REALISTIC FICTION

Katelyn Hansen and Kari Adams

Realistic Fiction is…

Sometimes called the problem novel and uses plots, themes, settings, and characters to reflect the world as we know it.

OR An imaginative writing that accurately

reflects life as it was lived in the past or could be lived today.

Common Themes in Realistic Fiction Change the randomness of the world

into meaningful patterns Mirror the real world Believable Hold literary qualities Confront subjects

Benefits of Realistic Fiction

The reader can identify with the characters

Allows the reader broadens their interests

Provides the reader to better cope with various emotions.

What makes a good book?

A well-written realistic fiction novel is about people, their problems, and their challenges.

The language and actions should be appropriate for the setting of the story.

The story should be reflective of the culture and social class present in the book.

Overcoming Fears and Accepting Responsibilities

Understanding Families, Divorce, and Adoption

Relationships, Alienation, and Sense of Belonging

Finding Friends:

Accomplishing Goals in Sports

Developing and Maturing

Finding Romance

Coping with Violence, Crime, Alcohol, and Drug Abuse

Living with Physical and Mental Disabilities

Coping with Death, Disease, Accidents, and Suicide

Developing Sexual Relationships

Understanding Sexual Orientation

Understanding the Differences with Growing Old

Prejudice, Politics, Conflicts, and War

Living in a Global Society

Understanding Religion and Its Role in Society

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Carmen: [After trying out a bridesmaid

dress for the wedding]…And you know what, Lydia? Just forget about the dress. We can tell everybody that Carmen’s Puerto Rican. And it never occurred to you she might be built differently. Or that, unlike you and your daughter, she has an ass that the tailor didn’t have enough bolts of material to cover, or better yet, just tell everyone there is no Carmen. Carmen doesn’t exist!

The Outsiders

Ponyboy: Darry hit me! I swear, we used to get along just fine until Mom and Dad died. Now he can’t stand me.

Johnny: I think I like it better when the old man’s hittin’ me. At least he knows I’m there.

Bridge to Terebithia

Internet Resources

Realistic Fiction Book List http://www.freedomelschool.com/classes/5/pdfs/Rea

listicFiction%208%20List.pdf This is a list of a wide variety of realistic fiction

books that includes title, author and lexile. The ALAN Review

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/spring98/andrews.html

The ALAN Review has a listing of children’s and adolescent books written about difference. The topics range from physical and learning disabilities to seizure disorders. There are also books written by parents that have children with disabilities as well as autobiographic works.

YALSA’s Realistic Fiction List http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/trw/

trw2005/fiction.cfm YALSA has a concise annotated bibliography of realistic

fiction for young adults listed. TES Connect

http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Realistic-Fiction-6084376/

A short video clip with author Jacqueline Woodson examining what realistic fiction is through examples of her works.

Education.com http://www.education.com/reference/article/characteristics-

good-realistic-fiction/ An article on what makes a good realistic fiction book. An

excellent article to read prior to purchasing books for children and young adults.

A Quick Guide to Contemporary and Historical Realistic Fiction http://www.mindspring.com/~stct42/edu/

cont_his.html A quick glance at what how most realistic

fiction is divided in two groupings of contemporary and historical. There is also a listing of book lists for both

Realistic Fiction for Boys http://www.ascpl.lib.oh.us/internetresources/chl

/booklists/Realistic.pdf

A listing of realistic fiction for boys Grades 1-8.

Bibliography Monster. [Online image] Available https://lawarehouse.wikispaces.com/file/view/monster.jpg, 9/7/2011. Because of Winn Dixie [Online image] Available

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61TKZB4Z1XL._SL500_AA300_.jpg, 9/7/2011. Stuck in Neutral . [Online image] Available

http://mrstrottersfavorites.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/stuck-in-neutral.jpg, 9/7/2011. Remembering Mog Rodowsky . [Online image] Available

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514RE0VP0QL._SL500_AA300_.jpg, 9/7/2011 A Summer to Die . [Online image] Available http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/15200000/15209853.JPG, 9/7/2011 True Believer . [Online image] Available http://halbookblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/true-believer01.jpg,

9/7/2011. True Believer . [Online image] Available http://www.silentboys.org/books/images/river_boy_02a.jpg, 9/7/2011. River Boy . [Online image] Available http://www.quesper.com/rcacontent/Homeless_files/Homeless%20Bird.jpg,

9/7/2011. Miracles Boys . [Online image] Available http://www1.alibris-static.com/cover/t66279hmloq.jpg, 9/7/2011. Cuba 15 . [Online image] Available http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166159892l/10431.jpg - cuba 15, 9/7/2011. Learning the Game . [Online image] Available http://i43.tower.com/images/mm100198949/learning-game-kevin-

waltman-paperback-cover-art.jpg, 9/7/2011. Alice, I Think . [Online image] Available http://img.amazon.ca/images/I/41QE0ACZJVL._SL500_AA300_.jpg, 9/7/2011. Stargirl . [Online image] Available http://chloemise.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/stargirl.gif, 9/7/2011. Leaving Fishers. [Online image} Available http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/14780000/14783977.JPG, 9/7/2011. Rodger, M. “Bridge to Terabithia Scence – God.” 23 September 2008.

http://www.youtube.com/v/vsoxuzt91wc&feature=related, Online video clip. YouTube. Accessed on 07 September 2011.

 Hinton, S. E. Outsiders. New York: Penguin, 1995. Print. Brashares, Ann. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Book 1. NY: Delacorte, 2001. Print.