Realistic Fiction

                                      By Kate Dicamillo

Because of Winn-Dixie, a 2000 Newberry Honor award winner, takes readers of all ages on a journey through the eyes of a ten-year old girl during a hot summer in the small, southern town of Naomi, Florida.  It is during this summer, Idia- Opal learns several of life's hard lessons all while developing relationships (with both people and her beloved dog, Winn-Dixie) she will never forget. During the first half of the novel, the reader gets to know Opal, her family, her background, and her attitudes. Opal is an only child, in a single parent household.  She refers to few father as "the preacher" due to a harbored resentment surrounding the absence of her mother. Her father is a preacher at a small, make-shift church and is so preoccupied with his own feelings of loss, he often "blocks" those around him out of his "own world" of grief.  Opal compares his behavior with that of a turtle hiding in its shell. At the beginning of the summer, Opal is lonely, bored, and contemplating the reasons for her mother's absence. It isn't until she meets Winn-Dixie that her life and attitudes begin to change. 

Opal finds an abandoned dog at the grocery store who she names Winn-Dixie (the name of the store). Opal relates to Winn-Dixie because he too was abandoned and looked like he was in need of love and care.  Both Opal and her father immediately fall in love with Winn-Dixie and accept him as a member of their family.  The only downfall to Winn-Dixie's arrival is the fact that he is terrified of thunderstorms and runs around crazily when he hears thunder. Winn-Dixie's fear of thunderstorms mirrors Opal's fear of abandonment.  Both provide comfort to each other when this fear emerges in the story. 

Winn-Dixie broadens Opal's circle of friends (or lack there of) throughout the summer. Opal spends her time volunteering at a pet store with a man named Otis, listening to stories from the town librarian Miss Franny, reading to her neighbor Gloria, and conversing with the only other children in town, Sweetie Pie, Amanda and the Dewberry boys. Each character plays a role in the development of the story based on a certain flaw or circumstance. This flaw serves as the underlying foundation for the character's relationship with Opal. For example, Opal is able to relate to Gloria because Gloria is a recovering alcoholic who hangs bottles from a tree in her yard that represent the "ghosts" in her past that continue to haunt her.  Opal's mother was an alcoholic so Opal is able to understand Gloria's "mistakes of her past" that are represented by the "ghosts." Opal accepts Gloria, flaws and all, and they develop a strong friendship by the end of the book. 

The ending offers a resolution to immediate and ongoing problems/struggles in the plot.  Opal has learned the value of friendship, love, and acceptance.  She even begins calling her father "daddy" instead of "the preacher" which represents the various changes in her attitudes and view of life.  Winn-Dixie's character transitions from Opal's main source of comfort to "one of the crowd" of loved ones in her life. The sincerity and genuine writing style of the author makes it evident why this book received a Newberry Honor Medal. 

By R.J. Palacio

This book was released in 2012 and is considered a "candidate" for the 2013 Newberry Award.  Palacio uses a specific layout/organization that exposes readers to multiple character perspectives of the plot. The plot centers around a year in the life of ten year old August experiencing "a real school" for the very first time.  August has a severe physical deformity that resulted from a rare genetic combination.  He was born with a cleft palate, displaced eyes, misshapen ears, and a large, wide nose. He has undergone thirteen operations on his face and will most likely need more as he grows and develops. The majority of his childhood was spent in and out of hospitals, home schooled, and isolated from society.  August becomes extremely apprehensive when his parents suggest he attend a private middle school at the beginning of the fifth grade school year. August fears rejection from the other students, the teachers and the principal (even though he says he is "used to" being stared at, whispered about, and treated like he is different.) 

 The reader is taken on a journey through the eyes and heart of a brave, resilient, and strong little boy who is determined to acclimate into his new environment.  He experiences kindness, friendship and ongoing support as well as humiliation, bullying, and torment. Palicio divides the chapters into segments narrated by different characters in the book (August, his sister, his sister's boyfriend, a true friend, a bully, a friend who betrays him, and an old friend of his sister who has also been a constant in his life).  Each character's narrative provides a different and unique perspective on August's situation. For example, his sister's narrative offers the reader a view from the perspective of a sibling of a special needs child. Her needs are often put "on the back burner" due to the amount of support and attention August needs from his parents.  She never resents August in anyway, but does feel ignored and embarrassed at times. Her boyfriend's narrative describes the point of view of "an outsider" of the family. He provides an honest description of the family's dynamics and society's opinions and treatment of August. The majority of the chapters are in August's perspective so the reader experiences the authenticity of August's feelings. 

