Reflections of Life: A Contemporary Realistic Fiction Journey

1. Contemporary Realistic Fiction By: Shatoya Wilburn & Genny Sneed

2. What is Contermporary Realistic Fiction • 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

3. The Values of Contemporary Realistic Fiction 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

4. Values Continued • 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.

5. How It Works! 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.

6. 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 people They live in a place that could be real They participate in plausible series of events They are presented with a dilemma that is of the readers interest. How It Works!

7. Categories of Realistic Fiction The most popular categories of realistic fiction for children are: • Humor • Mysteries • Stories about survival

8. Humor • 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

9. Mysteries • 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

10. Stories about Survival • 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

11. Other Categories • Self-Discovery and Growing Up • Families • Interpersonal Relationships

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

13. Realistic Fiction Authors • 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