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Types of Literature - Realistic Fiction

Realistic fiction refers to stories that might really happen, stories set in a particular time and that happen to a particular people.  The plot of a realistic story focuses on everyday problems, pleasures and personal relationships and the setting seems as real as the world we know. Realistic fiction often allows the reader to identify with characters who are their own age and who have the same interests or problems.  Realistic fiction contains the following literary elements:

  • A conflict or problem that could occur in the real world

  • Characters that are convincingly developed, multi-dimensional and show growth over time

  • Setting that is vividly portrayed and that could exist in the real world

  • Memorable theme that could be applied to one’s own life

  • Literary style that contains vivid descriptions, believable dialogue and other techniques that help the reader to understand the plot and characters

Suggested Books

K-2

Ross, Eden, and Mordicai Gerstein. Applesauce Season. Roaring Brook, 2009.

Boelts, Maribeth. Those Shoes. Candlewick Pr, 2007.

Coffelt, Nancy, and Tricia Tusa. Fred Stays with Me. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2007.

Bunting, Eve. One Green Apple. Hubsta Ltd, 2006.

Look, Lenore, and Yumi Heo. Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding. Atheneum, 2006.

3-4 

Peterson, Margaret, and Mark Elliott. Dexter the Tough. Simon & Schuster, 2007.

Polacco, Patricia. The Lemonade Club. Philomel, 2007.

Yee, Lisa. Bobby Vs. Girls (Accidentally). Arthur A. Levine Books, 2009.

Lin, Grace. The Year of the Rat. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2008.

 

5-6

Hillestad, Dori. The Truth about Truman School. Albert Whitman & Co, 2009.

Patron, Susan, and Matt Phelan. The Higher Power of Lucky. Atheneum, 2006.

Lombard, Jenny. Drita, My Homegirl. Putnam Pub Group, 2006.

Gorman, Carol. Games. HarperCollins, 2007.

Lessons:

Realistic Fiction - Grades 1-4 - Students learn the characteristics of realistic fiction, reading Those Shoes.

Realistic Fiction - Grades 3-4 (possibly 5-6) - Students learn the characteristics of realistic fiction, reading One Green Apple.

Updated by Sarah Latcham, Salina Hemann, and Judith Dickson
February, 2011

This page was last updated on February 28, 2011.