Palacio includes many quotes from songs (specifically Natalie Merchant) and famous people throughout the book.  She includes these quotes to describe a specific character, situation, or personality. Each character's narrative contains a quotation and illustration that define his or her personality or perspective.  The layout, organization and subject matter make this book an emotional and unique read for adolescents and upper elementary students.  It promotes kindness, acceptance, and peace.

By Beverly Cleary

This is the second book in the Ramona Quimby series. There are eight books total, telling Ramona's story from nursery school through the age of ten. Ramona is a spunky, outgoing yet sensitive character experiencing the many lessons children learn throughout childhood. Ramona displays the typical behaviors and mental processes most kindergarten children possess. Ramona is ready to go to school and begin her journey towards independence, but she also yearns for the comfort and protection of "being the baby" of the family. 

Ramona struggles with self-restrain (pulling Susan's "boing-boing" curls), the need for acceptance and approval (especially from her teacher Mrs. Binney, her family, and friend Howie) and adjusting to new routines and procedures. Ramona puts on a "strong and brave" front for the reader the majority of the time, but does eventually reveal her acute sensitivity and need for protection and comfort when things don't always go her way. Ramona's character is highly relatable to a younger audience. Younger readers will "look up" to Ramona's bravery, laugh at her spunky behavior and understand her feelings and emotions.  Older readers will remember experiencing the same feelings and situations as Ramona and will also appreciate the humor and light-heartedness. 

Ramona the Pest was first published in 1968. The cover of the book has changed over the years to acclimate to the current time period. The art technique also varies from cover to cover. The first cover (on the right) uses "realism" and sharpened detail to portray the characters. The second cover released (on left) uses a more "cartoon-like" style to convey a playful and juvenile feel. The current cover (above) contains a more flat, and simplified technique. The colors are solid and Ramona appears mischeivous yet lovable. All of the portrayals of Ramona reflect her personality: fun-loving, brave, and curious.  Eventhough time passes around the reader, Ramona never grows old. She stays young and fun for the next generation of young readers. 

The Ramona Quimbly series has gained such popularity over the years that the book Ramonia and Beezus became a movie appealing to children and families. The movie website is http://www.beverlycleary.com/movie.aspx.  Readers can find more information about the movie and other books by Beaverly Clearly. 

By Edward Bloor

I read this book the first time for a children's literature course during undergraduate school.  I remember it arriving from Amazon the week before class and thinking, "This going to be a boy's book." I was not enthisiastic about reading it. However, to this day I have to say it is one of my top favorite young adult books of all time. Just mentioning the name of this book or the author Edward Bloor brings the image of the characters staying up all night though the cold spraying tangerine trees with warm water to save the fruit and the business. I also immediately remember learning about "sink holes" and "koi fish" for the very first time (yes in college!). This book transfered far more than a story to my mind. 

After reading this book a second time, I drew even more meaning and significance from the details, themes, and characters. I remember thinking the main character Paul Fisher was just a down-to-earth, intelligent,wise and nice kid. I feel even more strongly the second time around.  His character is definitely much more developed for someone of his age. The way he approaches and deals with hardship and the arrogance and crueltythat surrounds him truly defines him as the character with the biggest heart and mind of any other I have come across in literature. His character is an ideal rolemodel for upper elementary and high school students. 

The storyline itself contains themes and issues appealing to a wide audience, not just a masculine one that I had originally surmised. Bloor exposes many difficult themes such as racism, disability, violence, bullying, and stigma. His use of literary technique absolutely shines throughout the book. For example, the wealthy nighborhood, home to all of the well-to-do families (who mostly possess arrogance, racism, and are judgemental of everyone outside of their status) was built on ground containing sink-holes. These sink-holes attract numerous bugs and diseases. All of the houses in this neighborhood have netting surrounding them as a means to keep out the bugs. The atmosphere surrounding the homes is humid, smokey (from forest fires) and foul-smelling.  However, the "poor" neighborhood doesn't posses any of these problems and actually displays beauty (trees, plants, nature). Bloor purposefully created these different neighborhoods with opposing qualities to reflect the attitudes and actions of the residents. This is just one of many ways Bloor uses literary technique to signify a point or support a theme. 

I had an excellent professor while reading and discussing this book for the first time. The class discussions heightened my understanding and broadened my ideas pertaining to the book's attributes. I would use this book in the same manner if I was teaching a middle or high school English class.  I would even use it as a read-aloud for forth or fifth graders. All older students can appreciate and learn from this quality piece of literature.