Part 11: Realistic Fiction

Part 11: Realistic Fiction

Click image for goodreads' list of popular YA realistic fiction

Within the genre of fiction exists the format or type of fiction known as realistic fiction, which in YA depicts contemporary or modern teenage protagonists in a realistic universe. The characters, events and setting are believable to today’s world. It is important that the Library Media Specialist be able to evaluate good realistic fiction for providing reader advisory of this type.

Realistic fiction often portrays teens struggling through sensitive issues, such as family and friend tensions, death, violence, sexuality, romance, or drugs and alcohol. The themes of the book should be taken into consideration when evaluating, as they should be universal in nature, timely, and not too overt. For example, the emergence of the theme that “we all have a desire to exert some type of order over our own lives” may be well received and relatable to teens, whereas the message that “you need to get your life in order” would not.

The issues being raised through contemporary YA literature were at one time considered largely inappropriate for young adult audiences, and are still frequently challenged. Bridge to Terabithia, published over forty years ago, is a classic example of a story directed at tween and teen audiences that was often challenged largely because many adults didn’t think young readers should be exposed to the death of a young protagonist. The author and many others, however, pointed out that death is quite often a part of young people’s lives, and keeping it out of their reading does not change that; rather, it negates the idea of using literature as mirrors. Likewise, books that allow teens to experience consequences through vicarious experiences--windows--are bound to portray protagonists making choices that would raise eyebrows. Several Walter Dean Myers’ novels have landed on the frequently challenged list for just this, as they realistically portray adolescents choosing crime, drugs, or so forth, but never in a glorified way.

It is also important when considering realistic fiction for recommendation to avoid novels that stereotype. Of course, these are often identifiable as also being the stories that are too preachy or overt in their moral leanings, but not always. Personally when evaluating YA, one thing that stands out to me about certain novels is actually the opposite type of stereotyping--the idea that “all” teens speak, think, or react in the same way; usually in a way that exposes an adult writer overthinking the attempt to get into the teenage mindset and be believable, but going overboard in the process. The reality is that most YA authors, unlike S.E. Hinton in her writing of The Outsiders, are adults, and protagonists who read as an adult’s idea of modern teens can be overly molded at both ends of the spectrum.

Additionally I especially value the idea of teens reading literature that helps them process serious issues, whether they personally have experienced those issues in their lives or not. I myself always loved science fiction, but knew that not every theme can be developed through that type of fiction. I once again must take issue here, however, with that obvious adult voice attempting to be a teen voice when consequences are detached from choices. If portrayed in a truly realistic light, most choices will have consequences of one type or another, whether or not the teen character foresees them. As a teen, I loved A Separate Peace (although the setting is historical in its realism), because I was fascinated by the idea that a somewhat minor impulsive choice could have such dire consequences. I will never forget how emotional a tenth grade classroom suddenly became arguing the idea of actions and consequences when we attempted to stage a mock trial. This is the type of vicarious understanding that can not only aid adolescents in the gradual shaping of empathy, but their own sense of mortality, and real-life ramifications as well.