Realistic Fiction

Realistic fiction is a story that is rooted in reality, meaning it can really happen.  The characters, events, settings, etc. are made up, but it is possible for everything in the story  to happen.  Settings of realistic fiction are usually in modern, contemporary, times.  The plots carry real-life situations that people face on a daily basis.  These stories are typically narrated  in the first person.  

Beth Newingham's  

Realistic Fiction Poster (pdf)

Teaching Activities for Realistic Fiction

Great Authors For Realistic Fiction:

Eve Bunting

Open Ended Discussion Questions

from Differentiating Reading Instruction by Laura Robb

• What problems does the main character face?  Do you feel these problems are realistic? Why or why not?
• Describe how the different settings of the story affect the characters' decision making?  Would similar settings have influenced you in the same way?
• How are you and the main character alike and different?
• What is realistic about the characters in the story?  How are the similar or different with yourself?
• What problems or conflicts in this book are real issues faced in the world today?
• What problems do you and the characters have in common? How would you work to resolve these problems?
• What are the realistic themes and issues in this book?
• In real life, events and people can change a character.  How does an important event or person change the main character at the end of the book.