The Joy of Children's Literature: Chapter 7 Realistic Fiction

            Realistic fiction portrays life in a way that is relatable to children. Children are able to take comfort in their own problems by reading about stories that are similar or comparable to theirs. Students are able to make improvements to their lives through reading realistic fiction. Students are also taught to be aware of stereotypes and stereotyping. Realistic fiction can be used in each of the content areas and can be used with any lesson in a classroom. Using realistic fiction in the classroom allows for students to develop their own literacy.

How do you Wokka-Wokka? By Elizabeth Bluemle


“Some days you wake up and you just gotta wokka.” This book begins with a boy starting his day walking into the streets doing his wokka wokka dance. As the story continues you learn about many other charecters forms of wokka wokka dancing. In the end you learn that everybody has their own form of dancing and sometimes you just need to do what is fun to get your mind off of what’s going on in the world.

Comeback Kid's: Safe at Home By Mike Lupica


Nick Crandall was in a foster home until he was adopted at the age of 9. He loved baseball, but his parents did not understand sports. Nick felt did not fit in at school, his friends, or even his parents at home. Nick was looking forward to being the catcher on the junior varsity team at school, but when the varsity catcher became injured Nick needed to step up and catch at the varsity level. At first Nick did not belong, he was missing catches and his teammates made fun of him for it. It took a while for the team to trust Nick. In the end, the varsity team won and Nick finally found his place.

Vincent Shadow: Toy Inventor By Tim Kehoe


Vincent Shadow isn’t very good at sports. Vincent is constantly faced with the bullies who pick on him at his school. But Vincent has a talent and creative mind that really separates him from the other kids his age. Vincent is able to think of a toy and it will be created. But Vincent loses his talent once his mother passes and his father moves the family to Minnesota. Vincent finally gains his talents again when his new art teacher gives him a challenge. Vincent also faces the troubles of an evil-stepmother and a father who almost seems absent.