Historical Fiction Book Talks

Historical FictionHistorical FictionBook TalksBook Talks

Presented byPresented byChristy HavensChristy Havens

North Butler Elementary SchoolNorth Butler Elementary SchoolLibrary Media SpecialistLibrary Media Specialist

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Summary:

Ten-year-old Bud, a motherless boy living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression, escapes a bad foster home and sets out in search of the man he believes to be his father—the renowned bandleader, H. E. Calloway of Grand Rapids.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Characters:

Bud CaldwellMr. & Mrs Amos and ToddyBugsMr. LewisHerman E. CallowayMiss ThomasThe Band: Mr. Jimmy, Steady Eddie,Doo Doo Bug, Dirty Deed, The Thug

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Setting:

During the Great Depression in the 1930’s at Flint, Michigan and Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Reviews:"Curtis has given a fresh, new look to a traditional orphan-finds-a-home story that would be a crackerjack read-aloud."--Starred, School Library Journal

"Bud's journey...will keep readers engrossed from first page to last." --Starred, Publishers Weekly

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Awards:

Winner of the 2000 Newbery Medal

Winner of the 2000 Coretta Scott King Award

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Other Suggested Reading:

The Watsons Go to Birmingham

Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money

Hill Hawk Hattie by Clara Gillow Clark

Summary:When Hattie loses her Ma at the

age of eleven, things change. Pa is not the same person he once was and doesn’t treat Hattie the same either. In fact, Pa loses his rafting partner and decides Hattie will have to replace him. Dressed up as a boy, she learns how to river raft and reconnects with her Pa.

Hill Hawk Hattie by Clara Gillow Clark

Characters:

Hattie

Pa

Jasper

Harley

Rastus

Hill Hawk Hattie by Clara Gillow Clark

Setting:

The year is 1883. Most of the story takes place while rafting down the Delaware River from New York to Philadelphia.

Hill Hawk Hattie by Clara Gillow Clark

Reviews:

“This book about the courage of a Hill Hawk girl and the world of the Delaware River in the early days of our country will enthrall readers.”

-Patricia Reilly Giff

“The simple first-person narrative captures Hattie’s rustic innocence, the thrilling rafting adventure, and the heartfelt struggle of a tough girl who feels useful to her father only in the role of a boy.”

-Starred, Booklist

Hill Hawk Hattie by Clara Gillow Clark

Awards:

2005 Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nominee

Hill Hawk Hattie by Clara Gillow Clark

Other Suggested Reading:

Hattie on Her Way, the sequel to Hill Hawk Hattie

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Summary:

Twelve-year-old Moose Flanagan and his family move to Alcatraz so his father can work as a guard at the infamous prison. With neighbors that are convicts, Moose tries to protect his sister, Natalie (who has autism), live up to his parents’ expectations, and stay out of trouble.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Characters:

Moose

Natalie

Piper

Mr. & Mrs. Flanagan

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Setting:

In 1935 on

Alcatraz Island.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Reviews:

With its unique setting and well-developed characters, this warm, engaging coming-of-age story has plenty of appeal, and Choldenko offers some fascinating historical background on Alcatraz Island in

an afterword. -Booklist

The story, told with humor and skill, will fascinate readers with an interest in what it was like for the children of prison guards and other workers to actually grow up on Alcatraz Island. -School Library Journal

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Awards:

Newbery Honor School Library Journal Best Book of the Year Publishers Weekly Best Book 2004ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2005ALA Notable Book 2005

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Other Suggested Reading:

Holes by Louis Sachar

The Drummer Boy of Vicksburgby G. Clifton Wisler

Summary:Based on the real-life hero, Orion Howe, this story follows thirteen-year-old Orry as he runs away from his grandmother to join his father and brother in the army. However, it doesn’t take long for Orry to realize that war is not the glorious adventure he had imagined. But he does prove he can stand tall with the rest of the men.

The Drummer Boy of Vicksburgby G. Clifton Wisler

Characters:

Orry

Lyston

Pa

The Drummer Boy of Vicksburgby G. Clifton Wisler

Setting:

Mid 1860’s in the suburbs of Chicago and during the Civil War at Vicksburg, Mississippi

The Drummer Boy of Vicksburgby G. Clifton Wisler

Reviews:

"Wisler captures well the confusion of battle and the participants' fears of both cowardice and heroism....Compelling."--School Library Journal

The Drummer Boy of Vicksburgby G. Clifton Wisler

Other Suggested Reading:

Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith

Thunder on the Tennessee

ReferencesReferences

http://http://www.civilwarpoetry.org/union/songs/www.civilwarpoetry.org/union/songs/battcry.htmlbattcry.html

http://www.nps.gov/archive/gett/getthttp://www.nps.gov/archive/gett/gettkidz/music.htmkidz/music.htm

http://students.cup.edu/mor2399/indhttp://students.cup.edu/mor2399/index.htmex.htm

www.unitedstreaming.comwww.unitedstreaming.com