[CALIBK12] Define Contemporary Fiction

[Thomas Nixon]

Yet one more English teacher attempting to kill the love of reading! Sigh...

I say that being a former English teacher. Absolutely Breaking Dawn is contemporary fiction. Is it perhaps in a sub-set of that group? Probably. Could an argument be made that it is not realistic fiction? Yes (well, unless you believe in vampires). However, it sounds like they were offered a choice of either contemporary fiction or realistic fiction.

I think the teacher is trying to make a distinction between Literature (with a capital 'L') and contemporary fiction. My take is that the barrier between the two is not as strong as it once was, particularly in YA.

All that being said, is it worth a fight (or even a conversation) with the teacher? Probably not in your case because your daughter is fortunate enough to have you to watch out for her reading needs.



Tom Nixon
--
Teacher Librarian
Tehipite Middle School
630 N. Augusta Street
Fresno, CA 93701
(559) 457-3420, x. 570
Web: http://www.tehipitelibrary.org<http://www.tehipitelibrary.org/>
Blog: http://notyourmotherslibrarian.blogspot.com<http://notyourmotherslibrarian.blogspot.com/>

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From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu on behalf of Larry & Tania Guyer
Sent: Mon 10/6/2008 11:51 AM
To: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: [CALIBK12] Define Contemporary Fiction

Yesterday, my daughter brought a Language Arts issue to my attention, and I have to say I'm stumped. Her 8th grade teacher has assigned her students to do a book report, on either a realistic fiction or contemporary fiction book. My daughter chose Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer for contemporary fiction, and the teacher shot down her selection (in front of class), informing her that fantasy or science fiction does not qualify as contemporary fiction. Now, I suggested she just go with what the teacher says, and she has gone one to work on Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Now, the mama bear in me want to argue with the lady, and point out that her instructions were not clear enough; she didn't define realistic or contemporary fiction on her handout. Here's the big question: How do you define contemporary fiction, especially for middle/high school students? Is it specific? Is it broad?

Thanks,
Tatiana Guyer
Librarian
Mayfield Junior School


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