One of the realistic fiction novels that I have enjoyed was "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen. It is about a thirteen-year-old boy named Brian Robeson who is going to spend the summer with his father in Canada when the pilot of the single engine plane in which he is flying has a heart attack. The plane crashes into a lake in the wilderness, leaving Brian alone in the woods with nothing but the clothes that he has on and a hatchet that his mother gave him before he left. During the fifty-four days that he is in the wilderness, he learns to read nature, face his fears, rely on his own skills, and deal with the secret that caused his parents to get a divorce. He faces many dangers including hunger, animal attacks, and even a tornado. He seems to grow up in ways that he never expected. He is no longer angry at his parents and realizes that self-pity does not have a positive effect on his life. He is a survivor.
Even though I knew that the story wasn't real, I realized that it could happen to someone. It made me realize that we need to be prepared for anything in life even when you least expect it. Brian never dreamed that he would be in a plane crash and would have to survive by himself in the wilderness for a long time, but he used his knowledge and skills that he was taught to survive long enough to be rescued. He conquered all his fears and kept his cool during situations that were very dangerous such as an attack by a moose and being sprayed by a skunk. When I was reading this novel, it made me feel that I was actually right there with Brian and experiencing everything that he was experiencing. It seemed very real and believable and that is what a realistic fiction novel is supposed to do. This novel gave me a better understanding of what it is like to survive in an untamed land.
There are also some short stories that were written as realistic fiction. The three that I read were "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, "The Ransom of Red Chief" by William Snyder Porter, better known as O. Henry, and "End of the Line" by Alison L. Randall. All three of these short stories were very real, believable and possible. The characters actions in each of these short stories showed how to deal with situations that they were put in such as danger, poverty, and friendship. In the short story "The Gift of the Magi", it shows the way that we should live our lives, with love first, giving second, and possession last and below everything else. In this real setting, there is humor and a surprise ending while including realistic details. The characters of Della and Jim show self-sacrifice and generosity by Della for cutting her hair so that she can buy Jim a present and by Jim for selling his watch to buy her combs for her long hair. This story not only seemed realistic but could happen to anyone who doesn't have enough money to get things for someone that they care about.
"The Ransom of Red Chief" is about two con men Bill Driscoll and Sam Porter, who decide to kidnap someone for a ransom. They decide to take the son of Ebenezer Dorset, a prominent citizen, who is very well respected. They soon find out that their choice of victim, who assumes the name Red Chief, believes that he is actually on a camping adventure and he takes control over the situation. He causes so much trouble for the two con men that they eventually in the end beg his father to take him back. His father wants them to pay him to take him back so they accept their defeat at the hands of the nine-year-old, but welcome the opportunity to finally be rid of him. This story not only had humor, but was very interesting to read. It made me want to continue to read it just to find out what other mischief the boy could create. It took me into the story and realized that there are some children like this boy in the world today that would act like this if they were kidnapped.