Homeschool Fever

About this Genre: Realistic Fiction is based in actuality and realism. It is about people, places and events that could actual exist and happy in our earthly realm.

Importance: This genre lets children easily live the events that happen and compare themselves to the human character presented. It gives an intense connection to the lives unfurling in the book and children sometimes feel the character thinks and acts just like they personally do. It also helps us reflect on life, and illuminates lifestyles that are different from our own.

Criteria to use when evaluating books from this genre:

Meets criteria for excellence in narrative fiction
Vivid realistic setting that supports the events of the story
Characters are credible and nonstereotypical
Main characters are multidimensional; they change and develop over time
Problems are believable and solved in realistic, culturally grounded ways
Intended age group can understand the plot structure
Theme is applicable to children’s lives and is intrinsic to the story
Dialog and thoughts of characters sound natural; dialect / diction are not overwhelming

Major awards associated with this genre:

Children’s Book Award; Michael Printz Award

Fun Idea!

Considering Parents: Have the children think about the parents portrayed in the story, asking them about the mother and father, descriptions of what they are like, how the parent-child relationship seems, and compare their own parents to the ones presented

Why I think using this genre in the classroom is important:

This genre is very important because it gives children a reality basis for which to learn about and solve problems presented in their daily life. Reading about how a fictional 2nd grader handles bully problems gives them insight into how to handle their own bullies.