I'd like to welcome Margo L. Dill as guest blogger today. She has written Finding My Place: One Girl’s Strength at
Vicksburg which is an engaging story of the Civil Ward from a Southerner's stand point. Let's see what Margo has to say to us today about historical fiction....
From Margo L. Dill.... I recently had a chance
to go on my first school visit since my middle-grade, historical fiction novel
came out at the beginning of October. Luckily, the teachers had read the book
to the students before I got there for Family Reading Night, and they all
seemed to really like it. I never got to my prepared presentation because the
kids had so many questions about the characters and the events in the war, and
many of them wanted to know if I was writing a sequel. To see these children so
excited about a historical fiction book warmed my heart—especially after
attending a writing conference earlier in the year where New York agents and
editors said that historical fiction was on its way out and could not be sold.
Before this experience at
Reading Night, I knew children responded better to historical fiction than they
did history books or social studies lectures from my years as an elementary
teacher. It’s almost like historical fiction authors along with parents,
teachers, and librarians are ganging up on the kids (in a good way!) and
tricking them into caring about some characters and a story, so that they will
also learn history. Thank goodness for this little bit of trickery. It helped
me when I was in school, too, reading books like Little House on the Prairie or Johnny
Tremain.
I don’t think historical
fiction is dead, despite what’s selling the best on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
I think it’s important to share it with our children and students—to point out
what’s fact and what makes the story fiction. Once you’ve read a historical
fiction book to a child, then you can teach her more about the history that
goes with it. They’ll have something to connect with when they learn why the
Declaration of Independence was so important or the North won the war or the
causes for World War II.
In my book, Finding My Place: One Girl’s Strength at
Vicksburg, I was determined to give students a view from the Southern
citizens during the United States Civil War because so many books out there are
from a Northern point of view and focus on the soldiers. I wanted to show how
the war affected people’s lives, but I also wanted to share this time period
with children. What did kids do for fun back then? What did they read? What
chores did they do? What did they do when supplies ran low because of the war?
Were kids back then like kids today? I hope that I was able to accomplish this
and more.
One of the best
compliments an author can receive is: “Is there going to be a sequel?”
especially when children are learning while reading! I’m thankful for the genre
of historical fiction. I’m glad my first novel is a part of this, and I hope
that we will be using the genre to connect children and history for many years
to come.
Margo L. Dill is the author of Finding My Place: One Girl’s Strength at Vicksburg, about 13-year-old Anna Green and her struggle
to keep her family together during the Siege of Vicksburg.
To read a summary or purchase an autographed copy (a perfect Christmas present for children ages 9 to 12!), please go to http://margodill.com/blog/finding-my-place or on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Finding-My-Place-Strength-Vicksburg/dp/1572494085/ .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A copy of Finding My Place: One Girl's Strength at Vicksburg provided by author, Margo L. Dill.
Begins Dec. 4 and Ends Dec. 17, 2012 12:01 a.m. EST
Begins Dec. 4 and Ends Dec. 17, 2012 12:01 a.m. EST
I learned from margo's interview that it is good to teach the kids about our hstory in story form. I know I would have enjoyed it better that way. Thanks for the chance to win this book. I have granddaughters who would like this book for Christmas. Maxie ( mac262@me.com )
ReplyDeleteChildren responded better to historical fiction than history books. Historical fiction is not dead despite what is sold on amazon (but sometimes we are so stressed that we just buy junky books to read instead of good ones to read.) I appreciate that she put the first chapter of the book on her page so you can get a feel for her writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Maxie and Emi, for checking out my book and post. I remember sitting in that conference with a historical fiction book getting ready to come out and all the agents and editors sitting on a panel saying, "Historical fiction doesn't sell." I think what they meant is that it's not going to make big money, but some kids, parents, teachers, and librarians will still like it. :) I've been in education all my life, so I guess if I wanted to make big money--I should have chosen a different path. :) Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteThis would be so good for my girl's
ReplyDeleteI meant it would be so good because my girl's love historical subjects - real and fiction. Without historical fiction, many young people would not become interested in our history.
Delete@Anonymous, I completely agree with you! Historical fiction often opens the door for people to learn more and WANT to learn more. :)
Deletethat kids respond better to historical fiction than they do history books.
ReplyDeleteThanks, michelle! I agree. :)
ReplyDeleteYou can teach the real history behind a fictional story with well-researched historical fiction
ReplyDeleteI learned that children respond better to historical fiction than history books.
ReplyDeleteI learned that she wanted to write from the Southern view because most books are from the Northern view.
ReplyDeleteWow I didn't know that children responded better to historical fiction than they did history books or social studies lectures. I will have to use this to help my children.
ReplyDeleteI learned from this that teaching history to our children is something they will remember for the rest of their lives. I remember growing up on Oregon Trail Stories.
ReplyDeleteI learned how she thinks it is very important to read historical fiction. My son loves reading historical fiction and agrees with her.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say ONE MORE TIME how much I appreciate everyone reading my post and leaving a comment and/or participating in the giveaway. Happy Holidays to you. If you have any questions about me, my book, historical fiction, helping kids, etc--please feel free to email me at margo@margodill (dot) com. Happy holidays to you!
ReplyDelete