tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post2965515210892438685..comments2024-03-24T07:39:07.530-04:00Comments on Celebrate Nonfiction: Is It Fiction or Nonfiction? A TwitterchatMelissa Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-41164647011986880952019-02-11T15:02:30.902-05:002019-02-11T15:02:30.902-05:00Yes, a colored sticker on the spine could work. As...Yes, a colored sticker on the spine could work. As long as kids know what the stickers mean, they can easily differentiate between books in which everything is true and based on verified research vs books in which some elements are fictional.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-40309187602627815492019-02-11T14:59:00.479-05:002019-02-11T14:59:00.479-05:00Good luck with your book!Good luck with your book!Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-54129396462013625112019-02-08T10:22:10.796-05:002019-02-08T10:22:10.796-05:00You're absolutely right about informational/en...You're absolutely right about informational/entertaining. That was a swing and a miss on my part! Non-fiction isn't really a truly accurate term for the Dewey section as it stands in most libraries, however, so I am still struggling with the best way to label it.<br /><br />I can see the separate section for informational fiction, but I also like having it interfiled with the non-fiction. Most children looking for books on a particular topic would be equally happy with true non-fiction or informational fiction. Maybe we could use spine labels to indicate which books are informational fiction, but leave them in the non-fiction section.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12280186031502734643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-21038883449946662422019-02-01T21:30:56.377-05:002019-02-01T21:30:56.377-05:00Great discussion! I’m glad I found this since I th...Great discussion! I’m glad I found this since I think I just wrote my first informational fiction pb.As a former librarian, I was very interested in that aspect of the discussion as well.BJ Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05810656260650783785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-85387084781373204482019-01-31T14:05:14.398-05:002019-01-31T14:05:14.398-05:00So glad it's helpful!So glad it's helpful!Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-77369055137839735392019-01-31T14:04:36.382-05:002019-01-31T14:04:36.382-05:00Yes, it's a great discussion with many differe...Yes, it's a great discussion with many different and interesting points of view.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-62140024962336106812019-01-31T14:02:54.111-05:002019-01-31T14:02:54.111-05:00I completely agree.I completely agree.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-25999102166410364462019-01-31T14:00:47.378-05:002019-01-31T14:00:47.378-05:00Informational fiction does include historical book...Informational fiction does include historical books as well as STEM books, Arts books, etc.<br /><br />The problem with "creative nonfiction" is that it is used in so many different ways. Some people use it to refer to any narrative nonfiction. Other people use it to describe expository literature and narrative nonfiction. In both these cases, absolutely nothing can be made up.<br /><br />The problem with including invented dialog and using the backmatter as a "get out of jail free card," is that kids (and adults) often don't read the backmatter. Even if a child reads it, s/he may need an adult to help unpack it, and there isn't always an adult available.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-4352228812772727092019-01-31T13:53:02.240-05:002019-01-31T13:53:02.240-05:00You're right, it is complicated.
Information...You're right, it is complicated. <br /><br />Informational fiction is an umbrella term for historical fiction, STEM-based fiction, Arts fiction, etc. <br /><br />I think one of the potential dangers of eliminating Dewey completely is that every library would be different, which can be confusing or overwhelming for patrons that use many different libraries. That's why Dewey proposed his system in the first place.<br /><br />But I do think it might be possible to create a new, separate section for informational fiction. This would really only be for picture books. MG/YA nonfiction rarely introduces fictional elements.<br /><br />I'm strongly opposed to the idea of calling a book either informational or entertaining. Many, many books are both. And I don't think any author's purpose is to either inform or entertain. Both fiction and nonfiction authors have an idea or a story that they are compelled to share. They have a strong deep personal connection.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-69124348641615139932019-01-31T13:18:44.350-05:002019-01-31T13:18:44.350-05:00Fascinating! As a children's librarian, I won...Fascinating! As a children's librarian, I wonder about scrapping fiction/nonfiction shelving altogether. If we are trying to meet the users' information seeking needs, maybe collections would be better divided by the book's purpose - is it informational or entertainment? Although many kids are entertained by information, so maybe that distinction is not quite right. But Dewey as it stands has tons of problems (if I had a nickel for every time I had to explain why I have fairy tales in the non-fiction section...) so I could instead see it broken down into areas - science, history, tales, etc. with non-fiction and informational fiction (maybe even historical fiction? not sure) together. It's a complicated issue, for sure.