Realistic Fiction

What is Realistic Fiction?

• Presents moral challenges in a here-and-now setting
• Derived from actual circumstances
• Realistic settings and characters
• Problems and possibilities that are within the range of possibilities
• Problems raise moral questions
Characters
• Resemble real people
• Live in a place that is or could be real
• Participate in a plausible, if not probable, series of events
• Presented with a dilemma that is of interest to children
• Discover a realistic solution
Value of Realistic Fiction
• Feel that they are not alone
• Learn to reflect on their choices
• Develop empathy for other people
• See life experiences beyond their own
• Take a humorous, enjoyable look at life
• See themselves reflected in literature
Evolution
• 1719 Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
• 1826 Cooper, Last of the Mohicans
• 1868 Alcott, Little Women
Horatio Alger, Ragged Dick
• 1890’s Twain, Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn
• Black Beauty, Secret Garden, Pollyannna, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew
Categories
• Self Discovery, Growing Up - Dear Mr. Henshaw
• Families - Shiloh, Joey Pigza Looses Control
• Interpersonal Relations - Harriet the Spy
• School - Nothing but the Truth
• Sports - The Moves Make the Man
Categories Continued
• Nature and Animals - Dogsong
• Survival - Hatchet, Julie of the Wolves
• Romance & Sexuality - Absolutely Normal Chaos
• Exceptional Children - Summer of the Swans
• Moral Dilemmas & Responsiblity
Categories Continued
• Social Diversity & Society - Yolanda’s Genius
• Death and Dying - Bridge to Terabithia
• Mystery Books - The Westing Game, From the Mixed-up Files of …..
• Humorous Books - Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Categories Continued
• Series Books
• Multicultural/International - A Step from Heaven
How Realistic Fiction Works
• Makes reader believe that what is described might really happen
• Details are very meaningful and makes the plot believable
• Must help the reader find significance and purpose in life
• Encourages one way of seeing events more so than any other - gives a
slant
• Point of view creates the slant