Chapter 9 – Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Multiple Choice

1. The term contemporary realistic fiction infers that everything in the story a. Happened in our contemporary world. b. Could happen in our contemporary world. c. Is told from the viewpoint of a real person. d. Is true.

2. In contemporary realistic animal fiction, animals a. Could have human emotions. b. Could talk. c. Must be realistic by the standard of what we know and expect. d. None of the above. a. It allows children to identify with and learn from characters who have similar interests and problems b. It broadens children’s horizons. c. It allows children to experience new adventures. d. It provides children with pleasure and escape. a. The 1400s b. The 1700s c. The late 19th century d. The late 20th century a. The 1950s b. The 1960s c. The 1970s d. The 1980s a. The early 20th century b. The 1940s and 50s c. The late 1970s d. The late 19th century

3. Which of the following is the greatest value of contemporary realistic fiction for children?

4. In which of the following time periods was realistic fiction characterized by traditional family roles, strict roles for males and females, and strong religious commitment?

5. In which of the following time periods was realistic fiction characterized by wise grandparents, respected parents, happy and secure families, and white, middle-class family values?

6. Overcoming fear, meeting responsibility and problems related to adoption, divorce, disabilities, and minority social status are common themes of which time period?

7. Young people in much of contemporary realistic fiction reflect a. Resilience, resourcefulness, and hope. b. Love, friendship, and hope. c. Gangs, fear, and hope. d. Abuse, strength, and hope. a. The characterizations are the most important part of the story. b. The narrative is frequently in first person and the confessional tone is self-centered. c. Unconventional adults help the children overcome problems. d. The vocabulary is limited. a. Job opportunities for females and abortion. b. Exclusion of males and stereotyped roles for males c. Exclusion of females and stereotyped roles for females. d. Equal pay for females and daycare. a. Children decide early in life what roles are appropriate for males and females. b. Art can display sexism even when the text does not. c. There are many picture books that young children read on their own. d. Picture books are the major factor in a child’s attitude about appropriate roles for males and females.

8. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the problem novel?

9. Which two issues does sexism in realistic fiction involve?

10. Why is it most important that picture books are not sexist?

11. One of the most widely censored authors of children’s literature is a. Lois Lowry b. Judy Blume c. Virginia Hamilton d. Cynthia Rylant

12. In Walk Two Moons, Sharon Creech’s main character, Sal, is on a quest to find out a. Where her sibling is living. b. Where her best friend went. c. Why her mother left. d. An old family mystery.

13. Beverly Cleary’s Dear Mr. Henshaw has a sixth-grade hero who writes letters and diery entries to accept his parents’ a. Divorce. b. Death. c. Moving. d. Insecurities.

14. Good-Bye and Keep Cold , and Joey Pigza Loses Control focus primarily on the subject of a. Peer relationships b. Single-parent families c. Inner-city survival d. Disabilities a. A person outside of the family b. A strong parent c. Understanding siblings d. People who are considered heroes in the society

15. Unlike literature of the past, current realistic fiction often suggests that which of the following is the most important influence in a child’s discovery of self?

16. Authors frequently use a first person or limited omniscient point of view in survival stories because they want a. To encourage readers to believe in the protagonists. b. To reinforce a plot that stresses person-against-person conflicts. c. To define the setting in considerable detail. d. To develop a theme about the need for animal protection. a. Lois Duncan’s Don’t Look Behind You b. Gillian Cross’s On the Edge c. Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet d. Katherine Paterson’s Park’s Quests a. It provides physically disabled people with role models. b. Readers can empathize with people who are courageously overcoming their problems. c. Readers can see how the problems relating to physically disabled people can be resolved. d. It teaches readers about the consequences of prejudice caused by ignorance. a. A condition should be accurately portrayed. b. A happy ending is essential for children to have positive attitudes about physical disabilities. c. The story should include honest advice. d. The story should include realistic interactions with individuals who are not disabled. a. The writing should encourage the reader to respond to the needs of animals. b. The animal stories should be based on true stories. c. The author should portray animals objectively without giving them human thoughts of motives. d. The behavior of the animals is in keeping with the actual, known animal behavior.

17. Problem solving strategies and contrasts between life in the wilderness and life in the city are used to effectively create characterization and conflict in which of the following books?

18. Which of the following is the greatest value of writing meaningful and realistic stories about the physically different or disabled?

19. When evaluating realistic stories dealing with physical disabilities, which of the following is not appropriate?

20. Of the criteria provided in the text for evaluating realistic animal stories, which of the following is not correct?

21. Authors Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley are well known for their stories about a. Dogs b. Horses c. Cats d. Wildlife a. They provide escape and entertainment. b. They allow children to understand the problems of other people. c. They allow children to become involved in the solutions. d. They suggest that children, if they are observant, creative, and imaginative, can solve mysteries. a. They deal with the ideals of fair play. b. They portray the process of overcoming conflicts between fathers and sons. c. They emphasize the therapeutic value of sports. d. They focus on girls who enjoy participating in sports. a. Role playing enhances children’s understanding of various ways to handle common problems. b. Adults can learn a great deal about children as they listen to the children’s responses during role playing. c. Role playing helps children develop an understanding of the world around them. d. All of the above. a. Literal questions b. Evaluative questions c. Inferential questions d. Appreciative questions

22. Which of the following is not a common value of mysteries for children?

23. Which of the following is least true about the value of sports stories for children?

24. Why is role playing of value as a follow-up to reading realistic fiction?

25. Which type of questioning technique requires children to hypothesize about details, main ideas, and cause-and-effect relationships?

Essay Questions

1. Compare and contrast the role of plot, characterization, and setting in contemporary realistic fiction and in another genre of your choosing. Use specific examples in your discussion.

2. Identify at least three issues that might currently result in censorship of children’s literature. Then identify two specific books that might be censored under each issue. Discuss why each book might be controversial.

3. Describe a problem novel. Explain how a problem novel would differ from a Newbery Award winning contemporary realistic novel.

4. Choose a book of contemporary realistic fiction. Describe the questioning strategies you might use to lead a discussion about the book.

5. Respond to this statement – contemporary realistic fiction is a mirror of American society.