1. A Proposal for a Library Media Center Book Display By: Kristy Gilbert

2. Title 1: Girl in Blue by Ann Rinaldi This book is about a girl who disguises herself as a man to serve as a soldier during the Civil War in order to escape from a bad home.

3. Title 2: Soldier’s Heart by Gary Paulsen This books is about a 15 year old boy who runs off to join the Union Army. He finds that war is not as glamorous as he imagined.

4. Title 3: The Storm Before Atlanta by Karen Schwabach A young boy dreams of nothing but becoming a drummer boy for the Union army, but finds that war is terrifying and dull at the same time. He befriends a runaway slave in the process and learns life lessons from her.

5. Title 4: When Will This Cruel War Be Over? By Barry Denenberg This is the fictional diary of a 14 year old girl living in Virginia during the Civil War.

6. Title 5: Hear the Wind Blow by Mary Downing Hahn This book is about a family in Virginia that takes in a wounded Confederate Soldier, even though they know it is against the law. Terrible results follow.

7. Slide 6: Silent Thunder by Andrea Pinkney Two slave children describe what life is like on their southern plantation during the Civil War.

8. Why Civil War Fiction?: The Value of This Display 5 th Graders do a comprehensive research unit on the Civil War during the 4 th quarter By displaying historical fiction titles in the media center, students will be more apt to read them and thus further their knowledge of the time period Reading these titles will also increase their ability to synthesize information during the creation of their research project.

9. A Description of the Display This display will be featured in a book display rack on top of a fiction section shelving piece. It will be accompanied by relics from the Civil War time period to draw additional attention A sign will be created that says “Check Out These Civil War Reads” Patriotic bookmarks will also be available within the display for students to take

10. Changes in Student Behavior As a result of this visually attractive display, students will be more apt to browse the titles and hopefully find one that interests them Because of the freebie bookmarks, even students who might not be interested in the Civil War might come and check out the display! By trying one of these historical fiction books, it might inspire students to continue reading within the genre

11. Potential Challenges Student interest may be too high! Multiple copies of the books on display will be held at the circulation desk to ensure that all students get a chance to read the book they are interested in! The titles can also be put on hold Students may abuse the free bookmarks or relics The entire display will be located near the circulation desk to ensure supervision

12. References Denenberg, B. (2003). When will this cruel war be over?: The civil war diary of Emma Simpson, Gordonsville, Virginia, 1864. New York, NY: Scholastic. Hahn, M. D. (2003). Hear the wind blow. New York, NY: Clarion. Paulsen, G. (2000). Soldier’s heart: Being the story of the enlistment and due service of the boy Charley Goddard in the first Minnesota volunteers. New York, NY: Laurel Leaf. Pinkney, A. D. (2001). Silent thunder. New York, NY: Hyperion. Rinaldi, A. (2005). Girl in blue. New York, NY: Scholastic. Schwabach, K. (2001). The storm before Atlanta. New York, NY: Yearling.