INF322T I. Realistic FictionA. A. Imaginative writing that accurately reflects life as it was lived in the past or could belived todayB. • Everything that happens could really happenC. • True to life; convincingD. • Should have all characteristics of good literature (plot, themes, setting)E. • Important that characters are most obvious and memorable aspects of stories A book can fit into more than one category• Ex: where the red fern grows – about survival and animals; Because of Winn Dixie – family, animal B. Three Major Characteristics of Realistic Fiction1. Historical Fiction2. Contemporary Life Stories•Family/ Peers/ The human condition/ Survival• 3. Popular Fictiono • Humorous or funny stories, usually about: o Animalo Sportso Mysterieso SchoolC. Three Values of Realistic Fiction1. Assists children to understand and come to terms with themselves (They aren’t the first ones to face a situation)2. 2. the reader has a security of becoming involved in a situation w/o suffering consequences (can travel in far away place or live in a time past)3. 3. Books that portray the realities of life may help children have better understanding of other people and their situationsII. Contemporary Life Stories Examples:Family: A. Little Women- Louisa May Alcott a. 4 teenage girls living in poverty, physical problems, father gone at war, make it through with their mother and each otheri. Appeals to girls- like the romance as popular in the 1860sii. Overwhelming because it is so lengthyiii. Truly a classic, should be in all librariesB. Books by Beverley Clearya. Younger kidsi. Bridge books- one level over CVRii. Very white-bread family, issues are relevant to most familiesiii. She writes about people, not problemsPeers:- All of us feel a need to be accepted and have a culture to identity witho We all have peers but we try to make them our friendso Are You There God? It is Me Margaret- Judy Blame About acceptance- Wants to be accepted by her friends, questions her religious background- Blume- prolific children writer puts herself in her on characterso Natural dialogueo Molly’s Pilgrim By Barbara Cohen- Story of peer acceptance in urban environment- Molly= Russian Jewish, kids make fun of her - Cohen- advocate for civil liberties- Issue over Bible- Video: Cohen is the crossing guard in the movie- the father says everyone is different Human Condition- Sometimes harder for children to deal with issues than adultso Through Grandpa’s Eyes- Patricia MacLachlan Simple story about young boy, John who spends weekend with his grandparents Says his grandpa has a special way of seeing MacLachlan- wrote Sarah Plain and Tall- writes about things she cares about- Bridge to Terabithia- Katherine Petersono Peterson= outsider Teacher/ won Newberry for Jacob I have Loved  Story of human condition- loss, death, grief 1970s, time of Vietnam War- Gregory Duhlo 13 years Highland Park, Illinois Wrote reviews for Newberry books- put in booklet that sold for 5 dollars He loved to read and wanted children to be aware of the booksSurvival Stories- Julie of the Wolves and Julie- Jean Craighead Georgeo Julie runs away from her Eskimo home, gets lost and must survive with apack of wolveso George, the author- did lots of research on wolves- From Mixed of Files of Mrs. Basil- E.L Konigsburgo Newberry Winner Survival story  All her books deal with discovery/ identity Claudia and James Kinkaid- 2 kids run away from home and hidein a museum- Well developed plotII. Popular Themes in Realistic Fiction- May not be Newberry Winner, but kids are interested in reading, popular category and contemporary fictionA. Humorous Funny Stories-a. Judy Blume- wrote series about Fudge, Amelia Bedila, Miss Nelson Goes MissingB. Animal Storiesa. Provide vicarious experience with animalsi. Maturity, responsibility1. The Yearling- Marjorie Rawlings- story of Jodie’s growth and understanding/ realization of wild deer as a pet 2. Shiloh, Shiloh Season, Saving Shiloh- this is about animal abuse, main-characters name is Marti3. Because of Winn-Dixie- has to do with love of dogC. Sports Storiesa. Fiction but have information about sportsb. Matt Christopher- about 70 books of various sports D. Mysteriousa. Great valuei. Something Queer at the Library 1. Keep us popular cultureii. Encyclopedia Brown- more for young people E. School Storiesi. Amazing Grace- by Mary Hoffman, about school and self-esteem, Grace doesn’t understand why cant be peter pan in the school playii. Video: III. Historical FictionWhy teach these books?- It levels playing field- Teachers time and place- More detailed picture of time- Present complex issues in an understandable way- Promotes multiple perspectives- Connects to curriculumInformational Books- easy, age appropriateness, table of contents, words define it would work for school, etc., context of type of information- Historical Fiction and Poetryo Historical fiction is realistic fiction that is set in the past o Accurately reflects life that was lived in the pastThree Types of Historical Fiction1. Author weaves a fictional story around an actual event or persona. Number the Star2. Fictionalized story set in the past with little or no reference to recorded history3. Historical inaction that is based on actual personal experience in life of the author a. Little House Seriesb. Island of the blue dolphins- Scott O’Dellc. Watsons go to Birminghamd. Book Talk- you don’t just want to summarize the book for kidsi. Take on the character of personaii. What you would want to