Realistic Fiction in Children's Literature

         Wondering if you should introduce realistic fiction stories to your children or students? Research has shown there are many benefits to children reading realistic fiction because:

• It portrays the realities of life so children are able to develop a more in-depth understanding of human problems and relationships.
• It helps expand children's frames of reference and ability to see the world from another perspective.
• It helps children take comfort in knowing their problems are not unique and that they are not alone in this world.
• It allows children to experience secondhand interactions with characters in books.

      Through realistic fiction, children learn that life is full of ups and downs; it can be funny, painful, joyful, and distressing. I believe it is important that children are introduced to stories of realistic fiction so they can develop an understanding of real world problems.

          Here are the top 10 read alouds listed in my children's literature textbook, The Joy of Children's Literature, to share with your children or students:

• Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look
• Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
• Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
• The Penderwicks: A Summer Take of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall
• Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff
• Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech
• Ruby Lu, Brave and True by Lenore Look
• Rules by Cynthia Lord
• The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
• The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin 

 Johnson, D. (2009). The joy of children's literature. (2 ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.