1. Genre
SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

2. ROD SERLING SAYS…
• “Fantasy is the impossible made
probable. Science fiction is the
improbable made possible."

3. FANTASY CRITERIA
• Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where
magic and magical creatures are common
• The identifying traits of fantasy are the inclusion of fantastic
elements in a self-coherent (internally consistent) setting, where
inspiration from mythology and folklore remains a consistent theme.
• Within such a structure, any location of the fantastical element is
possible: it may be hidden in, or leak into the apparently real world
setting, it may draw the characters into a world with such elements,
or it may occur entirely in a fantasy world setting, where such
elements are part of the world.
• Essentially, fantasy follows rules of its own making, allowing magic
and other fantastic devices to be used and still be internally
cohesive.

4. • FROM THE CRITERIA: Any
location of the fantastical
element is possible: it may be
hidden in, or leak into the
apparently real world setting,
• The farm and the fair are the
apparently real world settings.
• The fantastical elements include
the talking animals and a world
that the humans know nothing
about.
CHARLOTTE’S WEB BY E.B. WHITE

5. SCIENCE FICTION CRITERIA
• A time setting in the future, in alternative timelines, or in a
historical past that contradicts known facts of history or the
archaeological record.
• A spatial setting or scenes in outer space (e.g. spaceflight),
on other worlds, or on subterranean earth.
• Characters that include aliens, mutants, androids, or
humanoid robots and other types of characters arising from a
future human evolution.
• Futuristic or plausible technology such as ray guns,
teleportation machines, and humanoid computers.
•

6. SCIENCE FICTION CRITERIA CONTINUED
• Scientific principles that are new or that contradict accepted
physical laws, for example time travel, wormholes, or faster-
than-light travel or communication.
• New and different political or social systems, e.g. dystopian,
post-scarcity, or post-apocalyptic.
• Paranormal abilities such as mind control, telepathy,
telekinesis, and teleportation.
• Other universes or dimensions and travel between them.

7. JUNE 29, 1999 BY DAVID WIESNER

10. WHICH OF THE SCIENCE FICTION CRITERIA FIT?
• A spatial setting or scenes in outer space (e.g.
spaceflight), on other worlds, or on subterranean
earth.
• Characters that include aliens, mutants,
androids, or humanoid robots and other types of
characters arising from a future human
evolution.

11. • In small groups (4 – 6)
discuss the reasons
THE UNDERNEATH is
considered Fantasy.
• Be prepared to share
with the large group.
•AND…
CHILDREN’S GROUP DISCUSSION

12. • In your small groups
come up with a short
list of children’s books
that fit into the Science
Fiction genre.
• Be prepared to share
with the large group.
SCIENCE FICTION CHALLENGE

13. • In small groups (4 – 6)
discuss the reasons THE
KNIFE OF NEVER
LETTING GO is considered
Science Fiction.
• Be prepared to share with
the large group.
• AND…
YA GROUP DISCUSSION

14. • In your small groups
come up with a short
list of children’s books
that fit into the Fantasy
genre.
• Be prepared to share
with the large group.
FANTASY CHALLENGE