Fourth grade students are embarking on a journey during book clubs
to read historical fiction. The books selected by the students are: Number
the Stars, Lily's Crossing, Riding Freedom and Toliver’s Secret. Fourth
graders will be immersed in studying the structure of historical fiction and
deepening their understanding of how a specific time in history can enable
individuals to grow as they face challenges. As students walk in the shoes of
characters from a different time in history, they are able to build empathy and
gain insight into the personality and actions of the characters from their
book.
Number the Stars by
Lois Lowry take place during World War II in Denmark during the Nazi occupation. We see
ten-year-old Anne Marie and her family help her Jewish friend Ellen and her
family escape Denmark to Sweden. Readers learn how the population of Denmark
joined together in a Resistance movement to enable their Jewish residents to
escape harm during this time period.
Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff takes place in New York during World War II. In this book Lily's
father is sent to Europe during World War II to help as an engineer, and Lily
is alone with her grandmother at their seaside summer home in Far Rockaway.
Lily's best summer friend Margaret and her family need to move in order
for her father to help the war effort. Lily is lonely until she meets Albert, a
ten- year old refugee from Hungary. As their friendship develops we find
out why Albert is so determined to find a way to go to France and rescue his
sister. Lily knows his plan is dangerous but doesn't want to tell him the
truth. Both Albert and Lily discover the true meaning of friendship and the
bonds of family as this story unfolds.
Toliver’s Secret by Esther Wood Brady is set during the Revolutionary War. Ten-
year old Ellen Toliver discovers that her grandfather is a spy for the Patriots. He becomes injured and can’t deliver an important message, and Ellen discovers
courage she didn’t realize she possessed when he asks her to deliver this
crucial message to General George Washington.
Riding Freedom by
Pam Munoz Ryan is the fictionalized biography of Charlotte Parkhurst.
Charlotte, known as Charley, is the only girl raised in an orphanage
after the death of her parents. The woman who runs the kitchen wants Charlotte
to stay at the orphanage in order to work for her and prevents her from being
adopted. Vern, who was formerly enslaved, is in charge of the stable at the orphanage and befriends Charlotte and teaches her to take care of and ride horses. After her
only friend is adopted, she ends up running from the orphanage disguised as a
boy with the help of Vern, and pursues her dream of being a stage coach driver,
owner of a ranch and the first woman to vote despite it being the 1800's
in the West, all while living her life as a man.
The theme of
friendship, loyalty, facing challenges and bravery is found in all four of
these books.
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