Rising Seventh Grade Students

The students will read two novels, one realistic fiction novel and one fantasy novel.

The students will choose one of the following five realistic fiction novels:

The Maze by Will Hobbs

Tangerine by Edward Bloor

Homecoming by Cynthia Voight

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Creigh George

The students will choose one of the following five fantasy novels:

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

Project Guidelines:

The students will produce a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the two novels.

A Venn diagram consists of two overlapping circles. Similarities between the two books should be placed in the center where the two circles overlap. Differences should go in the outer portions of each circle.

The Venn diagram should be drawn on a sheet of white 8 ½ by 11 printer paper. Draw the circles neatly using a protractor or a round object as a pattern. The Venn diagram will be displayed in the hallway once we return to school.

Aspects of the books that the students should evaluate as part of their Venn diagram include:

Setting - Fantasy novels usually take place in mythical worlds while realistic fiction takes place in settings that actually exist.

Characters - Fantasy novels usually have characters other than humans that take on human characteristics. For example, the main character in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a lion who talks.

The Venn Diagram will be used during the first weeks of school as part of a class discussion on the differences between realistic fiction and fantasy fiction.