historical fiction and nonfiction book talks historical impact on the reader mrs. cameron’s 8 th...
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Historical Fiction and Nonfiction
Book TalksHistorical Impact on the Reader
Mrs. Cameron’s 8th grade Reading
Historical Fiction or Nonfiction
These are books set in a time period in the past. This can be in the distant past or the more recent past, but it is not set present day.
Although, some books can have a present day narrator who tells the story through a form of flashbacks or time travel. These types of books usually spans more then one genre, such as historical fiction/fantasy.
Example:
The Devil’s Arithmetic: The main character is a teen in present day who does not appreciate her families religious customs. She is then transported, in a dream, back to the day her family is taken to a concentration camp. She learns the struggles her family went through to survive, and is later transported back to present day with a better understanding and appreication of her heritage.
Historical Impact
• How has the historical elements of the novel impacted your enjoyment and understanding of the text?
• Places to look for historical impact:• Setting
• Characters
• Conflict
Setting
• What is the setting of the story? • Where does it take place?
• In the hull of a ship, on a plantation, on a battlefield, on a freedom riders’ bus…
• What is the time period?
• Middle Ages, during the Civil War, in the 1960’s…
• How does it impact the story plot? How does it drive the story? Do you know your history? Do you know the outcome already as the reader?
Historical Characters
• Do the characters have “period” names?
• Do the characters use language that gives you (the reader) insight to the time period?
• Do the character perform actions or duties that are historical in nature?• Loading a musket, using a butter turn or driving a horse drawn
wagon
Impact on the Reader
• How has the historical setting, characters and conflict impacted your understanding and enjoyment of the story?
• What did you learn?
• What connections did you make?
• Could your story be told during a different time period?
• Did the historical background hinder you from understanding or enjoying the story?
• Did you need more background knowledge or the time period to enjoy the book?
Historical Conflict
• Is the main conflict in the story based on a historical event?• Such as: war, segregation, historical nature disasters, historical
movements or events
• Do real historical facts drive the conflict and the characters’ motives?
Good Historical Teen Reads
Book Reflection Assignment
• Students are to write a five paragraph essay on the historical impact their book had on them as a reader. The essay should include:
• An introduction paragraph that include the title of the book, the author, and the historical period
• A three paragraphs one setting, characters and conflict
• A conclusion paragraph that includes your rating of the book (out of 10) and a suggestion of what type of reader would enjoy this book.
Introduction paragraph
• Include the title of the book, the author and the historical period/where the main setting took place
• Include a sentence summarizing the historical impact of the book
• End the paragraph with a sentence that introduces the three topics of your body paragraphs: the setting, characters and conflict
• The Devil’s Arithmetic written by Jane Yolen is a historical fiction novel set in 1945 Poland.. The historical period of World War II drove the storyline of the novel. The story tells the tale of a teenage girl, Hannah Stern and her grueling and heartbreaking struggle to survive a Jewish concentration camp.
• Through the detailed setting, well done character development and suspenseful conflict building the reader understands what it means to be a Polish, Jewish citizen in 1945 Europe.