Chapter 7: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Defining Contemporary Realistic Fiction

- Realistic fiction has a strong sense of actuality. Its plausible stories are
about people and events that could actually happen
- Portrays the real world in all its dimensions
- Good contemporary Realistic Fiction illuminates life, presenting social
and personal concerns in fully human context as it is experienced
today or in the very recent past
- The line between contemporary and historical is ever shifting and
understood by readers of different ages
- Books written about life in the late 20th and early 21st century are
considered contemporary realistic fiction
- Do not solve complex problems with easy answers, instead, reflect the
issues and problems that society is concerned with today
History
- Important to note the aspects of this genre become dated
- Purpose of the stories in childrens literature change from educational
to recreational and back
- Books for boys and girls differed
Considering Quality
- The story exemplifies characteristics of excellence in narrative fiction
- A vivid, realistic setting supports the events of the story
- The characters are credible and not stereotypes
- The main characters are multidimensional, and they change and
develop over time
- The problems are believable and are solved in realistic, culturally
grounded ways
- The intended age group can understand the plot structure
- There is a theme that is intrinsic to the story and applicable to readers
lives.
- The dialogue and thoughts of the characters sound natural, with
dialect and diction that reflect the setting and characters but do not
overwhelm the reader
Ways to thinking about Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Popular formats
o Transitional Chapter Books in Series
o Picture books and novels
o Novels in verse
o Graphic Novels
- Distinctive types
 o Adventure and survival stories
o Animal stories
o Mysteries and thrillers
o Sports stories
- Themes
o Growing up
o Peer relationships
o Family relationships
Contemporary Realistic Fiction in classroom
- Incorporate in thematic units
- Building on students interests
- Curricular demands by making available numerous appropriate and
timely books
- Helps students learn about others (cultures, lifestyles)