Realistic Fiction

Be Particular!
Realistic fiction is a great way to get students involved and connected to other peoples lives. Students can easily relate and react to the complex problems and situations which often the central focus of this genre. Due to the emotional ties that are often created by these books, it is important to choose quality literature. Elements to consider:

• Characters, setting, and experiences should be believable
• Language and actions used in story should be reflective of the culture and social class which they live
• Writing should be objective and not stereotypical
•  Sensitivity to all people regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, socioeconomic level, social group and culture
• Challenge readers to learn the importance of moral and ethical behavior

Due to the, often new, perspective these texts offer, teachers should create activities which help students draw conclusions after considering all the events, facts, and perspectives. Encouragement toward using personal perspective and moral and ethical judgements should also be provided.
These books are also great for reluctant young readers. Often they are fast-paced and begin with hooks that capture readers attentions. When selecting for reluctant readers, choose books which have a limited number of characters, flashbacks, or subplots. More information and ideas about selecting realistic fiction can be found at education.com.

Examples of Quality
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Taking into consideration Lexile level and the CCSS text complexity band, this text is considered appropriate for students in fourth and fifth grade students. However, with considerations of topic and intense emotions it may bring about, I would also highly recommend this text for high school or middle school readers. It might also be great for ESL students. I would recommend this book as a read aloud for grades 4 and 5. Lai provides beautiful and vivid imagery throughout this book. These images can strike up intense emotions among students because it may be a reality for so many students. Much migration to America is happening today. Many refugees are part of our schools and communities. Therefore, this text would be a great addition to help understand stand or relate to the pain refugee students can go through.   Since this book is written in prose, I would also suggest that much discussion about what is going on in the narrators life be used. I believe this will help students make connections. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and plan on making it part of my future classroom.

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
When analyzing the Lexile level compared to the CCSS text complexity, this book is considered an appropriate complex text between 6th and 8th grade. I would agree. This book would be appropriate to be read independently at 7th or 8th grade. If used as a read aloud, I would suggest it for grades 5 and 6. However, I would not go much earlier, due to the gang related content. In this books, themes of friendship, bulling, and integrity in overcoming challenges are described. One unique feature about the book is that a character introduces many vocabulary and definitions to students. Due to that fact that many students experience being bullied, students will easily relate and connect to topics in this book. Hopefully, students will also feel empowered by the integrity which the main characters demonstrate. Overall, I believe this is a story that students would enjoy. However, I would encourage class discussion and small group discussion about bullying and other obstacles faced in this book.