This summer, I am shopping the CT summer library book sales with a specific genre and grade level in mind: historical fiction in grade 4.
If you are not already familiar with reading curriculum that incorporates the Reading Workshop model called Units of Study, then let me explain that the plan is to have our grade 4 students read historical fiction in book clubs this coming spring. That means all the classroom libraries in six elementary schools will need an increase in texts to allow students to choose books to read with each other.
Fortunately, the Cyrenius H. Booth Library book sale in Newtown, CT, with one of the most active library associations (read about the library’s history here) had plenty to offer.
As this will be our first year implementing the Reading Units of Study in grade 4, I was not sure which historical fiction titles would be the most popular for student choice. Instead, I let my selections be guided by Connecticut’s Social Studies Framework which states as one of its 6 principles:
Social studies education has direct and explicit connections to the Common Core State Standards for English/language arts and literacy in history/social studies
The 4th grade social studies curriculum is dedicated to the study of the United States, the geography, history, and culture of our nation.
As I quickly eyed the piles of books, neatly lined, spines up, anything from the “Dear America” series seemed to fit that criteria. I located a number of titles of this series available, and I scooped up an entire box that included multiple copies (3-5 each) of:
- The Journal of Augustus Pelletier: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804 (My Name is America)
- Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell, 1847
-
Survival in the Storm: The Dust Bowl Diary of Grace Edwards, Dalhart, Texas 1935
Hope students will enjoy this historical fiction selection as much as I did!
I also secured a number of copies of the Laura Ingalls Wilder classic Little House on the Prairie, a personal favorite of mine. There were copies of Farmer Boy and Little House in the Big Wood for any student want to read more about the Westward Expansion. In addition, there were Michael Dorris titles that feature Native Americans: Sees Behind Trees and Morning Girl. On top of my almost full cart, I added a layer of American Girl books: Meet Kaya! Meet Josephina! Meet Felicity! I did leave some of the American Girls for others to meet.
Noticing the heavy dose of serious historical events, I did add several individual copies of Jon Scieszka’s Time Warp Trio books….comedic time travel in history is still historical, as in See You Later, Gladiator!... right?
Once again, I must take time to compliment the volunteers who had the children’s book section alphabetized by author AND organized by series. This made my shopping a breeze…and I was at $99 (for 153 books) in a little less than an hour.
I asked Denise, the wonderful woman who tallied my purchases, if she was noticing a down turn in the number of books donated for sale this year. She indicated that the paperback trade books did seem to be less plentiful, but that “children’s books are still coming…” thank goodness!
What is remarkable is the amount of historical fiction there was for sale, an indication that this genre is popular for young readers in Newtown. Just living in this old New England town, settled in 1705 with Colonial homes lining many of the streets, makes them already familiar with American history!
Used Books in Class 