Thursday, December 4, 2014

Fantasy and Science Fiction Novels



Defining Science Fiction and Fantasy
Science Fiction
Elements of Literature
Fantasy
The major events might really happen, based on scientific facts that we know or theorize to be true. 

PLOT

The major events could not happen, according to science as we know it today.  

Time: Usually in the near or distant future.  Place: Earth, or another location that real scientists theorize may exist. 

SETTING

Time: Usually right now or in the past, perhaps "Once upon a time." Place: May be a realistic place on earth, or in an alternate world.

The characters solve a problem by using actual or theorized scientific data.

PROBLEM
(Conflict)
The characters solve a problem by using magic or impossible strategies. This has to happen in the book for it to be fantasy.

Fictional: but they act in ways that make sense from a scientific point of view. 

CHARACTERS

Fictional: but they act in ways that make sense in a fantasy situation.

A subgenre of science fiction is dystopian fiction which deals with possibilities for future societies that may seem to be perfect but have serious problems.

For our purposes we will count paranormal books as a subgenre of fantasy.  Examples would include
The Graveyard Book and the Twilight series.
Some books blend these two genres.  For instance, Artemis Fowl uses modern and futuristic technology, but also interacts with fairies and leprechauns and other "magical" creatures.


On this post you will find lists of fantasy and science fiction novels :



Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu and Erin McGuire

The Real Boy by Anne Ursu and Erin McGuire

About Fantasy
  • Events occur outside the ordinary laws that operate within the universe.
  • Magic is central to the fantasy genre.
  • Fantasy stories often involve journeys and quests.
http://childliterature.net/childlit/fantasy/

http://cavemanenglish.pbworks.com/Recommended-Books



Science fiction is a genre of fiction in which the stories often tell about science and technology of the future. It may be set in space or on the Earth or another world.

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson927/SciFiDefinition.pdf
Recommended Science Fiction:  Scroll down to the list for middle school. 
http://www.onlinecollegesanduniversities.net/blog/2011/the-80-greatest-science-fiction-books-for-kids/