A Proposal for a Library Media Center Book Display By: Kristy Gilbert.

A Proposal for a Library Media Center Book Display

By: Kristy Gilbert

A Civil War Historical Fiction Display

Title 1: Girl in Blue by Ann Rinaldi

This book is about a

girl who disguises

herself as a man to

serve as a soldier

during the Civil War

in order to escape

from a bad home.

Title 2: Soldier’s Heart by Gary Paulsen

This books is about

a 15 year old boy

who runs off to join

the Union Army. He

finds that war is not

as glamorous as he

imagined.

Title 3: The Storm Before Atlanta by Karen Schwabach

A young boy dreams of

nothing but becoming a

drummer boy for the

Union army, but finds that

war is terrifying and dull

at the same time. He

befriends a runaway slave

in the process and learns

life lessons from her.

Title 4: When Will This Cruel War Be Over? By Barry Denenberg

This is the

fictional diary of

a 14 year old girl

living in Virginia

during the Civil

War.

Title 5: Hear the Wind Blow by Mary Downing Hahn

This book is about a

family in Virginia that

takes in a wounded

Confederate Soldier,

even though they

know it is against the

law. Terrible results

follow.

Slide 6: Silent Thunder by Andrea Pinkney

Two slave children

describe what life is

like on their

southern plantation

during the Civil War.

Why Civil War Fiction?: The Value of This Display

• 5th Graders do a comprehensive research unit on the Civil War during the 4th quarter• By displaying historical fiction titles

in the media center, students will be more apt to read them and thus further their knowledge of the time period• Reading these titles will also

increase their ability to synthesize information during the creation of their research project.

A Description of the Display

• This display will be featured in a book display rack on top of a fiction section shelving piece.• It will be accompanied by relics from

the Civil War time period to draw additional attention• A sign will be created that says

“Check Out These Civil War Reads”• Patriotic bookmarks will also be

available within the display for students to take

Changes in Student Behavior

• As a result of this visually attractive display, students will be more apt to browse the titles and hopefully find one that interests them• Because of the freebie bookmarks,

even students who might not be interested in the Civil War might come and check out the display!• By trying one of these historical

fiction books, it might inspire students to continue reading within the genre

Potential Challenges

• Student interest may be too high!• Multiple copies of the books on

display will be held at the circulation desk to ensure that all students get a chance to read the book they are interested in! The titles can also be put on hold

• Students may abuse the free bookmarks or relics• The entire display will be located

near the circulation desk to ensure supervision

ReferencesDenenberg, B. (2003). When will this cruel war be over?: The civil

war diary of Emma Simpson, Gordonsville, Virginia, 1864. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Hahn, M. D. (2003). Hear the wind blow. New York, NY: Clarion.

Paulsen, G. (2000). Soldier’s heart: Being the story of the enlistment and due service of the boy Charley Goddard in the first Minnesota volunteers. New York, NY: Laurel Leaf.

Pinkney, A. D. (2001). Silent thunder. New York, NY: Hyperion.

Rinaldi, A. (2005). Girl in blue. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Schwabach, K. (2001). The storm before Atlanta. New York, NY: Yearling.