Realistic Fiction
Literature used for this assignment must be of an inclusive nature, portray respect for individual differences and meet the criteria for high
quality literature outlined in the textbook. Please consult with the instructor if you have questions about the appropriateness of a
particular book. The following types of books are not appropriate for this assignment: concept books, religious or holiday books, Walt
Disney books, basal readers or reading textbooks, series such as “Clifford”, “Arthur”, Golden Books or similar series. Using APA format,
you will critique one book in each of the following categories: folk literature, fantasy literature, realistic fiction and nonfiction literature. A
total of four books will be critiqued. All of your books must be appropriate for the same age group, (ages 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8). Cite your
adult reference sources appropriately and include a reference page at the end of your assignment.
About the book:
Title:
Author:
Date of Publication:
Date of Copyright:
Evaluation Criteria for “Realistic Fiction”:
1) Age Group: Using a complete sentence briefly describe the selected age group for this book.
2) Developmental Appropriateness: Using two to three paragraphs for each question (a & b ) answering the following:
a. Explain why this book selection is developmentally appropriate for the age group you have chosen.
b. Choose at least one developmental theorist from Early Childhood Education (Piaget, Erikson, etc.) and describe how their theory is
related to at least two aspects of the book selection you chose.
Ranking: Rank questions #3 and #4 with the following aspects of the book using a scale of one (1) to five (5), with five (5) being the
highest possible score. Explain the rationale (your reason) for each ranking, using at least one paragraph for each question.
3) Literary Quality (Scale 1-5)
Part One: Ranking, follow the above instructions, minimum of one paragraph.
Part Two:
Using a minimum of one paragraph for each element, list each of the six literary elements separately and describe in detail how your
selection is related.
4) Artistic Quality (Scale 1-5)
Part One: Ranking, follow the above instructions, using a minimum of one paragraph.
Part Two:
Using a minimum of one paragraph for each element, list each of the 5 artistic elements separately and describe in detail how your
selection is related.
Answer the following questions specifically and completely.
5) Diversity:
According to Louise Derman Sparks, “The visual and verbal messages young children absorb from books and other media strongly
influence their ideas about themselves and others.” Using the attached rubric students will analyze the selected book for bias, cultural
diversity and gender sensitivity. Once you have scored the book, describe in a minimum of two paragraphs what you learned and how
you will apply that knowledge to working with young children.
6) Using Bloom’s taxonomy, list 3 specific learning objectives for using this book selection with children. After each learning objective
describe in a minimum of one paragraphs why you chose this objective and how you will access children to make sure that the objective
is met.7) References:
Include a reference page of your adult source material using APA format.
Students will use the format provided to write an analysis of the bias, cultural diversity and gender sensitivity in a Realistic Fiction book
for children. For each criteria listed, give a score from 0-5 as to how well the indicator is met. If you score a 5 then you are saying it
meets all criteria, If you score a 3 you are saying that the indicator is partially met.
Use this rubric as a guideline when writing your answer to Question #5
Indicator
5
5
5
5
TOTALS
Text Quality
There are no distortions or omissions of time, setting or history.
Syntax, grammar, word usage etc. makes the story easy to read for the intended age of the children.
Various perspectives are presented
The story is well written and interesting to children.
Check the Story Line
The book has a balance of different people in active roles and shows lifestyles, gender, aging, ethnicity, and
people with a disability as positive and
competent.
Problems have a positive outcome and are resolved in the story. The problems faced by people from parallel cultures are resolved
through the strengths of the characters.
The achievements of girls and women are due to their own initiative and work. These achievements are not based on their appearance
or their relationship with the dominant character in the story.
Older people, males and females of color are portrayed as compassionate leaders.