Where I Am, and Where I Want To Go

As an English Ed major, I have always struggled with deciding whether literature (as much as it is enjoyable) is necessary. Perhaps most English majors don't doubt its relevance at all, however, I do and it's because I want to believe that reading is more than just something that makes a person well rounded and "cultured". I feel that often times literature is seen as "fluff", and I can't help agree that some of it is. At one point in my college career, I almost switched to being a history major, I had an excellent professor who really made the past come to life, and allowed me to see how it has impacted the present. I feel that some literature is capable of doing the same job that my professor did. I believe that there is literature that teaches real life in a way that makes it relevant to our present lives, and this certainty is what kept me on the track I am now--I'm want to find the best of both worlds and teach literature that has more meaning than how interesting the style of language is.
For this project, my plan is to explore young adult historical fiction and the extent to which their portrayal of historical events is helpful and educational. I myself have read historical fiction for pleasure, however, have never had a direct instruction of it within an English class. I feel like the importance of teaching educational material in conjunction with an English focus is important. Although I have read some YA historical fiction, I would like to explore to find books that would prove to have the double element I am looking for, of rich language and of rich content.

My goal is NOT to find texts that are non-fiction. It's essential that these books are fiction, but only in part. That is to say that the main events MUST be true, however, the character in the text may not really have experienced it. After finding a list of books that I find to meet the requirements I have mentioned, I will list them. Overall I think it would be interesting to teach an English class that has a historical and relevant theme. A Theme that perhaps would follow a timeline up to the present.
I think it's pretty cool to imagine a classroom built around literature, historical dramas, and maybe even a few boring documentaries. Maybe each child would choose a monarch in history, and they would be assigned a book that matches them. They would learn about the geography during that time, political issues...and learn from their peers who chose other historical leaders and how they were connected.

Now just to find the right texts...





https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/why-and-how-i-teach-historical-fiction/
https://www.pinterest.com/emily_reddy1/historical-fiction-anchor-charts/?lp=true
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/fall-love-with-victoria-6-historical-dramas-binge/
http://royalcentral.co.uk/blogs/opinion/top-5-royal-documentaries-of-all-time-10405