from their parents. It doesn't make those things okay to believe..."

-Claribel A. Ortega, Frizzy

Cover of Chaos Theory by Nic Stone

12. Chaos Theory

By: Nic Stone

4.16

Format: 288 pages, Hardcover

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin, delivers a gripping romance about two tee… read more

Similar categories in Nic Stone's Chaos Theory book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • teen
  • realistic fiction
  • young adult
  • fiction
  • contemporary
  • family
Cover of Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

13. Invisible

By: Christina Diaz Gonzalez

4.16

Format: 208 pages, Paperback

For fans of Twins and Allergic, a must-have graphic novel about five very different students who ar… read more

Similar categories in Christina Diaz Gonzalez's Invisible book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • graphic novels
  • realistic fiction
  • young adult
  • fiction
  • contemporary
Cover of Me: Moth by Amber McBride

14. Me: Moth

By: Amber McBride

4.07

Format: 256 pages, Hardcover

A debut YA novel-in-verse that is both a coming-of-age and a ghost story. Moth has lost her fami… read more

Similar categories in Amber McBride's Me: Moth book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • poetry
  • fiction
  • young adult
  • contemporary
"Most of the founding fathers were like that; they spoke of freedom but did not offer it to everyone. They had bodies in their closets."

-Amber McBride, Me: Moth

"Places we decide to stop. Monticello Plantation, Charlottesville, Virginia: Where Thomas Jefferson committed several sins; we go to stomp on hateful plantation ground."

-Amber McBride, Me: Moth

Cover of Inheritance: A Visual Poem by Elizabeth Acevedo

15. Inheritance: A Visual Poem

By: Elizabeth Acevedo

4.49

Format: 46 pages, Hardcover

They tell me to "fix" my hair. And by fix, they mean straighten, they mean whiten; but how do… read more

Similar categories in Elizabeth Acevedo's Inheritance: A Visual Poem book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • poetry
  • teen
  • graphic novels
  • young adult
  • contemporary
Cover of Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith

16. Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice

By: Tommie Smith

4.46

Format: 208 pages, Hardcover

On October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold … read more

Similar categories in Tommie Smith's Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • graphic novels
  • social justice
Cover of The Door of No Return (The Door of No Return, #1) by Kwame Alexander

17. The Door of No Return (The Door of No Return, #1)

By: Kwame Alexander

4.32

Format: 432 pages, Hardcover

An instant #1 New York Times Bestseller! From the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award win… read more

Similar categories in Kwame Alexander's The Door of No Return (The Door of No Return, #1) book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • poetry
  • family
  • fiction
  • young adult
"A family tie is like the river. It can bend, but it cannot break."

-Kwame Alexander, The Door of No Return (The Door of No Return, #1)

Cover of Sunshine: A Graphic Novel by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

18. Sunshine: A Graphic Novel

By: Jarrett J. Krosoczka

4.55

Format: 240 pages, Hardcover

The extraordinary--and extraordinarily powerful--follow-up to HEY, KIDDO. When Jarrett J. Krosoc… read more

Similar categories in Jarrett J. Krosoczka's Sunshine: A Graphic Novel book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • graphic novels
  • teen
  • family
Cover of Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

19. Louder Than Hunger

By: John Schu

4.55

Format: 528 pages, Hardcover

Revered teacher, librarian, and story ambassador John Schu explores anorexia—and self-expression as… read more

Similar categories in John Schu's Louder Than Hunger book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • poetry
  • realistic fiction
  • young adult
  • family
  • fiction
Cover of Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango

20. Iveliz Explains It All

By: Andrea Beatriz Arango

4.19

Format: 272 pages, Library Binding

How do you speak up when it feels like no one is listening? One girl takes on seventh grade while f… read more

Similar categories in Andrea Beatriz Arango's Iveliz Explains It All book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • poetry
  • realistic fiction
  • young adult
  • fiction
  • contemporary
  • family
"and it's important to stop, be kind to ourselves, and ask for help- ask for love."

-Andrea Beatriz Arango, Iveliz Explains It All

"But you have to be somewhere I can find. You understand? Somewhere I can find. I nod, because I know what he is saying and what he is not saying. He can't find me if I'm not here. (p. 113 of the hard…"

-Andrea Beatriz Arango, Iveliz Explains It All

"I am not okay, and sometimes I wish people wouldn't believe me when I say I am. I wish they would ask, just one more time, and I wish they wouldn't tiptoe around me like I'm a poem, so I could show t…"

-Andrea Beatriz Arango, Iveliz Explains It All

Cover of Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement (Caldecott Honor Book) by Angela Joy

21. Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement (Caldecott Honor Book)

By: Angela Joy

4.66

Format: 64 pages, Hardcover

A picture book biography of the mother of Emmett Till, and how she channeled grief over her son's d… read more

Similar categories in Angela Joy's Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement (Caldecott Honor Book) book and Jason Reynolds's Ain't Burned All the Bright

  • social justice

13 Best fiction books like Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds

Transform Your Habits

Attack of the Black Rectangles

Amy Sarig King

4.21

Transform Your Habits

Freewater

Amina Luqman-Dawson

4.18

Transform Your Habits

Swim Team

Johnnie Christmas

4.28

Transform Your Habits

Ain't Burned All the Bright

Jason Reynolds

4.42

View all the books

16 must-read fiction books like Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

Transform Your Habits

Swim Team

Johnnie Christmas

4.28

Transform Your Habits

Allergic

Megan Wagner Lloyd

4.25

Transform Your Habits

Frizzy

Claribel A. Ortega

4.48

Transform Your Habits

Squished: A Graphic Novel

Megan Wagner Lloyd

4.17

View all the books

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