Realistic Fiction and Sport Stories
Genre Study
Realistic Fiction is a genre that is based on realistic things that could actually happen. The settings and characters are very similar to how it would be in real life. Many stories in the realistic fiction genre set out to represent hardships and issues that we are experiencing currently. This could be a good way to tie in current events or other social studies concepts. As well as how to solve those issues and maybe use science or engineering to invent something that can fix the real world problem. Characters found in realistic fiction are different from those found in adventure stories, for example. In adventure stories the characters are often young children that tackle outrageous and dangerous situations. Whereas in realistic fiction, the characters are young children as well, but they deal with real problems that almost all children will encounter at some point in their lives. This makes this type of book very relatable and informative to students because whatever is happening to the character in the book is currently happening to them in real life. Students find comfort in being able to relate to someone and seeing how someone else might deal with the same problem. A more specific genre under the category of realistic fiction is sports stories. These books are focused on events and activities that have to do with a sport. They tell stories of struggling and the determination to improve in the sport. These are especially liked by boys, but some girls enjoy them as well. It is important to get to know your students and their interests so you can help locate specific books that they may want to read.
Awards
Authors
Genre Resources
Teaching Tools
Books I Recommend
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Reference information for accessing the text (APA Citation): Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a wimpy kid: Greg Heffley's journal. New York: Amulet Books.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Grade level span where the book would be considered “complex text.”: 6-7
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Grade level span for use as a class read aloud: 4-5
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Major themes addressed in the book: Pre-teen-life. Humor. Fitting in. Bullies.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Qualities of the writing that are worthy of note: Chapter book. Includes black and white doodles or cartoons. Humorous and engaging for students. Relatable to students especially for boys.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Connections to authentic local, national, or global issues: Ties to issues regarding student life. Discusses home life, peer pressure in school, and other hard situations middle school students face.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Facets of the book that may be difficult for students and require support: Students may not understand that the cartoons and drawings add to the story and aid in comprehension of the story.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Support that may be needed by students because of the difficult components of the book: Explicitly teach comprehension strategies to your students before using this book with them. Do a lesson on 21st Century genres and explain how to use the images on the page to help with comprehnsion.
Play Like a Girl
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Reference information for accessing the text (APA Citation): Macy, S. (1999). Play like a girl: A celebration of women in sports. New York: Henry Holt.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Grade level span where the book would be considered “complex text.”: 5-6
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Grade level span for use as a class read aloud: 4-5
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Major themes addressed in the book: Sports. Feminism. Role models that are women.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Qualities of the writing that are worthy of note: Informational picture book. Includes real photographs of famous women athletes. Includes table of contents and author's not.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Connections to authentic local, national, or global issues: Ties to global issue of Women's Rights.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Facets of the book that may be difficult for students and require support: The connection to larger issues regaring women's rights may not be very obvious to students as they read this book.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Support that may be needed by students because of the difficult components of the book: Incorporate this book into a social studies unit regarding human basic rights to help students make the deeper connections to larger aspects in life.
