1. Historical Fiction By: Lindsay Hegadorn, Marlena Humenick, and Amy Samay

2. Historical Fiction “Good historical fiction provides us with an opportunity to connect with people and events in the past, and in doing so, it helps us consider both the present and the future.”

3. DEFINING HISTORICAL FICTION

4. Authentic Historical Time and Events Neither fantasy nor nonfiction Realistic in the sense that it is possible – Setting is authentic – Characters could have or did exist – Plot is believable and true to life Not realistic fiction because it is set in the past Some consider the past 50 years ago, some say 25 years and others say any time prior to the present

5. Types of Historical Fiction Story takes place before the life of the author Author writes about his or her life experiences in fictional format Story was written during a time period as contemporary realistic fiction but is now historical Crispin: The Cross of Lead By Avi Published 2002 Homesick: My Own Story By Jean Fritz Published 1982 Little Women By Lousia May Alcott Published 1868 - 69

6. Creating a Sense of Realism Although historical information can be gained, it is first and foremost a story Authors must create a sense of realism to bring the time period alive – Narrative format: journals and diaries – Authentic setting and dialogue of the time period – Characters’ responses to historical events The Watson’s Go to Birmingham – 1963 By Christopher Paul Curtis

7. Timeline Activity Browse through a book at your table Think about what Historical Era your book might belong to Write the title of the book on a post-it and stick on it on the timeline where you think itbelongs

8. CATEGORIES OF HISTORICAL FICTION

9. Ancient Times Stories about ancient civilizations including Ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt Often focuses on a character considered an outsider and independent thinker Themes: survival, courage, honor, development of compassion The Bronze Bow By Elizabeth George Speare

10. Medieval Times Stories that take place during the Middle Ages, after the fall of the Roman Empire, set in Europe Often mix fact and fiction Feature barbarian tribes and knights Themes: loyalty, overcoming handicaps The Door in the Wall By Marguerite de Angeli

11. Colonial Times Stories about settlements at Jamestown, Plymouth, and Boston Stories about moving westward, American Indians, and the Salem Witch Trials Themes: courage, survival, overcoming handicaps The Witch of Blackbird Pond By Elizabeth George Speare

12. Revolutionary Era Stories about events surrounding the Revolutionary War Often focuses on a character who stays and defends the home or one who goes off to war Themes: divided loyalties between family, freedom, commitment to a cause, injustice Woods Runner By Gary Paulsen

13. Early Frontier Era Stories about the move westward before the Civil War Includes perspectives of settlers and American Indians Themes: friendship, faith, longing for land ownership, hardship, family bonds Caddie Woodlawn By Carol Ryrie Brink

14. Civil War Books that describe the antebellum period, slavery and the War between the States Battles are not glorified Themes: divided loyalty, tragedy of war, freedom, destructiveness of prejudice and hate Pink and Say By Patricia Polacco

15. Post-Civil War Stories about the move westward, the Industrial Revolution and immigrants Often depict poor working conditions in factories Themes: looking for a better life, desire to own land, family bonds, seeking fortune, hardship Little House on the Prairie By Laura Ingalls Wilder

16. World War I Stories surrounding World War I and its aftermath Focuses on characters in different countries Themes: destructive nature of war, survival, prejudice, discrimination Casey Over There By Staton Rabin

17. Great Depression Stories surrounding the economic depression in the 1930s Books portray the hardships faced by main characters Themes: survival, money doesn’t create happiness, effects of poverty, homelessness Out of the Dust By Karen Hesse

18. World War II Stories surrounding WWII, Hitler’s rise and fall, Japanese military activity, and Holocaust Focuses on characters who struggle with the effects of the war Themes: hatred, prejudice, religious and personal freedom, suffering caused by war Number the Stars By Lois Lowry

19. Post-World War II Stories about conflict in Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia Includes assassination of President John F. Kennedy Themes: consequences of war, social change, humanity The Wall By Eve Bunting

20. Civil Rights Movement Stories about the fight for civil rights that took place from the late 1800s through the mid-1960s Focuses on discrimination in the South and the struggle for equal rights Themes: human suffering, injustice, tolerance, understanding The Bus Ride By William Miller

21. BENEFITS AND CONSIDERATIONS OF HISTORICAL FICTION

22. Benefits Textbooks: an impersonal, stripped down version of history Historical fiction personalizes the story, helps children connect to past Presents historical events from multiple or limited perspectives Historical fiction shows how past culture effects and gives meaning to present culture

23. Considerations Historical and Social Context – some books that accurately portray the time period can be insensitive, racist, or offensive The Harsh Truth of History – Some children’s books soften human injustices such as slavery or the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII – Authors must take maturity of child into account without “tidying up” the past

24. Evaluating and Selecting Historical Fiction Historical Fiction has two parts to it. – It must have the interesting and engaging story (like all good fiction has) – It must have accurate facts about the historical time period that guides the people, events, values and norms of that era.