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12280186031502734643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-83095178415383085272019-01-24T07:50:24.385-05:002019-01-24T07:50:24.385-05:00For my MFA critical thesis about picture book biog...For my MFA critical thesis about picture book biographies a couple of years ago, I deeply researched the nonfiction/fiction topic by interviewing editors, librarians, and Library of Congress catalogers and comparing their feedback to the nonfiction award criteria. It was fascinating! I have a lot to add to this conversation once I return home AND my current WIP is wrapped up. Thanks for the conversation, Melissa, et al!Donna Janell Bowmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08964850879240370397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-10699534777569971582019-01-23T20:40:04.027-05:002019-01-23T20:40:04.027-05:00I've really enjoyed reading this discussion, a...I've really enjoyed reading this discussion, and all the ways in which to look at writing. I'm struggling with an informational NF PB and so much of what was said here, will make me go back and think, deeply think and rearrange. Thank you all.Virginia Rinkelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13436571974803945937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-81354339800187561482019-01-23T19:19:47.932-05:002019-01-23T19:19:47.932-05:00Wonderful discussion and thank you to all who part...Wonderful discussion and thank you to all who participated and shared their candid thoughts. I loved the point Kate Messner made about how even historical figures, in the primary sources we read, might have not relayed exactly what happened. And I love what Barb Rosenstock said...we need to honest about what we are writing. But Debbie Viardi's point is well-taken...kids and adults may not take note of the disclosure that all is not exactly the truth. But the best thing of all of this is that there was open and honest communication amongst the participants and, even when there was disagreement, it was respectfully offered. Thank you so much, Melissa, for putting this all together, especially for those of us who might have missed it in real time.Vivian Kirkfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08745749939523672713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-91032787977710296402019-01-23T14:00:23.077-05:002019-01-23T14:00:23.077-05:00I worry very much about child readers who are stil...I worry very much about child readers who are still young enough to look for everything to fit neatly into a category but who are reading independently. This gives a great overview of the issue from their perspective. I'm disturbed that some will learn "facts" that are untrue. Children often skip back matter, especially when reading for pleasure. In fact, adults do too. For these reasons, I think we need ways to categorize the hybrids to make it clear that's what they are. But there are so many styles of hybrid that this may not be feasible. It's an interesting problem.Debbie Vilardihttps://www.debbievilardi.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-10764871899761908992019-01-23T13:58:49.126-05:002019-01-23T13:58:49.126-05:00I worry very much about child readers who are stil...I worry very much about child readers who are still young enough to look for everything to fit neatly into a category but who are reading independently. This gives a great overview of the issue from their perspective. I'm disturbed that some will learn "facts" that are untrue. Children often skip back matter, especially when reading for pleasure. In fact, adults do too. For these reasons, I think we need ways to categorize the hybrids to make it clear that's what they are. But there are so many styles of hybrid that this may not be feasible. It's an interesting problem.Debbie Vilardihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02102861660641945753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-59162150351972975602019-01-23T12:44:13.729-05:002019-01-23T12:44:13.729-05:00I love this thread!! This is getting bookmarked. I...I love this thread!! This is getting bookmarked. I once thought the distinction between fiction and nonfiction was so clear, but there are so many nuances.Lydia Lukidishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09552692331868618436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-50713333555746202502019-01-23T12:20:24.607-05:002019-01-23T12:20:24.607-05:00I've never heard "fact-based fiction.&quo...I've never heard "fact-based fiction." Way back when Magic School Bus came out, some academic educators were calling it "faction," but that term didn't seem to pick up much traction. "Informational fiction" seems to be the most popular descriptor.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-78831428799930617262019-01-23T12:06:41.481-05:002019-01-23T12:06:41.481-05:00I watched this unfold on Twitter and loved the dis...I watched this unfold on Twitter and loved the discourse and analysis. Two of my books have been categorized by reviewers as fiction, nonfiction, infofic, narrative nonfiction, and fiction with real science elements. I find them on both fiction and nonfiction shelves in libraries. I've struggled to find the right category for them as well and informational fiction fits the best...so far. I also wonder about 'fact-based fiction' - has this description been debated? Carrie Pearson, children's book authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10603456438982762663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-91298378743218892212019-01-23T11:38:54.111-05:002019-01-23T11:38:54.111-05:00Thank you so much for sharing this here, Melissa. ...Thank you so much for sharing this here, Melissa. What a fascinating conversation. I'm especially grateful that you shared it since I am not on twitter, and would otherwise have missed it. <br /><br />So many interesting questions and factors to consider here. I like the idea of calling it informational fiction or even creative nonfiction, and I think this umbrella term works well for most informational content with the exception of historical stuff, like biographies. There I think it's critical to note when things like dialogue are invented, and then it could be termed historical fiction or historical informational fiction, like in novels, and the approached can be best addressed in the backmatter or author's note. That would also be a great way as many noted for teachers to begin the conversation. Maria Gianferrarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04702731735297812779noreply@blogger.com