From: Megan Schliesman <Schliesman>
Date: Wed, 05 May 2004 08:25:55 -0500

Clearly there is a lot of enthusiasm for Historical Fiction as many of you have already started sharing some of your favorites! Thanks to all of who have gotten the discussion started.

We're interested in knowing not only what books you like, but who the audience is--young children, older children, young adults--and why you appreciate the book or books you are citing.

Alexandria LaFaye has asked how librarians, teachers and students "see history" in her texts. It's a question that we can easily extend to all works of historical fiction.

I recently had a conversation with a homeschooling parent who felt historical fiction could be used to help her children better relate to and understand a particular time, or events, in "history." But the use of historical fiction in the curriculum raises issue the quesion of accuracy and authenticity. . . Doesn't it?

Are you using historical fiction in the classroom--if so, what, how, and why? Does it become a means to help students connect with the past more intimately?

If you're a librarian, what books are you suggesting to the children or teachers with whom you work? And what books, or types of stories, do you find children and teens drawn to?

We invite your answers to all of these questions, and we invite you to pose your own inquiries as well. And if your message content allows for it, please use a descriptive subject heading that will help us follow different lines of the discussion.

Megan

Megan

Megan Schliesman, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education, UW-Madison 600 N. Park St., Room 4290 Madison, Wi 53706 608&2?03 schliesman at education.wisc.edu 608&2?03 schliesman at education.wisc.edu
Received on Wed 05 May 2004 08:25:55 AM CDT