LSSL 5385: Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Realistic Fiction 

There are several different names for realistic fiction. Contemporary Realistic Fiction (CRF) or Modern Realistic Fiction (MRF) novels are written in contemporary times with a believable storyline. Gender and culture should be considered in these novels as it is important to avoid stereotyping. Realistic fiction often confronts tough topics that should relate to modern readers. Instead of explicitly stating the theme, it should emerge gradually through storytelling. 

The fact that there are different names for this type of genre is interesting to me. I refer to modern romance books as “contemporary romance” but fictions that take place in a modern or contemporary setting simply as realistic fiction. This is something I’ve known that I have done but not been consciously aware of. 
Realistic fiction seems to find itself in the most trouble with schools and libraries around the world. The Hate U Give sparked controversy with its use of language and content. For almost nine years, Speak was one of the Top 100 Banned Books for “explicit sexual content”. Everyone comes from different backgrounds, good and bad, and books like these are important for society to recognize the negatives in life. 
It’s important for readers to feel connected to what they are reading. The We Need Diverse Books campaigns fights tirelessly to make sure there are books like American Panda, When Dimple Met Rishi, and Love, Hate & Other Filters can make it into the hands of readers that share those cultures and for those unfamiliar with them. Disability in Kidlit is another organization that focuses on literature about characters with different medical needs. Kody Keplinger, author of The Duff and That’s Not What Happened was born blind and has written two books with asexual characters. 
This genre, while already rich in content, is exploding and it doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon! 

Citation:
The Collegian. (2018, September 28). Banned Book Highlight: "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://www.kstatecollegian.com/2018/09/28/banned-book-highlight-speak-by-laurie-halse-anderson/