Picking a historical fiction book for DITHOR

[LynnH]

Ok for some reason picking a book for each genre is the one thing I really struggle with. He is 10 and in 5th grade, but he reads at more the mid 4th grade level I guess. He is doing Tolivers Secret now for Adventure and doing well with it, but I think anything much harder would be a real challenge for him. He reads slow so reading 10 pages of Toliver takes him about 30 minutes. I thought I was going to have him do Sarah Plain and Tall and Matchlock gun, but I read Matchlock Gun and I don't know that he will like it and I would rather just stick with one book if possible. I saw the mention of Buffalo Knife from Bigger and I got that from the library and read it and I think he might like that, but does anyone have any other suggestions. He loves animal stories, but finding one of those that fits historical fiction is a little tough. I can't tell you how much just picking a book for DITHOR stresses me out. He is just starting to like reading so I am so afraid of turning him off again or frustrating him.

[allforjesus]

I bought the Heart of Dakota book list for DITHOR and it is awesome! So helpful because it's broken down into the genres and further broken down into reading levels. It's the most helpful tool for me and I can write down on it what ones are at the library and what ones I own. They are just great books.

[LynnH]

I bought the list also, but our library doesn't have some of them and I also am running into the ones on the 2/3 list being too easy and some on the 4/5 list being too hard.

[Carrie]

Lynn,

This link to the historical fiction part of our bookshop may also be of help. Link: http://www.heartofdakota.com/bs_historical-fiction.php

Just looking over the link, I'd lean toward Pioneer Cat and Hannah (if you're looking for something easier than Toliver's Secret), or move toward Freedom Crossing, Pocahontas and the Strangers, or Sarah Whitcher's Story (if you're looking for something around the level of Toliver's Secret). While Sarah Whitcher's Story is a higher reading level, the font size makes it feel like an easier book. So that's something to weigh too. You could also check out Trouble River (which is our replacement for Buffalo Knife, as it's out of print).

Blessings,
Carrie

[Carrie]

Lynn,

One other thought I had is to pick several books, and then let your son choose from among them. This really helps kiddos have a vested interest in what they are reading and is sometimes surprising for the teacher to see what kiddos choose! It also takes the pressure off of you to choose "THE BEST" book.

Blessings,
Carrie

[LynnH]

Thanks Carrie! I like the look of Trouble River. Freedom Crossing looks good also, but he did a Harriet Tubman story for the Biography so that probably wouldn't work. We did Pocahantas as a read aloud, but I have Squanto: friend to the pilgrims. I like your idea of putting several in front of him and letting him pick. I think I will throw Jed Smith in there also. I think he could handle it, but it intimidated him in the beginning of the year when we looked at it for biography. He is more confident now (thanks to Preparing and DITHOR) so he may actually choose it.