What is realistic fiction? It is a genre consisting of stories that could have actually occurred to people or animals. These stories have  real life situations, and fictional characters within the stories react the same way real people do. These stories have plots that highlight social or personal events or issues that are similar to contemporary life. Realistic fiction stories tend to take place in the present or recent past and have characters who are involved in events that could happen. These characters live in places that could be or are real. The characters seem like real people with real issues solved in a realistic way. The events portrayed in realistic fiction makes the reader question how they could face the events in everyday life. 

Today I Feel Silly & Other MOODS That Make My Day

Author: Jamie Lee Curtis

Illustrator: Laura Cornell

This book is about a little girl who is feeling, exploring, and expressing her many moods. Silly, cranky, excited, or sad, everyone has moods that can change each day. This book encourages kids to do just that and it encourages families to identify and talk about different moods and why they happen. I think this is a great metal health book for kids and adults. I think our children could use more books like this to help them understand and identify why they may be feeling the way they feel.The illustrations also carry the very valuable message that we all have moods and will be happier if we learn to expect, understand, and explore them. As the little girls moods change, so does the clutter, and colors change too. When she feels silly, bright, dramatic colors, and geometric shapes fill the page, when she feels confused the page goes sideways as if to say I'm so confused, I don't know which way to turn. At the end of the book, there is an interactive cardboard face that you can turn to express all of the moods. There is also a question, How do you feel? I love this book and hope you will enjoy reading it too!

What is Contemporary Realistic Fiction? They are stories and novels that mimic the real world which includes historical fiction. 

The Time Warp Trio: Oh Say, I Can't See

Author: Jon Scieszka

Illustrator: Adam McCauley

This story is a fictional story that involves General George Washington crossing the Delaware River so he could surprise the British enemy troops and win the war. Samantha, Joe, and Fred are the time warp trio who time warp into various events that have taken place. Only The Book can take them there and bring them back home. This story happened in the middle of Christmas night in 1776 in a surprise attack, General George Washington led his American Colonial troop across the Delaware River to New Jersey. There the Americans battled the British and and won! The illustrations throughout the book are humorous and go well with the plot and theme of the story. I enjoyed this little gem and look forward to reading the other books in this series.