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L.1 Reading literature: fantasy

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What is fantasy literature?

Fantasy literature is a type of story that includes magical elements, imaginary worlds, or characters with special powers. These stories go beyond the real world and often include adventures, quests, and lessons to learn.

Examples:
  • A story about a dragon that helps a young hero on a quest.
  • A kingdom where animals can talk and rule alongside people.
  • A magical forest that only appears at midnight.
Note

Fantasy stories are not true, but they often teach real lessons about courage, kindness, or friendship.

Identifying characters and settings

When reading fantasy literature, pay close attention to the characters (who the story is about) and the setting (where the story takes place). These parts of a fantasy story may be unusual or magical, which makes them different from realistic stories.

Examples:
  • Character: A wizard who studies spells.
  • Setting: A castle floating in the clouds.
Note

Ask yourself: Is this a place or character I could see in the real world? If not, it is likely part of the fantasy elements of the story.

Understanding themes in fantasy stories

The theme is the main message or lesson the story teaches. Fantasy stories often explore themes like bravery, friendship, good versus evil, or believing in yourself.

Examples:
  • A young hero learns that working with friends is stronger than working alone.
  • A kingdom discovers that kindness can defeat greed.
Note

Look at how the main character changes. That change often shows the theme of the story.

Using reading strategies

Good readers use strategies to understand fantasy literature. These include predicting what might happen, visualizing the magical world, and asking questions while reading.

Strategies:
  • Predicting: โ€œThe hero found a key. I predict it will open a secret door.โ€
  • Visualizing: Imagine what the enchanted forest looks like as you read the description.
  • Asking questions: โ€œWhy does the dragon want to help the villagers?โ€
Note

Using reading strategies makes fantasy stories easier to understand and more enjoyable to read.

Comparing fantasy to real life

Even though fantasy stories are imaginary, they often connect to real-life experiences. Readers can compare the challenges characters face in fantasy with challenges people face in real life.

Examples:
  • A hero facing a dragon is like a student facing a difficult testโ€”both need courage.
  • A kingdom divided by magic may be like a community learning how to work together.
Note

Ask: How does this magical problem remind me of something real? This helps make deeper connections to the story.