Thanks to Janis Fox for compiling that terrific hit on
literary genres. It couldn't have been more timely
for me. I'm working on finishing an article for NoveList
(due today!) on teaching kids the difference between
fantasy versus realistic fiction.
I break down the differences of the two genres into
8 contrasting characteristics. In a nutshell,
1. FANTASY:
Animals talk, or act like, or are even transformed into humans.
REALISTIC FICTION:
Animals act like animals and do not talk.
2. FANTASY:
Inanimate objects like toys are alive or have magical properties.
REALISTIC FICTION:
Inanimate objects stay that way; toys are just toys.
3. FANTASY:
People or animals have special powers.
REALISTIC FICTION:
People and animals behave the way they do in real life.
4. FANTASY:
Magic or fantastical futuristic science occurs.
REALISTIC FICTION:
Is true to life; real science happens.
5. FANTASY:
There are made-up creatures that don't exist in real life.
REALISTIC FICTION:
All human and animal creatures are real.
6. FANTASY:
Characters travel into the past or future.
REALISTIC FICTION:
Characters live in the past or now.
7. FANTASY:
Some events couldn't happen in real life.
REALISTIC FICTION:
All events could or did happen in real life.
8. FANTASY:
Can take place on other worlds or alternate dimensions.
REALISTIC FICTION:
Takes place on Earth.
In the article, I reviewed one new or recent fiction title
for each of the 16 categories above, and gave a list
of 4 additional titles for each category as well.
Janis's hit helped me to zoom in on several
areas and strengthen the article, for which I am
most grateful. You'll be able to find the article on
the NoveList site, which you access free through your
public (or school, if you subscribe) library's
website. I go to my public library's website, click on
Databases, then NoveList, and then enter my
patron barcode #. Voila. If you've never
explored NoveList, it's a pretty amazing place
to find reviews, articles, links, and more to
every fiction book you can shake a stick at.
I'll be writing 4 columns for them this year;
the Fantasy Versus Realistic column
(working title) will be out in October, I
believe.
Judy Freeman
Children's Literature Consultant
"Wild About Books" columnist, School Library Media Activities Monthly
Author of the all new Books Kids Will Sit Still For 3
(Libraries Unlimited, 2006; www.LU.com)
65 North Sixth Avenue
Highland Park, NJ 08904
732-572-5634 / BKWSSF@aol.com
www.JudyReadsBooks.com
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