Quarter Three Independent Reading Project: HISTORICAL FICTION

The Quarter Three Independent Reading Project requires my students to read a historical fiction novel. Historical fiction is a genre in which the book’s events and setting are rooted in actual history and, although the characters are fictional, the foundation of the events is real. The characters in the book will also behave as they would for that particular time period as are the conflicts that are experienced. For instance, you have probably seen the movie The Titanic. The historical information about the ship, the time period, and the behavior of characters is real—they’re the historical aspect. The storyline, however, about the young man’s character winning a boarding pass in a card game and then having a love affair with a rich woman before they hit an iceberg and he dies so she can live are the fictional aspect. The characters and vernacular and costumes are true to the time period, but a story has been created FOR that particular historical event. Perhaps this will help you to better understand the genre.

I’ve had some parents concerned that their children are attempting to select books that aren’t historical fiction because the “history” isn’t “old” enough. However, while the Vietnam War may be fresh in your mind, it is a part of history and a topic that is the foundation for many authors of historical fiction. We don’t need to travel back several centuries for history…in fact, even 9-11 is a topic that more authors are choosing to write about for historical fiction novels. Keep in mind that these events are vague or VERY OLD in the minds of a younger audience, and even adults can learn a lot of information while enjoying such books.  

I didn’t give a specific length requirement of the novel for this project because all of my kids read at different levels. I don’t want someone to bring in an Easy Reader book, obviously, nor do I expect them to read something that is of incredible length and meant for an adult audience. That is why I tell the students that I need to pre-approve the book: I am checking to make sure that it IS historical fiction, and I am also making certain that the length and reading level of the book isn’t ridiculously high or low.

I haven’t given my kids the paperwork that details the project, nor have I told them the due date. All I asked them to do was to come to me with a book for their independent reading project, I explained what constitutes historical fiction, and I have been asking for their titles this week. This was a strategic move on my part: I’ve found that if I give them ALL of the information at once (especially after having two weeks off for winter break), they will feel overwhelmed and fail to pay attention to everything. (And, to be honest, they didn’t focus on much of anything the first couple of days back, so giving them information in small portions and reminding them of classroom expectations and procedures are what they’ve been trying to handle.) Therefore, the focus now is finding a book. Had I given them the entire project’s details on their first day back to school, they would have been overwhelmed and ignored the details. They’ll have very specific project information once they have their books.

I realize that some parents are concerned about the due date, so I’ll divulge it on here (as I don’t believe my kids sit around reading my blog for fun in the evenings). The due date for the project is March 3. Because my grades are due on the computer by March 14, this will give the students ample time in class to present their projects and time for me to correct them and post my grades online.

I hope the information I’ve provided is useful to you. Please let me know if you need any additional details, though I just want my kids to find a book and have it approved by me before I delve into the details with THEM. They’re still quite scatterbrained after the holidays and are having a bit of trouble maintaining (or even FINDING) focus in class.

I’ll hand out a chart today that explains historical fiction, so if you’re working with your child to find the perfect book but don’t quite have a clear understanding of the genre, feel free to ask for the handout (which is a web that includes details about characters, conflict, description, dialogue, plot, and setting). I hope this helps!

Thank you for all that you do. We have only one semester remaining and most of my kids earned high marks last quarter; please help them to maintain that motivation and to continue to earn grades that they can be proud of.

Warmly (but actually shivering as my fingers, which are numb with cold, type this),

Mrs. Gott