The Slave Dancer

Paula Fox's The Slave Dancer, set in the late 1830's, was recommended to me by a teacher who used to teach U.S. History.  Our school used to teach this text, but it has been sitting on a shelf for a couple (?few? ?several? ?many?) years.  Because of its short length combined with my students' begging to do some independent reading, I decided to add this to the eighth grade reading curriculum.

Students could work at their own pace or in small groups.  They had a packet, quizzes, and short essays to do along the way.  I gave them two weeks to complete the work.  I'm noticing that the more we get into the novel, the more these small groups are gaining in popularity.  It reinforces that books are meant to be shared sometimes.  Love this unexpected aspect!

Specifically, this novel (1974 Newbery winner) is about a boy who is kidnapped one night while out running an errand for his mother.  He is brought aboard a ship where is primary purpose is to play his fife for the slaves--as a means to keep up their morale and their physical strength.  It is interesting to watch the range of emotions Jesse feels toward the idea of slavery and to the slaves individually.  I have not read a book told from the perspective of someone forced to participate in the kidnapping and sale of slaves. 

I have not explored GoogleLitTrips yet; however, there is one specifically designed for The Slave Dancer (click HERE).  I am definately going to use this next year if I teach this novel again.

Hope's Crossing

I picked up this book after pulling about twenty books with the setting as the American Revolutionary War.  A couple students took a book to read; I read Joan Elizabeth Goodman's Hope's Crossing.

Hope is kidnapped by a man who fights opposite of Hope's father in the war.  She escapes her kidnapper with an elderly lady from the kidnapper's home.  They encounter lots of twists in this novel--emotional ups and downs.  It shows how the war effects EVERYONE, not just soldiers.  More geared toward the female population.  Great historical fiction read!

Dead End in Norvelt

I just finished Dead End in Novelt, and I loved it!  This book received the 2012 Newbery.  It also won the Scott O'Dell award for historical fiction.  This novel is a fast-paced story full of interesting tidbits of history.  The setting was small-town America (which reminded me of where I grew up).  The characters were a bit quirky (eg:  The main character's nose bleeds every time he is stressed--which is constant for a 12-year-old boy.).

I would highly recommend this book for students between fifth and eight grade.  Both males and females would enjoy this book.

Jack Gantos, the author, has a great website--particularly for teachers.  His site contains a teaching guide for this novel.  Great springboard for activities and lessons.  I would like to add this to our current curriculum.  Locate site by clicking HERE.