Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Learning Resources

Required 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)

For this week’s Application, 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 making your selection, refer to the quality guidelines outlined in your text.

Application: Annotated Bibliography and Quality Checklist

Part 4: Contemporary Realistic Fiction and Historical Fiction

Children and adolescents often gravitate toward books in the contemporary realistic fiction and historical fiction genres. Well-written books in these genres have the capacity to transport readers to other places and times, involve them in intriguing plots, and foster transactional reading experiences through poignant themes with realistic and relatable characters. Relationships to books built on experiences like these create connections that linger long after the last page is turned.

This week, you will further explore the exciting worlds of contemporary realistic and historical fiction as you continue to work on the Application Assignment that you began in Week 1.

Annotated Booklist

This week, you will choose one contemporary realistic fiction book or one historical fiction book to read and annotate. Make your selection based on a theme or a period/person in history that resonates with you. Use the lists on pages 246–249 and page 278 of the course text, and make sure your selection is classified as intermediate or adolescent (there will be an “I” or an “A” in parentheses next to the title). While making your selection, refer to the quality guidelines outlined in your text.

Quality Checklist

Based on what you have learned about contemporary realistic fiction and historical fiction this week, add at least five entries, written in your own words, for each genre to your Quality Checklist.