Is that Realistic-Fiction? How Does that Relate to Me?

In literature, there is a variety of book genres to read. Last week, the genre focus was on fantasy and science fiction, but there is also poetry, ethnic and international literature, picture books, as well as realistic fiction. The list can go on and on, but a variety of genres are always available for readers to read. This week, the genre focus is realistic fiction. Realistic fiction is necessary because these types of books are relatable to real-life events and situations. “Many works of realistic fiction enable children to explore their thoughts, feelings, and predispositions and to compare their inner experiences with those of others. Good books about self-discovery are even available for preschoolers” Of all the genres of children’s literature, realistic fiction is the one that most closely approaches the reality of children’s own lives” (Temple, 2014).

Since realistic fiction relates to real-life situations, literature written in this genre has been linking to its readers since many decades ago. Readers of any age and any period, could pick a book to read and find something in it to relate. “Realistic fiction has been available for children for a long time. The first title read by children that might be called realistic fiction was Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719. Although written for the general reader, it became associated with children in the mid-eighteenth century, when the philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau recommended it for children. Rousseau’s recommendation coincided with transition publishers had already begun to make—away from merely producing books for children focused on dying and repentance and toward publishing new forms of writing, including realistic fiction” (Temple, 2014).

There are many types of themes in realistic fiction. There are themes of self-discovery and growing up, books about families, interpersonal relationships, school, sports, nature and animals, adventure and survival, moral dilemmas and responsibilities, social diversity, aging, death, and dying. Themes such as mystery and suspense and mental, physical, emotional, and other challenges are also mentioned in realistic books (Temple, 2014). One book that focuses on mental, physical, emotional and other difficulties is Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key (1998) by Jack Gantos.

In Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, a young boy named Joey Pigza frequently gets into trouble at school due to his behavior. Joey is on medication for his ADHD, but the medicine does not seem to work well for him. Joey's ADHD gets him in trouble, especially when he puts his finger in a pencil sharpener and runs around with scissors and harms a classmate's nose. Joey is not a bad child, but his actions often lead him to trouble. Joey does this trick with his classmates, where he swallows a key and using a string, he pulls it back out. In one instance, the key unties itself from the string, and Joey swallows the key. Due to his erratic behavior and unable to tolerate his behavior any longer, the school sends Joey to a special education school, where he can learn to make better decisions and where the staff is better able to treat his ADHD. Eventually, Joey begins to believe in himself and that he can be an excellent student despite his condition. Joey knows he cannot be cured, but he also knows that by making the right decisions and taking his medication, he can be like other children.

This book relates to realistic fiction because it shows that people can "flourish in spite of challenging mental, physical, and emotional conditions. The limiting factors they face are not just the challenging conditions, but also their own sense of the possible or the reduced expectations of those around them. The trick for authors is to create characters who can achieve success without having the disability seem to give them special powers" (Temple, 2014). With books like these, students can see that they are not alone. Readers "find books they can relate to, or at least read about books their classmates who are going through something may be feeling like. Students can also see life experiences beyond their own- this helps students take a humorous, enjoyable look at life" (Temple, 2014).

Thank you for reading! See you next week! :)

-Melissa