• Is derived from actual circumstances, with realistic settings and characters who face problems and opportunities that are within the range of what is possible in real life.

• Contemporary realistic fiction is a mirror of American society

• It is NOT fantasy• The events portrayed in realistic fiction raise

moral questions that a reader might face in real life

Reading realistic fiction can benefit children in several ways:

• Children may come to feel that they are not alone• Children may learn to reflect on the choices in their

own lives• Children may develop empathy for other people• Children may see life experiences beyond their own• Children may take a humorous, enjoyable look at like

• Realistic fiction offers readers the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the literature, as well as the opportunity to see the lives of people with very different lifestyles.

• It offers readers realistic views of the world in which they live.

Realistic fiction is something of a paradox. Readers are meant to believe that a work of realistic fiction is real, while reading it. However it seems to contain contradictions as well.

• Setting- can help depict where a story is located

• Theme- is the issue in realistic fiction

• Plot- makes us believe that what is bring described in the story have really happened.

• Characters- are developed in ways that are conceivable for people in the real world.They resemble real peopleThey live in a place that could be realThey participate in plausible series of eventsThey are presented with a dilemma that is of the readers interest.

The most popular categories of realistic fiction for children are:• Humor

• Mysteries

• Stories about survival

• Humorous books often serve as a release from the more serious topical themes

• These authors are careful not to poke fun at the natural surprises children experience

• Mysteries help promote young readers to look for meaning in the text

• Children enjoy the challenge of following the author’s hints and diversions while seeking a solution to the mystery

• You will often find that they come in a series

• Stories about adventure and survival are often exciting and filled with action while dealing with struggles and overcoming the odds

• You might be surviving tough times (peer issues), life circumstances, or life-threatening situations

• Self-Discovery and Growing Up

• Families

• Interpersonal Relationships

• School• Sports• Nature• Sexuality• Moral Responsibility• Social Diversity• Aging, Death, Dying• Series Books• International Themes• Magical Realism

• Avi• Judy Blume• Eve Bunting• Betsy Byars• Beverly Cleary• Lois Lowry• Phyllis Reynolds Naylor• Katherine Patterson• Gary Paulsen• Cynthia Rylant• Vera Williams• Jacqueline Woodson• Charlotte Zolotow