Caroline's Classroom Connections: Historical Fiction

April 22, 2013 Caroline's Classroom Connections: A VOICE FOR KANZAS A VOICE FOR KANZAS - Debra McArthur middle-grade historical fiction (ages 8-12) study guide Authenticity supported by her previous juvenile nonfiction works, McArthur has created a believable and fast-paced tale of life in the Kansas Territory.  - Kirkus Reviews Although the book is intended for young readers, it's not hard to imagine folks of all ages will enjoy the thrilling yet accurate historical events told in A VOICE FOR KANZAS.  - The Landmark Newpaper   Please tell us about your book. A VOICE FOR KANZAS tells the story of Lucy Catherine Thomkins, a thirteen-year-old poet from Pennsylvania whose father takes the family to Kansas Territory in 1855. Although her father is driven by his desire to vote in the territorial elections and make Kansas a free state, Lucy doesn't understand the importance of that, and she is miserable in her new home, where they are constantly threatened by Border Ruffians from Missouri who want to ensure that Kansas will become another slave state. When Lucy learns that her best friend's family is secretly helping slaves escape, she makes a decision that could have dangerous consequences for herself and her family. She struggles to find her place-and her voice-in Kansas. What inspired you to write this story? I learned a little about Kansas history and the struggle for statehood when I taught high school in Leavenworth, Kansas. I found the story fascinating, and I thought about how difficult daily life must have been for the early settlers. In 2001, I wrote a nonfiction book about territorial Kansas, and my research rekindled my interest in the era. A few years later, I began to imagine the story from a young girl's viewpoint, and I decided to use 1855 Lawrence as the setting for a novel. A Voice for Kanzas Could you share with readers how you conducted your research or share a few interesting tidbits you learned while researching? I knew most of the important events of the period from my previous research on the nonfiction book, but I really needed to know more about the daily life of the people in Lawrence. Through the Kansas State Historical Society I obtained the weekly newspapers from Lawrence in 1855. I found articles about neighbors, church dinners, weddings, funerals, band concerts, and all the wonderful tidbits of small-town life that really bring a place to life. That really helped me build a whole world for Lucy. One day I ran across the 1855 brochure Information for Kanzas Immigrants published by the New England Emigrant Aid Company. The description of "Kanzas" in the brochure was intended to draw Easterners to the territory, and made it sound much more settled and civilized than it actually was. Many settlers were pretty unhappy when they arrived in the territory and found that it was not at all as it had been advertised. That document led me to the real meaning of the story. What are some special challenges associated with using a historical setting? I thought I had a really good handle on the historical details until I began writing. Every day I had new things to learn: What kind of pen would Lucy use? What kind of shoes would she wear? What kinds of things would be in her father's store? How much would they cost? Each detail I learned led to three more I needed to investigate. I had to do some kind of research every single day as I wrote the first draft. What topics does your book touch upon that would make it a perfect fit for the classroom? The Civil War is a major topic of study in schools, but many people don't know much about the years leading up to the war. In 1855, a newspaper writer predicted "Kansas will probably be the first field of bloody struggle with the slave power," and he was correct. Few people outside the state know the story of "Bleeding Kansas." The book gives readers some idea of the working of pre-Civil War politics, the Underground Railroad, early feminism, and the power of the newspaper to influence events. All of these are topics students may wish to explore more through their own study. You can learn more about Debra and A VOICE FOR KANZAS at her website and blog.      Join Our Mailing List! Meet the Spellbinders Caroline Starr Rose spent her childhood in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and New Mexico, camping at the Red Sea in one and eating red chile in the other. She's taught English and social studies to upper elementary and middle-school students in New Mexico, Florida, Virginia, and Louisiana. Back in New Mexico, Caroline now writes middle-grade novels and picture books full time.  To find teacher's guides, writing activities, and information about author visits, go to her website, stop by her blog, or follow her on Twitter.    Carolee Dean has made numerous appearances as a guest poet/author at schools, libraries, poetry events, and teacher/library conferences. She holds a bachelor's degree in music therapy and a master's degree in communicative disorders, and she has spent over a decade working in the public schools as a speech-language pathologist. Her first novel, Comfort,was nominated as a Best Book for Young Adults, was named the Best YA Novel of 2002 by the Texas Institute of Letters, and was on the TAYSHAS (Texas Library Association) reading list. Take Me There is a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. She conducts teacher trainings on inspiring reluctant writers including "The Secret Language of Stories" and "Random Act of Haiku."             Kimberley Griffiths Little is the recipient of the Southwest Book Award, The Whitney Award for Best Youth Novel of 2010, and the author of the highly acclaimed, The Healing Spell and Circle of Secrets, published by Scholastic Press. Look for her books at the Scholastic Book Fairs, as well as two more forthcoming novels in 2012 and 2013.    She lives on a dirt road in a small town by the Rio Grande with her husband, a robotics engineer and their three sons. Kimberley is a favorite speaker at schools around the country, presenting "The Creative Diary", a highly successful writing workshop and has been a speaker at many conferences. Please visit her website to download free Teacher's Guides and Book Club Guides.       Upcoming Events Kimberley Griffiths Little April 27th New Mexico Battle of the Books (Guest Author) WUNM campus Silver City, NM May 3-5  Presenter/Critiquer Niagara Writer's Conference Niagara Falls May 9-11 LDStorymakers Conference Publication Primer The Marriott in Provo, Utah  Caroline Starr Rose July 27 19th Annual Norfolk Public Library Literature Festival, Norfolk, NE

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