realistic fiction
TRANSCRIPT
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
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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.