Multicultural Contemporary Realistic Fiction for Primary-Age Children (7)

CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION FOR PRIMARY-AGE CHILDREN

Contemporary realistic fiction displays scenarios through a modern and true-to-life lens. The social and personal challenges witnessed in the text should be relatable to the intended audience. Literature and the Child (2017) states, "Because literature reflects the society that creates it, children's contemporary realistic fiction reflects many of the problems that our society is concerned with today (Galda et al., 2017, p. 250)." This genre is a useful tool to help introduce complex and sensitive topics to young children in an engaging and interesting way.

 

BOOK SUMMARY

The rhythmic structure of the book follows a young girl's thoughts as she describes being kind, respecting others, and the importance of diversity and uniqueness. 

BOOK EVALUATIONS

I Am Enough by Grace Byers is an example of contemporary realistic fiction. It introduces believable characters in a situation and discusses realistic story elements that could have happened even though they did not. I Am Enough offers young learners an opportunity to think about their own experiences and beliefs. According to Literature and the Child (2017), quality contemporary realistic fiction offers credible characters without stereotypes with relatable problems (Galda et al., 2017, p. 253). I Am Enough meets all of the criteria by presenting authentic character thoughts that are natural and not overbearing. Additionally, the illustrations are appropriate and enhance the overall meaning of the text. The designs are age-appropriate and organized to impact the reader's personal emotions by depicting relatable characters to go along with the book.

MOTIVATIONAL ACTIVITIES

1. Affirmation Station- Using an upcycled mirror, print out simple affirmations for the children to repeat as they enter the classroom or when they need a confidence boost. 

2. Student Journal- Offer students a journal to document their feelings and thoughts. This journal can be used purely for students to work through personal challenges. 

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS

1. What makes you unique?

2. Can you tell me of a time when you didn't feel confident? What did you do about it?

3. What is your favorite thing about yourself?

SIMILAR BOOKS

1. The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

2. Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry

3. When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner

4. Skin Like Mine by LaTashia M. Perry

References 

Byers, G. (2020). I am enough. Harper Collins. 

Cherry, M. A. (2020). Hair love. Scholastic, Inc. 

Galda, L., Liang, L. A., & Cullinan, B. E. (2017). Literature and the child. Cengage Learning.  

Perry, L. T. M. (2016). Skin like mine. Kids Like Mine. 

Turner, M. P. (2020). When god made you. Convergent Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. 

Woodson, J. (2021). The Day you begin. National Braille Press.