1. Chapter 9 Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Guiding Questions:
What do teachers need to know about contemporary realistic fiction?
What kinds of books make up contemporary realistic fiction?
How do teachers use contemporary realistic fiction in the classroom?
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9.1
Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: 8e ©2004, 2007, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN:

2. Contemporary Realistic Fiction…
Relies on relevant subjects, everyday occurrences, or extreme realism
Contains characters that act like real people and animals that behave like animals
Reflects the contemporary world as we know it
Demonstrates character development as characters cope with problems such as growing up, family discord, survival, and inner-city tensions
May include self, family members, society, or nature as antagonists
9.2
Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: 8e ©2004, 2007, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN:

3. Evaluating Realistic Fiction
Content is presented honestly
Personal and social values central to our culture are exposed
Authors value readers’ intelligence
Language and syntax should match the characters and situations
Tone should be hopeful
Bias and stereotypes should be avoided
Controversial topics are treated appropriately
9.3
Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: 8e ©2004, 2007, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN:

4. Controversial Issues in Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Sexism
Sexuality
Violence
Profanity
Family problems
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Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: 8e ©2004, 2007, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN:

5. Themes in Realistic Fiction
Family life
Desertion, divorce, remarriage, and single-parent families
Growing up
Peer relationships, physical and emotional changes
Survival
In nature, the inner-city reality, in a dangerous world
Death
People as individuals, not stereotypes
Male/female, individuals who are physically different or have disabilities, the elderly
9.5
Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: 8e ©2004, 2007, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN:

6. Guidelines for Selecting Controversial Fiction
Avoidance of books that contain controversial topics is inappropriate
Know what is considered controversial
Determine the author’s viewpoint, and weigh the positive influences against the perceived negative influences
Know and be able to explain your purpose for using a particular book
Review and be able to discuss both sides of the censorship question

7. Subjects of Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Animals
Dogs, horses, and birds
Mysteries
Clues and suspense help readers develop powers of observation
Sports
Baseball, football, or flying
Humor
Ridiculous situations, exaggeration, and the unexpected
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Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: 8e ©2004, 2007, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN:

8. Multicultural Topics in Realistic Fiction
African American Books: Virginia Hamilton, Walter Dean Myers, Nikki Grimes
Native American Books: Mama, Do you Love Me?, Annie and the Old One
Latino Literature: Leo Politi, House on Mango Street
Asian and Asian American Books: Kira, Kira, Homeless Bird
New Immigrants to the United States: Tangled Threads: A Hmong Girl’s Story, Home of the Brave,
9.7
Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: 8e ©2004, 2007, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN:

9. Teaching with Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Using role-playing
Interdisciplinary units
Motivational – building on students’ interests to get them to read more
Developing questioning strategies
Reader response
Writing activities
9.8
Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: 8e ©2004, 2007, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN: