E.B.

Prof. Kalas

ECE 260

16 September 2017

Contemporary Realistic Fiction Book File

 #1 – younger readers

 Author: Yuki Kaneko

 Title: Into the Snow

 Publisher: Enchanted Lions Books

 Summary: A toddler’s experience and exploration in the new-fallen snow.

Evaluation

 Plot

o Believability (absence of coincidence/sentimentality, etc.): 10

 Comment: The relatable, ordinary story of a child enjoying the snow.

o Major dramatic question (clear early in book?): Yes.

 Comment: What will happen out in the snow?

o Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.): 6

 Comment: Little conflict. The story climaxes with the child spinning out

on his sled, and concludes with him coming in for hot chocolate.

Satisfactory ending.

o Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence,

understatement, unexpected insights, line in sand, etc.): 7

  Comment: Simple text, easy for young ones to read and understand. Clear

and precise descriptions. Unfortunate use of “buzz words” (“Wheeee!

Aaagh!”)

o Pacing: 8

 Comment: Good pacing for a short story.

o Character (dynamic protagonist, characters “ring true” [including cultural

considerations], etc.): 6

 Comment: Simple characters for a simple plot. Both child and mother

fulfill their fixed roles in the story without going beyond those roles.

o Setting (detail, texture): 7

 Comment: Well-described settings in simple terms.

o Theme (absence of overt didacticism?): 8

 Comment: No sign of didacticism. Children will enjoy this story without

feeling tricked into learning something. A theme of curiosity, young

wonder, and exploration.

o Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.): 8

 Comment: Excited, happy tone of a young child.

o Is it a well-rounded piece? 7

 Comment: A fine story for young readers, with unique illustrations and

endearing plot.

o Overall rating: 8

 Comment: A colorful and exciting look at a child’s play in the snow.

  #2 – younger readers

 Author: Shirley Hughes

 Title: Don’t Want to Go!

 Publisher: Random House Children’s Books

 Summary: When her mother is sick and her father has to work, a little girl learns how to

adapt to new surroundings.

Evaluation

 Plot

o Believability (absence of coincidence/sentimentality, etc.): 8

 Comment: The only point of disbelief is how everything turns out good

and Lily has no negative experiences in her day. However, other than that,

this story is an ordinary experience that both children and parents can

relate to.

o Major dramatic question (clear early in book?): Yes, but slow.

 Comment: Will Lily like staying with Melanie?

o Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.): 7

 Comment: Fine points of interest and conflict, with happy and satisfying

conclusion.

o Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence,

understatement, unexpected insights, line in sand, etc.): 6

 Comment: Simple language used, with simple dialogue. Nothing wrong

with it, but nothing of interest to note either.

o Pacing: 8
  Comment: Moves along at a good pace, leaving enough time for readers to

notice the slight emotional changes in Lily as the story progresses.

o Character (dynamic protagonist, characters “ring true” [including cultural

considerations], etc.): 8

 Comment: Good, down-to-earth characters. You can sense the urgency,

impatience, and forced cheerfulness in the father, the hesitancy in Lily,

and the friendliness of Melanie.

o Setting (detail, texture): 7

 Comment: Provides adequate setting establishment.

o Theme (absence of overt didacticism?): 7

 Comment: Being able to adjust quickly to new situations and surroundings

is a valuable skill.

o Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.): 7

 Comment: Slow, cautious curiosity that matches how Lily must feel.

o Is it a well-rounded piece? 7

 Comment:

o Overall rating: 7

 Comment: A nice simple book that children can identify with.

 #1 – older readers

 Author: Louis Sachar

 Title: Holes

 Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux

  Summary: After Stanley Yelnats is mistakenly accused of stealing, he is sent to a unique

behavioral modification camp for boys. It turns out that the camp’s “philosophy” is that if

bad boys digs holes every day, they’ll turn into good boys. Stanley uncovers a deeper

secret – the camp is actually looking for a bandit’s hidden treasure, and Stanley’s past

may be the key.

Evaluation

 Plot

o Believability (absence of coincidence/sentimentality, etc.): 8

 Comment: A very real boy from a very real family. Realistic, gritty setting

that makes you almost able to feel the heat and the blisters. Fantastic plot

in little ways (Stanley coincidentally getting arrested, Stanley and Zero

miraculously finding food in the desert), but this is a theme of the book.

Every seeming “coincidence” and loose thread ties together into one

beautiful, cohesive story.

o Major dramatic question (clear early in book?): Yes.

