Chapter 8 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

From New Realism to Diverse Perspectives

• After WWII fiction about and written by a diverse population began to appear.

• Are contemporary books too realistic?

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

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

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

Criteria Continued

• Does the author avoid being condescending to children

• Does it give children something to think about