INF322T Judy Moody and Mocking BirdBird on a BoxI. Historical fiction- is realistic fiction set in the past; accurately- everything that happens could really happenA. Why teach historical fiction? - It piques kid’s curiosity - It levels the playing field - Teaches a time and place - Develop historic similarities- “my grandparents are also from there!”- A more detailed picture of a time- Presents complex issues in an understandable way - Promotes multiple perspectives - Connects to curriculum - Can get kids interested into history through these booksB. Three Types of Historical Fiction:1. Author weaves a fictional story around an actual event or person from the past Ex. Number the Stars- by Lois Lowry- Denmark, 10 year old, Ellen and her think about the war- life is filled with school, Nazi solders around the town. Ellen moves in her friend’s family… Anne is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save her friend’s life- Won 1990 Newberry Medal- Draws into realistic truth 2. A fictionalized story set in the past with little or no reference to recorded historical events or real peopleEx. Sarah Plain and Tall- by Patricia MacLauchlan, shortest Newberry Award winner, what life was like on the prairie, a widow with his two young children, the man wanted to find a mail ordered bride- asking someone to come out and take care of his children when he took care on the ranch. Sarah struggles during this time and era in the country, she misses her city life- she decides to stay. Sequence: Skylark, Waiting for the Magic is the recent book- household dogs save the family- talking animals 3. Historical fiction that is based on actual persona experiences in the life of the authora. Little House Series- by Laura Ingalls Wilderi. About the life of the author in the 1880sii. Strong theme of family in these books b. Island of the Blue Dolphin- Scott O’Dell- Indian girl left by herself on an island, true story, fleed from the island, left her younger brother, swims back to shore tosave him but he is killed by a pack of wild dogs, she makes friends with the dogs-Spanish priest then finds her… she feels like she has made a home on the island- Says the story is suspenseful to read but not that interesting - Timeless themes: isolation, about being alone- sometimes it is good to be with others- The Scott O’Dell Award - 2011 it was given to One Crazy Summer- set in Oakland in the height of the Black Panther era c. The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963- Christopher Curtis- Story of a family that is doing ordinary things, brings to life African American family on their journey to visit their grandmother, church bombing, juxtaposed family dynamics and racial problems in the 1960s- Travel from Michigan to Birmingham- Four little girls died in the church bombing Bird in a Box- Andrea Davis Pickney - Three children: Otis, Willy. Hibernia- Based the story on her own grandpa, Joe Lewis’s career, FDR- Negro orphans- Leila turns up in the church and is baptized on the third Sunday- Left baby to pursue a singing career- Otis- (gives gum) parents died in car accident- Otis says she has a gap tooth smile and peanut butter- On Christmas Eve- he sees cat playing with his medal, things of a bird in a box that gives up - Willy’s dreams are crushed of fighting in the boxing arena- put in a stove - Have little to remember his parents by - Listen to the radio for information II. Informational Books (biographies also categorize)Orbus Pictus- A. Sibert Award Qualititesa. The subject is presented in a distinguished way for a child audienceb. Author is expert on the subjectc. A child would be interested in the subjectd. Graphics enhance the meaning of the texte. Information is accurate and clear with documentationf. Easy for a child to follow- well designed, package is appealing to the readerB. 2014 Silbert Awarda. Parrot over Puerto Rico- Susan Roth and Cindy Trumbore and illustrated by Susan RothC. Silbert Award a. Given for Robert Silbert for outstanding contribution of informational literature- he was a well known children’s publisher, Bound to stay Boundi. Article talks about how they look for these- there are no perfect book, no checklist for one to go by ii. Books that you might think you might not buyD. Internet- can be more up to date than a book in the library- important to teach students how to use reference databasesa. If they know how to evaluate a website, this information can be relevantb. It is overwhelming B. Factors to Consider when Evaluating Informational Books1. Accuracy: what information to be correct, ways to check these things, check the author’s credibility, does the book jacket give additional information, about the author, can compare book to other books on the subject science books go out of date more than history books do, sensitive to terminology (Mexican or Hispanic?) does book include all the significant facts, hope book doesn’t include stereotypes2. Perspective of the Book- looking at the exterior, the focus- the scope of the book that can be found out from the title of the book, the early life of, beginning, the physical appearance: amount of illustrations, word font- can give you advice… a good review can tell you what you need to know 3. Organization of the informationA. Sequence of the Style of information: depends on the format, typically informational goes from familiar to the more complex, chronological, question and answer booksB. Parts of the book: can recommend age C. Illustration: can extend the meaning of the text and not confuse, quality shouldalso be considered, crisp clear photographs, easily understood charts and tables, what caption goes with what illustration, children will choose higher book because of illustrationsC. Types of Informational Books1. Imformational Picture Books and Biographies- hevily illustrated, variety of media, present story or provide factual information (Charlie Needs a Clock- Tomie dePaola), My Dentist: by Harlow Rockwell- not wearing any gloves- but this has great examples of the instruments in the dentist office, The Big Dipper- Franklyn M. Branley, began in the 1950s. What is a Magnet: colorful, engaging book, talks about warnings, The Magic School Bus- incorporate homour and a bit of fantasy, many different titles to teach about biology, solar system, busy books- Mosque- David Macaulay- for older children, detailed drawings, to show contrast of minute details, use of architecture that appeals to elemtary school aged