1. Comparing Themes in Fantasy and History

2. Some themes seem to appear again and again

3. Some themes seem to appear again and again
Strength in times of trouble.

4. Teaching point
Today I want to teach you that knowledgeable readers assume that some themes are so important, so universal, that they appear in more than one book, and across history as well. Sophisticated readers, then, are alert for these themes, and they bring their knowledge of history to what they’re reading to compare how these themes play out.

5. We’ve studied history! Bud, not Buddy The depression era people
People who have fought for civil rights
Think of all the books you read in our historical fiction clubs.

6. We’ve studied history! Bud, not Buddy The depression era people
People who have fought for civil rights
Think of all the books you read in our historical fiction clubs.
Turn and talk for a moment and remind each other of some of the characters and peoples accomplishments. What quests were they on? What dragons did they face?

7. Universal themes Kids grow up fast in times of trouble
Even ordinary people or minor characters can affect events
Ordinary people can be capable of great courage
When people band together they can build power to change
Where there is power, there is also resistance
Humans are capable of great evil to each other, and great goodness

8. Which of these themes have you seen in your book and in history?
Kids grow up fast in times of trouble
Even ordinary people or minor characters can affect events
Ordinary people can be capable of great courage
When people band together they can build power to change
Where there is power, there is also resistance
Humans are capable of great evil to each other, and great goodness
First, as yourself which of these plays out most strongly in your series. Then see if you can narrow down to one that you also have seen in history ---a period of history you know something about.

10. Remind yourself of some themes that have appeared again and again
Are these themes on our universal theme sheet? Should they be?
SO, how would we write about this?

11. Kids grow up fast in times of trouble

12. When people band together they can build power to change

14. Consider how characters’ perspective shape the themes
Share:
Consider how characters’ perspective shape the themes
THEMES Kids in war grow up fast
Danger brings out the best and the worst in people
PERSPECTIVE
kids who were evacuated from London during WWII