25. Evaluation Criteria Setting Plot Characters Style Theme Historical Accuracy and Cultural Authenticity Authority

26. Evaluating the Setting Think: Are authentic details provided to bring the setting to life? – Details should bring the setting to life. – Should be accurate about the particular place being discussed.

27. Evaluating the Plot Think: Are the conflicts in the story appropriate for the time period in which the story is set? – In historical fiction the conflict typically occurs when the character leaves his or her environment and enters a new one.

28. Evaluating the Characters Think: Are the characters believable for the time period which they lived? – The key to the characters is that they have to reflect the beliefs and values of the time period. – Historical figures are often secondary characters in historical fiction.

29. Evaluating the Style Think: Do historically authentic language patterns keep with the mood and characterization of the story? – How is figurative language used? – Does the language influence the mood of the story?

30. Evaluating the Theme Think: Are the themes representational of larger historical concerns? – Themes found in historical fiction need to be relevant in today’s society. – Some common themes are independence, loyalty, and honor.

31. Evaluating Historical Accuracy Think: Does the story accurately represent historical information and cultural details? – Author should have conducted research prior to writing in order insure historical accuracy. – Author should also site sources some where in the text.

32. Evaluating Cultural Authenticity Think: Does the story authentically reflect the culture depicted? – Author should have conducted research prior to writing. – Author should have sited sources some where within the text.

33. Authority Think: Is the author an insider who is writing about his or her own culture or an outsider? – If the author is writing about his or her own culture then she or he must be qualified to write about the culture. Such as having credentials or community endorsement. – If the author is an outsider, then he or she must site sources.

34. The Role of Historical Fiction in Literacy Development

35. Elementary Children and History Children in elementary school don’t have a lot of prior knowledge on historical events. It is crucial for teachers and media specialist to know what their prior knowledge is and build upon that.

36. Read Alouds Read aloud are a great way to help children learn more about history. – Picture books present historical information in a brief format. – The illustrations within the stories help show the complex events that occur. After reading a story, create an anchor chart with the class and write down what they noticed about historical fiction. – This helps the students understand what books are historical fiction and what books are not.

37. Questioning the Author To help students develop the ability to understand the author’s viewpoint of the text, they need to be able to ask questions as they read. Teachers can assist with this by stopping children and guiding their thoughts with questions.

38. Questioning the Author Characters and their motivations How do things look for this character now? Given what the author has already told us about this character, what do you think he’s up to? Author’s craft and plot How has the author let you know that something changed? How has the author settled this for us?

39. Questioning the Author When a teacher is planning a questioning the author unit keep in mind these three goals: 1.Identify the major understanding students will come up with and determine any problems that may arise. 2.Chunk the text to help build comprehension. 3.Develop questions that build on what the students should learn.

40. OPPORTUNITIES FOR READER RESPONSE

41. Book Discussions Book Discussions: Conversation helps students think critically and aids deep comprehension of text.

42. Drama Play is a vehicle through which children learn. “Play is an integral part of most children’s lives, imagining themselves as other people, in other places, times, and situations.” Historical fiction books can be a great source of material for plays. The process of creating the play and acting out the parts gives students a sense of living at that time.

43. MAKING CONNECTIONS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

44. History Research shows K-5 students didn’t know much about social studies and didn’t feel it was relevant to their lives. Comparing multiple historical fiction texts gives students the opportunity to evaluate the author’s perspective and the reliability and validity of the text. – Ex: Johnny Tremain and My Brother Sam is Dead are both about the Revolutionary War. – Johnny Tremain shows the colonists united and fighting for freedom and equality. – My Brother Sam is Dead shows the colonists as divided over their loyalty to the king of England.

45. Science and Math Historical fiction can be used to deepen students’ understanding of the time period surrounding the discovery of math and science concepts. – Ex: Ben Franklin and His First Kite shows his first experiments about the kite and little known facts about him – Ex: The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon shows the methods he used to determine whether individual birds return to the same nests in the spring.

46. Language Arts The lives of famous authors can be taught through historical fiction – Richard Wright and the Library Card- he borrows a white person’s library card because of hunger for reading – More than Anything Else- Shows Booker T. Washington’s desire to read and teach others to read

47. Art History Historical fiction about famous artists can help teach art history – Da Wild, Da Crazy, Da Vinci by Jon Scieska- “Three young Brooklyn friends are sent to sixteenth century Italy, where they meet Leonardo da Vinci, outwit Machiavelli, and learn about famous inventors and their discoveries.”