Final answer:
Children's realistic fiction novels should tell believable and possible stories reflecting real-world scenarios appropriate for the child's age. These stories often contain relatable characters and situations, subtly imparting life lessons without overt moralizing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Novels of realistic fiction for children need to present believable and possible stories that reflect the real world while remaining appropriate for the child's age. These stories often focus on everyday experiences and challenges that children can relate to, and tend to avoid elements of fantasy or improbable events.
They provide a mirror to reality, teaching lessons about life and human interaction. Through these narratives, children can explore various emotions and situations in a safe and structured environment, often conveyed through the lives of characters that may be similar to themselves or others they might know.
Realistic fiction for young readers functions best when it avoids being too pessimistic or didactic, instead providing a balanced view of life's complexities through relatable characters and situations. While moral lessons can be a part of realistic fiction, stories are most successful when these lessons are naturally integrated into the plot and the character's development rather than being overtly preached.