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Historical Fiction - Textbook Assignment #4

Curtis, C. P. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963. New York: Delacorte Press.

The Watson family is weird. That's how Kenny sees it and he would know, since he is one. At 10 years old, Kenny is the middle child in a family of five. His big brother Byron does what he can to make Kenny's life pretty miserable. As By's bullying and general miscreant behavior escalates, Momma and Dad decide the best thing to do is send him away to live with Grandma in Alabama for the summer. While they are visiting, a tragedy strikes Grandma Sands' church and Kenny's eyes are opened to the terrible truth of extreme racism. Injustice, hatred, and how people react in the face of terrible knowledge all intertwine in this book set against the backdrop of real events from 1963. Kenny's eye opening experiences will resonate with readers who struggle with bullying and the way he deals with the trauma of the horrendous acts in the book can show all readers that it is possible to rise above and face the world with hope. 

Nelson, Kadir. (2008). We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. New York: Hyperion.

In the 1800s, non-whites were not allowed to play in professional baseball leagues. However, this did not stop those who loved the game from forming teams and playing games. By 1920, the golden age began with the first season of the Negro National League. We Are The Ship tells the story of the Negro Leagues from 1920 until its decline in the late 1940s when Jackie Robinson became the first player to move from the Negro Leagues to the majors. Narrated by an unknown player, the book tells of the triumphs and challenges the players, owners and fans encountered as they slowly changed the world through their love of baseball. The beautiful oil paintings immerse the reader into the world of the Negro League and the heroes of the era. Sport aficionados will devour page after page of stories that are told in a way that makes you feel like you are listening to an old family friend telling you about their life. Those who have heard of Jackie Robinson will find that there were so many others who worked to pave the way for equality and will learn of the hardships they faced while doing so.

Schlitz, Laura Amy. (2007). Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices From a Medieval Village. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.

Being in a play is so much more fun when you are the star. Laura Schlitz's Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! makes sure everyone gets a chance to shine while learning about medieval history in a up close and personal manner. This collection of scenes set in a village during the medieval era gives the reader a fairly detailed glimpse of what life was like for people of that time. Each scene features a character whose voice is believable and varied - the cast of includes adolescents from many different walks of life. The characters will resonate with preteen and teenage readers who are just beginning to find their own place in the world. Read aloud or acted out, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! is engaging and satisfying as each person in a classroom or group gets to have a lead role. Those interested in learning what life was like before modern conveniences will also enjoy reading the book cover to cover in one sitting.

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. (2005). Hitler Youth: Growing Up In Hitler's Shadow. New York: Scholastic.

The Hitler Youth was the most successful youth program in the world. Bartoletti gives a complete look at the movement and the children it impacted through the stories of youth who were in the Hitler Youth, those who wanted to join but were unable and those who resisted joining. Historical photographs and excerpts from diaries give insight to how Hitler was able to rally the youth of Germany to stand behind him and his ideology. The book also puts emphasis in how important the economic and political climate of post World War I Europe made it easier for Hitler to sell his promises to a group of young citizens who were facing an uncertain future. The process used by the Hitler Youth to recruit and maintain their ranks should be studied by all young adults as it is one which was highly effective and could be repeated by other groups seeking to add the support of the next generation to their cause.







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