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Lesson 1 (from September 2 - February 25)

Objective

September 2 - February 25

This novel is in the historical fiction genre. The objective of this lesson is to understand historical fiction.

Lesson

Lead the class in a discussion of historical fiction. Have the students compare and contrast the real life of Rifka and her family with that of people who actually lived during this period of immigration from Russia to America. What similarities do they find? What differences do they see?

Divide the class in small groups and have them research the reasons why people wanted to emigrate from Russia in 1919? How closely does the author mirror the real Russian immigrants? What liberties does she take with the fictional Rifka?

Divide the class into small groups and have them research the concept of historical novels. Historical fiction is usually based on events which have occurred in the distant past. Why would Karen Hesse be drawn to...

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