Reference no: EM13766867

Learning Resources

Course Text: Literature and the Child

Chapter 7, "Contemporary Realistic Fiction"

Chapter 8, "Historical Fiction" (you may skip "A Close Look at The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate," pp. 259-260; "A Close Look at A Close Look at The Porcupine Year," pp. 266-267; and "A Close Look at Okay for Now," p. 274-275)

Read one contemporary realistic fiction book or one historical fiction book. Make your selection based on a theme or a period/person in history that resonates with you. Use the booklists at the end of Chapters 7 and 8 (pp. 246-249 and p. 278 of the course text, and make sure that your selection is classified as intermediate or adolescent (there will be an "I" or an "A" in parentheses next to the title). While

Authoring Quality Realistic and Historical Fiction

You have been learning about the significance and characteristics of quality contemporary realistic and historical fiction. Among other qualities, these genres must present stories that seem real to life. Characters, settings, and plots must ring true for readers in order for them to make connections, both intellectually and emotionally, with the text.

Take time to consider the following quotes about contemporary realistic and historical fiction:

1. "Good contemporary realistic fiction illuminates life, presenting social and personal concerns in a fully human context ... . Realistic fiction portrays the real world in all its dimensions; it shows the humorous, the sensitive, the thoughtful, the joyful, and the painful sides of life ... . Contemporary realistic fiction offers the opportunity for young readers to think about and measure their own lives; we might say that contemporary realistic fiction can put us in touch with our lives." (Galda, Sipe, Liang & Cullinan, 2014, p. 221-222).

2. "Outstanding historical fiction shows that history is created by people, that people experience historical events in individual ways, that people living now are tied to those who lived in the past through a common humanity, and that human conditions of the past shape our lives today. Historical fiction offers readers the opportunity to travel across time and place and thus to find themselves ... gives modern children a sense of reality concerning times past ... [and] can give them a sense of the historical importance of their own lives ... it is a lively and fascinating way to transmit the stories of the past to the guardians of the future" (p. 254).

Keeping in mind the above thoughts, reflect on what you have learned about the role of themes and characters in contemporary realistic and historical fiction. Then, respond to this week's Discussion prompt.

Post responses to the following questions:

1. As an author of contemporary realistic fiction or historical fiction, what would be your greatest responsibilities and challenges?

2. What would you hope that your readers would gain from reading your book?