Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Contemporary/Realistic: Realistic fiction creates imaginary characters and situations that depict our world and society. It focuses on themes of growing up and confronting personal and social problems. This genre portrays characters coming to understand themselves and others.

Of all the genres in children’s literature, contemporary realistic fiction is very popular. Children  are interested in their own lives, and this genre is about “my life.” This is my world. This is how I live. This story is about a girl like me.

Here’s a short list of realistic fiction books that feature fourth- grade kids facing everyday situations.

Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing (series) by Judy Blume

Lexile: 470

Peter finds his demanding two-year-old brother an ever-increasing problem.  

Winners Take All by Fred Bowen

Lexile: 560

When Kyle fakes a catch, his baseball team goes on to win the league championship but

Kyle doesn't feel good about winning by cheating.

Because of Winn-Dixie  by Kate DiCamillo

Lexile: 610

10-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and

all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog Winn-Dixie

Eggs by Jerry Spinelli

Lexile: 610

Mourning the loss of his mother, 9-year-old David forms an unlikely friendship with

independent, quirky 13-year-old Primrose, as the two help each other deal with what is

missing in their lives.

Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

Lexile: 630

Evan and his younger sister, Jesse, react very differently to the news that they will be in the

same class for 4th grade and as summer's end approaches, they battle it out through

lemonade stands, each trying to be the first to earn 100 dollars.

STAT #1: Home Court (series)

Lexile: 650

When an older group of boys start bullying his friends on the basketball court, Amar'e is

forced to step in and use his athletic ability and intelligence to save the day.

Almost all readers want to find at least an occasional title that reflects and confirms their lives. The lack of books dealing with specific cultures can draw protest from members of a group who desire to read about something close to home.  Because realistic fiction helps confirm our own membership in the human race, children’s publishers and authors continue to represent the spectrum of minorities present in the United States—racial groups, religions, stories from specific regions of the country—but not all bases have yet been covered.  It is important for teachers to make sure that we have a diversity of books in our classrooms to ensure all students feel represented.