This Week’s Video.

Campaigning for more diverse books.

Question: Do fiction books need to represent real life?

Think about fiction books.

What is a fiction book?

What was the last fiction book you read?

Do you have a favourite fiction book?

Why is it your favourite?

Record a list of fiction book titles on the board.

Do any of these books represent real life?

Do you think they should? 

Look at resource 2, where some people share their opinions about whether fiction books should represent real life or not.

Who do you agree with most? Why? 

Think about one of your favourite books. Which parts of the book could be real life and which parts could not? Can you think of any stories that are very unlike reality?

Did you enjoy this story?

Do you think it is possible to give younger children the wrong messages or false hope if a story doesn’t represent real life?

Sebastian thinks that although fiction books are made up, they still represent some reality as we can identify with characters and the story messages and lessons. Do you agree with this?

Can you think of a character that you identify with?

Why do you identify with them?

Reflection.

Fiction books are made up. The characters, places and events are imaginary. Some of us may enjoy fiction books that represent real life; others may prefer to escape to a fantasy world.