1. Chapter 8 Realistic Fiction

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. From New Realism to Diverse Perspectives
After WWII fiction about and written by a diverse population began to appear.
Are contemporary books too realistic?

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Categories Continued Series Books
Multicultural/International - A Step from Heaven

11. 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

12. Criteria for Evaluating and Selecting Realistic Fiction
Do the characters resemble real people
Are the events plausible
Will children readily grasp the insights and are they lead by action and not the author’s explicit instruction
Are the descriptions of people accurate, given the historical and social setting

13. Criteria Continued
Does the plot avoid the manipulative devices of sentimentality and sensationalism
Is the style pleasing, engaging
Is the plot resolution believable - not contrived to end in a certain way
Is the story imaginative or original
Do the events, descriptions or styles of speech demean people

14. Criteria Continued
Does the author avoid being condescending to children
Does it give children something to think about