The+Importance+of+Contemporary+Realistic+Fiction

What makes contemporary realistic fiction important for children to read?
Click the **Edit** button (far right side of screen) and paste your content in the space below. Make sure to **Save** changes before exiting.

Added by Megan:

There are several reasons why it is important for children to read contemporary realistic fiction. Contemporary realistic fiction books allow the reader to identify with characters that are his/her age, expand the reader’s horizons and interests, and realize that his/her problems are not unique. Children like this genre because the books are “all about me”. In contemporary fiction books, the reader can relate to the characters in the story. Children enjoy reading books about other children like themselves. For example, in //Eleven//, by Lauren Myracle, the reader can relate to the feelings of an eleven year old girl as her body and friendships change. Children are able to expand their horizons by reading contemporary realistic fiction. They can broaden their interests by reading books focusing on different cultures. For example, in //Esperanza Rising//, the reader learns about the Mexican culture, immigrating to a new country, and moving from a position of wealth to poverty. In //The Breadwinner,// the reader is introduced to the Afghan culture, along with the difficulties that Afghan women face under Taliban rule, even today. Finally, through contemporary realistic fiction, children learn that their problems are not unique. For example, a reader with an Autistic sibling can relate to Catherine’s mixed feelings about her Autistic brother David (//Rules)//, and understand that he/she is not bad for having the similar feelings. A student with a family problem, trouble fitting in, or difficulty with friends can relate to Talia in //Talia Talk.// In conclusion, contemporary realistic fiction is very important for children to read. Students can relate to characters their age with similar likes and dislikes, expand their interests by learning about different cultures and ways of life, and recognize that their experiences and feelings are not unique. This genre is popular with children because these are books about them. They can read the book and say, “I do that,” or “That happened to me too.” References Deriso, Christine Hurley. //Talia Talk.// New York: Delacorte Press, 2008. Ellis, Deborah. //The Breadwinner.// Berkeley: Groundwood Books, 2001. Lord, Cynthia. //Rules.// New York: Scholastic, 2008. Myracle, Lauren. //Eleven.// New York: Puffin Books, 2007. Norton, Donna. //Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children’s Literature.// NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1995. Ryan, Pam Munoz. //Esperanza Rising.// New York: Scholastic, 2000.