 Comment: What is Camp Green Lake’s secret?

o Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.): 9

 Comment: Really great tension and conflict throughout the book makes

readers excited to see what will happen next. Wonderful conclusion that

leaves a few pieces for the reader to put together.

o Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence,

understatement, unexpected insights, line in sand, etc.): 7

  Comment: Good use of precise language, as well as realistic, down-to-

earth dialogue. Descriptions make the book feel real.

o Pacing: 9

 Comment: Not only moves quickly and keeps readers engaged, but also

slows down appropriately for description or backstory.

o Character (dynamic protagonist, characters “ring true” [including cultural

considerations], etc.): 8

 Comment: All the characters, each with their diversity and quirks, are

well-developed.

o Setting (detail, texture): 8

 Comment: As stated earlier, the details are such that they make the reader

feel as if they were there in person. Details down to actions, surroundings,

and emotions.

o Theme (absence of overt didacticism?): 7

 Comment: Friendship, determination, destiny, and changing your fate.

o Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.): 7

 Comment: There’s almost a tone of expectation. Most of the book is

matter-of-fact.

o Is it a well-rounded piece? 8

 Comment: Well thought-out plot with characters to match.

o Overall rating: 8

 Comment: Intriguing plot that brings memorable characters all together in

order to change the course of fate.

  #2 – older readers

 Author: Sharon Creech

 Title: Walk Two Moons

 Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers

 Summary: A country girl embarks on a cross-country road trip with her grandparents in

order to find her mother and bring her home. While traveling, she retells the story of

Phoebe Winterbottom, a friend who also had to find her mother.

Evaluation

 Plot

o Believability (absence of coincidence/sentimentality, etc.): 8

 Comment:

o Major dramatic question (clear early in book?): Yes.

 Comment: From the first chapter, we get our answers: Why did Sal and

her father moved to Ohio? What is Phoebe’s story? What is Sal’s story?

o Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.): 8

 Comment: Lots of twists and turns, leaving loose ends that build into great

tension. Loose ends are tied together beautifully for a wonderful

conclusion.

o Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence,

understatement, unexpected insights, line in sand, etc.): 9

  Comment: Sharp, witty writing in both descriptions and dialogue. Precise

and figurative language, with lots of unexpected quirky similes.

Unexpected insights give readers something lasting to take away.

o Pacing: 7

 Comment: Fair pacing, but drags a bit in the middle. Main character is

nostalgic, so sometimes action in the present is disrupted by dwelling on

the past.

o Character (dynamic protagonist, characters “ring true” [including cultural

considerations], etc.): 9

 Comment: Characters are rich and lively and believable.

o Setting (detail, texture): 9

 Comment: Descriptions include little details that make scenes closer, more

personal, and easier to imagine.

o Theme (absence of overt didacticism?): 8

 Comment: Love is stronger than anything.

o Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.): 9

 Comment: Nostalgic, wistful, somber.

o Is it a well-rounded piece? 9

 Comment: Diverse, real characters against a tangible setting and intriguing

plot.

o Overall rating: 9

 Comment: An excellent depiction of an unordinary girl finding love,

identity, and the depth of life.

  #3 – older readers

 Author: Sharon Creech

 Title: Granny Torrelli Makes Soup

 Publisher: Scholastic Press

 Summary: Over an evening of making soup, Rosie tells her grandmother all of the

friendship woes she’s having with her best friend, Bailey.

Evaluation

 Plot

o Believability (absence of coincidence/sentimentality, etc.): 8

 Comment: A simple, earth story of an Italian family and ordinary bumps

in a friendship.

o Major dramatic question (clear early in book?): Yes, but slow.

 Comment: What happened between Bailey and Rosie?

o Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.): 8

 Comment: There is good conflict, both in Rosie’s story and in the

grandmother’s recollections. Tension rises appropriately through the story,

resulting in a satisfying ending.

o Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence,

understatement, unexpected insights, line in sand, etc.): 8

  Comment: Typically uses precise vocabulary, with occasional slips into

the figurative. Dialogue is in common speech and real. This book is full of

unexpected insights as well.

o Pacing: 8

 Comment: Story has movement – quick through action, slower through the

character’s ponderings

o Character (dynamic protagonist, characters “ring true” [including cultural

considerations], etc.): 8

 Comment: All characters are multi-dimensional and interesting. Rosie and

her grandmother in particular are deep, rich characters that feel real.

o Setting (detail, texture): 8

 Comment: Scenes are described in clear details that make them come

alive. Readers can feel what the characters feel due to the minute textures

included in descriptions.

o Theme (absence of overt didacticism?): 7

 Comment: Friendship should be highly valued, and you shouldn’t let a

bitterness or a grudge stop you from telling people what they really mean

to you.

o Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.): 8

 Comment: Sensory focus. Tone is of a naïve, inquisitive, effervescent

twelve-year-old.

o Is it a well-rounded piece? 8
  Comment: Well done on the emotional depth of the plot as well as the

characters.

o Overall rating: 8

 Comment: A funny, poignant, thought-provoking book for young and old.