Realistic Fiction

           Let's start off with that realistic fiction is, it is realistic in the idea that the setting, characters and events are all believable-however the stories are fiction due to them never happening. They are just simply made up stories by authors that have plugged in realistic characters, place and events. Some categories of realistic fiction are the following: survival/adventure, mystery, humor, animals, sports, family, and growing up. All of these can be found at a local library. While everyone has their own preference into what to read, just because someone enjoys realistic fiction does not mean they enjoy the same read. 
           I would like to touch on some key benefits and considerations to realistic fiction. For starters it can portray the reality of life, having good times and bad, ups and downs. It is important for children to understand that this is a part of life, and even their favorite story book character goes through these. It can remind children that they are not alone in the world when they face a problem. It can also give children positive ideas of how to handle issues and ways not to handle issues that may face them. Some considerations to think of when handing a realistic fiction novel to a child is all the different point of views they will be exposed to and life situations they may have not encountered. While realistic fictions conveys all different aspects of life such as different cultures, racism, gender, sexuality, physical and mental impairments and treatment- it is important to make sure the child is prepared to handle what they will read. 
           Which brings me into the topic of controversial and sensitive issues. Sometimes death, divorce, moral choices, mental, physical and behavioral challenges, abuse, homelessness, poverty, sexism and sexuality can present its self in realistic fiction novels. As an adult handing the novel to the child you need to be prepared to talk to them about the subjects at hand and decided it they are ready to read such material. One may want to consider reading such controversial books aloud, this gives you as an adult the chance to experience the children's reactions and also to talk about the topics if need be. This leaves room for open ended discussions to confront certain topics and listen to the students and their thoughts. While not all students feel comfortable with speaking aloud in a group, you could easily incorporate reading response journals. This gives them a chance to reflect on the reading in a more personal way. Reading response journals don't have to be just for language arts, it can be used across the board in science, math,and social studies.
            As previously stated some books are controversial and some believe as long as they are talked about everything is okay, however some groups of people disagree with this and have challenged or tried banning certain books. Some books that most are familiar with are Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Books are challenged due to the controversial topics that present themselves and important to remember that sometimes a parents signature is required for such books to be read in the classroom. 
          Personally I see censorship unneeded in some areas, I think that some children are being over sheltered and need to be exposed to certain things such as sex and drug, and the way I see it is that the students should be exposed in a controlled way. I say this meaning that if a teacher or parent introuced the subject through a book and the child and adult are able to talk about it, when the child does eventually face it in real life they are more likely to make smarter choices than seeing it for the first time.

The Tops Ten Read Alouds for Realistic Fiction

1) Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things, by Lenore Look, 2008 Schwartz & Wade
2) Each Little Bird That sings, by Deborah Wiles, 2005 Gulliver
3) Feathers, by Jacqueline Woodson, 2007 Putnam 
4) The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale OF Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Intereseting Boy, by Jeanne Birdsall, 2005 Knopf
5) Pictures of Hollis Woods, by Patrica Reilly Giff (2002 Wendy Lamb Books 
6) Ruby Holler, by Sharon Creech, 2002 Harper collins 
7) Ruby Lu, Brave and True, by Lenore Look, 2004 Simon & Schuster 
8) Rules, by Cynthia Lord, 2006 Scholastic Press 
9) The Talented Clementine, by Sara Pennypacker, 2007, Hyperion 
10) The Year of the Dog, by Grace Lin, 2006 Little Brown