Realistic Fiction

Realistic Fiction
Realistic fiction is made up of stories that
could really happen. Contemporary
realistic fiction is realistic fiction that is
set in modern times.
Realistic Fiction doesn’t have:
• Aliens
• Talking animals
• Life on other planets
• Dragons
• Magic
 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.
 Categories
• Self Discovery, Growing Up
• Families
• School
• Sports
• Nature and Animals
 Categories Continued
• Survival
• Romance
• Exceptional Children
• Moral Dilemmas & Responsibility
• Death and Dying
• Social Diversity & Society
 Criteria for Evaluating and Selecting
Realistic Fiction
• Do the characters resemble real
people?
• Are the events possible?
• Are the descriptions of people accurate,
given the historical and social setting?
1. The Hard Way Out by Terry Vaughn

In this novel, Brian is struggling. After losing both of his

parents in a tragic car accident, Brian is living at his
Aunt's house and sharing a room with his cousin.
Basketball is his only escape. But after getting benched
for low progress report grades, Brian's world shatters.
Does he have it in him to improve his grades? Will Brian
come to peace with his emotions? Can anyone help
him?
The Tinfoil Key by Rob Burnside
When young Ian Bradley accidently switches
suitcases with an intergalactic space explorer,
he ends up going on the trip of a lifetime.
Now that he's left holding the bag, Ian must
deliver it to the light scientists on Gamma
Outpost 9 in time. Every life form in the
galaxy is unknowingly depending on the
success of Ian's efforts.