GENRES THAT MAKE READERS THINK

Realistic Fiction (A.K.A. Contemporary Fiction or Modern Realistic Fiction)

Definition: Stories that are believable. The story is something that could actually happen in our time, in our real world.

What type of book is considered Realistic Fiction?

Reflects contemporary values. Avoids stereotypes of boys and girls. Speech, behavior, and other elements are believable and reflect the world around us.
Several themes are interlaced in the plot and they emerge slowly and consistently.
Typically handles topics that were taboo in past generations such as death and loss, sexuality and sexual orientation, changing family structure, immigration, abortion, etc.

Self-Reflection

Based on this definition of realistic fiction, children’s TV shows on KLRN do a good job at engaging an audience and the storylines are believable. As a librarian, I think I would want to get the books that accompany these popular shows. I think I would capture those reluctant readers and could delve into deeper thinking as we slow down the show and dissect the plot and discuss the important issues.

Nonfiction

Definition: Text with facts. Gives information about different topics (animals, technology, people, etc.) Books can be written as narratives, biographies, memoirs, how-to, etc.

How do you it’s a Nonfiction text?

The author a credible source in the field which the book is about.
The facts are accurate. The book is vetted by professionals.
Definite scope and direction (broad/narrow) in the book.
The organization allows readers to find information with ease (table of content, index, glossary, bibliography, visuals/artifacts, etc.).

Discuss the text:

Does the title and jacket of this book represent fairly the content of the book?

Explain what you think the author did to research and write this book.

Would this book make a good documentary? Why?

Describe three facts, theories, or incidents that you fund interesting. Tell why.

Self-Reflection

This reminds of when I picked up Tomie de Paola’s The Popcorn Book, it was a narrative but at the same time gave a history of popcorn and facts about it kernels. I was having trouble categorizing it because I could not wrap my head around the idea that a nonfiction book could also be written in narrative format. Now that I think about it, it did meet many of the criteria for the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award. As a librarian, it is important to help students through non-fiction text and guide them from the exploratory picture books to the more technical text that will give them the information they need in their research. I think it is very important that there are organizations that fact-check nonfiction books so that the public gets the real information.

Fantasy and Science Fiction

Definition: These are stories that defy physical reality such as talking animals, time travel, aliens, etc. Science fiction is a subcategory of Fantasy that has many interesting subcategories.

What are they comprised of?

the characters of the story must behave in consistent and believable ways.
There are rules in the fantasy world.
Authors assist readers in the “willing suspension of disbelief.”
The themes in the text are universal truths.

Science fiction categories

Apocalyptic/Post-Apocalyptic (people living through major catastrophes)
Steam Punk (steam-powered machinery)/Cyberpunk (hacking, computer technology; dark atmosphere)/Biopunk (manipulating human DNA, or putting things in your brain)/Splatterpunk/Elfpunk
Dystopia (propaganda used to control the citizens, citizens under constant surveillance, individuality discouraged/prohibited, resistance to the government)
Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP) (telepathy [talking with the mind], pre-cognition [knowing what will happen], clairvoyance [touch something and know about it])
Robots/Androids/Cyborgs/Artificial Intelligence
Time Travel/Parallel Universes
Virtual Reality/Gaming

Self-Reflection:

I remember my first introduction to science fiction was Star Wars. I enjoyed the new world and the possibility of different types of lifeforms that existed in parallel universes. I like that the subgenre Fantasy can be categorized into so many types. I don’t think I’ve ever read any books in the punk categories. I tend to watch a lot a television mini-series where characters have extra-sensory perception, and I am fascinated by moves that incorporate robots and artificial intelligence in their plot. As a librarian, I think I would survey students to find out what kind of fantasy/science fiction elements they like to read. This reminds me, that just two year ago Dr. Who became very popular among 4th graders and Doctor Strange was very popular last year. I would want to ensure that the collection had a good variety of books to hit all interest.

Graphic Novels

By definition a graphic novel is a form/format. As a result, many subgenres can be written at graphic novels. Subgenres such as history, fantasy, nonfiction and others have employed the format of Graphic Novel to tell share they message.

Some characteristics include

Combine text an illustration to convey the story
They are more complex than picture books and comic books

Self-Reflections

Growing up I liked reading the DC and Marvel Comics and had my favorite heroes.As an adult, I think that Jeff Kinney’s The Diary of the Wimpy Kid popularized the format.Recently I have seen Graphic Novels like Smile and Roller Girl in my students’ hands. As a writing teacher, it helps me teaching dialogue and onomatopoeia. But now that I saw some of the historical fiction titles available, I will stock my library up with those.

This may be one of the formats next to poetry that really captivates the spirit of aesthetic reading. The experience almost takes a reader back to their experience with Big Picture Books in the early childhood classroom, where the teacher read primarily for enjoyment.I could see why MG and YA readers would enjoy this format.

Richard Peck's Top 10 Question to Ask About Novel

These questions have a complexity where student need to analyze the text to find out why it was written and why the format the author chose was effective. The questions challenge the reader to evaluate the quality of the characters and their importance in the story. They also ask the reader to evaluate if they plot is believable.

l. What would the story be like if the main character were of the opposite sex?

(helps diffuse sexual polarizations and stereotyping)

2. Why is the story set where it is? (Not where is the story set?)

(points out setting as an author's device)

3. If you were to film the story, would you use black and white or color and WHY?

(consideration of tone)

4. If you could not use all of the characters, which would you eliminate and WHY?

(characters which add texture vs. simplification for media translation)

5. How is the main character different from you?

(reader can identify without being like the main character)

6. Would this story make a good TV series? Why/not?

(ending focus and sequential nature of chapters)

7. What one thing in the story has happened to you?

(anecdotal response of recognition)

8. Reread the first paragraph of Chapter 1. What is in it to make you read on? If

nothing, why did you continue to read?

(hooks reader and awareness of author's intent in writing)

9. If you had to design a new cover for the book, what would it look like?

(deceptive packaging and consumerism)

10. What does the title tell you about the book? Does it tell the truth?

(titles as narrative hooks vs. symbolic titles)

Self-Reflection:

I think it is important to question the author why he told his story in the manner that he did. If the author would have used a different format would the message come across more powerful and compelling.The events that happen to the main characters should be believable and reasonable. The first paragraph should be powerful enough to captivate the imagination of a reader. When I think about it, an author has a lot of pressure to be creative enough to tell their message in an appealing way to capture as many readers as possible.