Tangerine

A bit of realistic fiction for you:  Tangerine by Edward Bloor.
       The Fishers have just moved to Lake Windsor, Florida, in the county of Tangerine, from Houston, Texas. Erik Fisher is the family's star child and football perfectionist. He's been known to kick fifty yard field goals, and his father likes to brag about how his son never misses any extra points.  The Erik Fisher Football Dream lives on in both father and son. 
        As told through Erik's little brother's, Paul's, eyes, this story spins a tale of a big-city family making a splash in a little-town pond.  And though Paul plays the part of a second-string goalie for the best soccer team in the county, no one notices.  Paul has been tossed into the shadows in favor of the Erik Fisher Football dream, but he can see what no one else can see.  Will he be able to speak the truth after witnessing his frightening older brother come unhinged?

Yes, this story is a sports story, but it is not a story about sports.  It's a story about a family struggling to pretend that everything's okay.  It's a story about a boy who's trying to figure out where he fits in, even as his older brother scares him to death. It's also a story about finding your voice and telling the world the truth.
       I like the character of Paul because he isn't dynamic.  In the course of the story he doesn't change from a pathetic wimp who lets his brother push him around to a strong hero ready to take on the world.  He always knows who he is, but he can't always find the words to show it.  He isn't a scaredy-cat afraid to show his face who suddenly turns into someone who can face his fears.  It suggests that anyone can do be brave like that.  It suggests that anyone can be strong and close their eyes to the consequences. 
      Edward Bloor's story is most enjoyable because it can build up such a tension at times that you feel like you're running out onto the soccer fields with the War Eagles at your heels yourself.