CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION:

Contemporary realistic fiction contains literary works that are believable

and set in the modern world. These works of fiction are believable in

nature and contain characters who could potentially be real people. When

it comes to the story and plot of this type of fiction, the story that has been

crafted, while it is made up and false, could potentially take place.

· Rooted in the Realm of Reality·

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Are there engaging and true-to-life, well-rounded characters who are both wise and foolish while they are

growing and changing?

Is there an accurate reflection of the human condition and contemporary life without stereotyping?

Is there a sensitivity to all people regardless of sex or sexual orientation, race, religion, age, socioeconomic

level, social group, or culture?

Does the plot appeal to young adults; address the challenges, hopes, and fears as well as the problems faced

by contemporary adolescents; and offer hope for the future?

Does the plot ask young adults to consider or reconsider their own values and beliefs, inspire without providing

“handy resolutions” (Aronson, 2001, p. 119), and not talk down to readers or tell them what to think?

Is the setting believable?

Is there an appropriate treatment of violence that never glamorizes violence, records it more graphically than

necessary, or includes it gratuitously?

Does the language accurately reflect the characters as well as their educational status, social class, culture,

and the place in which they live?

KEY AUTHORS:

Eve Bunting – Smokey Night

Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid

John Green – The Fault in Our Stars

Judy Finchler – Miss Malarkey Doesn’t Live in Room 10

Katherine Paterson – Bridge to Terabithia

Laurie Halse Anderson – Speak

Louis Sachar – Holes

Patricia Polacco – Thank You Mr. Falker

EXAMPLES:

Testing Miss Malarkey by Judy Finchler• Follows a teacher and her class as they get ready for the

big standardized test at the end of the year• Kids today can relate it to PARCC and MSA testing• Realistic illustrations, classroom and playgrounds look as

they do in today’s society

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad, Day by Judith Viorst

• Published in 1972, but still relatable to children in today’s society

• Follows a boy on his terrible, horrible day • Children today can relate their bad days • Some of the things in the book happen to children today

EXAMPLES:

Sunflower House by Eve Bunting• Focuses on how magical summer can be for children

playing in nature and admiring what’s around them• Young readers can relate to playing with friends in the

summer and letting their imagination run wild• Portrays the idea of imaginary play houses and growing

things

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen• Follows a girl and her father during the night searching

for owls• Represents the bond between a child and their

caregivers• Animal explorations

EXAMPLES:

The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania• Focuses on two best friends and their opinions of each

other’s sandwiches.• This book shows how fast gossip can spread and the

lesson that words hurt.• Young readers can relate to this book if they have been

in an argument with someone they are close with, such as a best friend.

An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco

• Focuses family and the love that holds them all together.

• Relates to young readers-Traditions, Memories, Family

EXAMPLES:

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson• Two young girls who want to be friends, but are dealing with

the segregation between Caucasians and African Americans • It contains a setting that portrays actual issues in the world

today• Imitates a scenario that could have actually happened

during this time period A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech

• The principle thinks his school is such a fine school, so he decides to make school in session on Saturdays, Sundays, during the summer, and on holidays.

• The idea of students going to school year around has been presented and brought up in the school system today

• The characters behavior in the book imitates how people would react to a situation like this in real life

EXAMPLES:

Adele & Simon by Barbara McClintock • About a brother and sister’s adventure home from

school• Adele is frustrated that Simon is carefree and

careless • Drawings are true representations of Paris

A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech• Tillie has to go to school everyday, year round• Doesn’t enjoy going to school that often• Wants to play with her brother and explore her own

interests instead

WORKS CITED

http://www.education.com/reference/article/charac

teristics-good-realistic-fiction/

http://www.goodreads.com/

http://

highered.mheducation.com/sites/0073378569/studen

t_view0/chapter9/evaluation_guides.html

http://kotekchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/p/cont

emporary-realistic-fiction.html