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Chapter 8 Realistic Fiction

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.

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Chapter 8 Realistic Fiction

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  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

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