Secret Place (Realistic Fiction)

Secret Place was written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Ted Rand. It was published by Clarion Books in 1996 and is recommended for second grade.

A little boy and a few of his friends that live near-by found a place in their bustling city where wildlife has made its way. It is really odd because everything around them is city-like, and it doesn't fit. The little boy is amazed at all of the animals he sees that live there, and after being told that someone may change this area, he decides to keep it his "secret place."

Secret Place is a good recommendation of realistic fiction for children because it brings to light something children don't hear about much. Wildlife is destroyed all the time by cities, and animals are left to survive on what's left. This animal-themed story is enjoyable and suitable for young children. Bunting also avoided any possible stereotyping by including various ethnicities. The plot is credible and the characters come across very convincing. Any group of city people would be intrigued by the "secret place" described in the story.

However, without Rand's beautiful illustrations, this story wouldn't have been as wonderful. His watercolor paintings flowed well with the text and enhanced it greatly.

Before reading the book, take the students outside to look at the nature around them. This should prepare them to observe the animals more closely in the story later. When you read the book to them, they should listen carefully to the descriptions of the animals and use the illustrations as a prompt to create opinions or predictions. Have them write a response about what they think will happen to the animals in the story and why.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.7
Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.1
Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.