Historical Fiction…Everyday snapshots of a Medieval Culture



Children's Storybook of Medieval Culture (50 Points)

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Description: Medieval history is not just about kings, queens, knights, and serfs. We are going to take a closer look at the “everyday” people and habits that made up this fascinating society called medieval Europe. With this project, you will provide insight into everyday life of a particular fictional medieval person.

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Task: Create a children’s historical fiction storybook (see attached suggestions)

Your children’s storybook should tell a story to a 2nd or 3rd grader that has a moral or lesson. Just do not list facts. Your central character should represent a given social class and lifestyle. Your narrative, while fictional, should demonstrate extensive research by incorporating historical facts (ranging from diet, education, interests, warfare, occupations, religious obligations & ceremonies, housing, clothing, daily rituals, and forms of entertainment).

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A carnival or another religious festival

Knight Jousting Tournament

Traveling to or attending a medieval fair

Opening a new shop

A knighting ceremony

A castle siege or battle

Traveling to see a relic/seeking shelter in a monastery

Schooling or training to take on new responsibilities

Preparing for a royal visit

A knight heading off on the Crusades

A Viking raid on a Frankish village

Meeting the pope

A wedding, funeral or other rite of passage

Negotiating a feudal contract

A medical emergency

A journey on the Silk Road

Living in a castle

Escape from a natural disaster

Visiting an important landmark, palace, or temple

A mysterious visitor to a farming/fishing village

Building a new house

Learning how to live at the king's court

Learning how to be a servant at court

Illustrations: You must include four to six illustrations in your book. This is a story book as opposed to a picture book, but the illustrations should help capture the story and the historical setting you have established. They should help the young reader better understand the storyline.

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Author’s note: At the beginning of your story, you should have a half-page to one-page author’s note about the historical setting, the basis for the character(s), and any other information that fills in the story.

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“Story Time” and Author’s Synthesis: Once the books are complete, we will have “story time,” during which several people will read their stories.

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Requirements: The storybook is divided into three sections:

• Author's note

• The Story with illustrations

• Bibliography

✓ The storybook length will vary, but I am looking for around 8-10 pages to demonstrate adequate research.

✓ Size 12 – 14 point font. You can choose any font style that you think adds character or style to your story.

✓ Illustrations should be woven throughout the children’s book, but remember to focus on the story. Illustrations need to focus the reader onto the storyline.

✓ Your author’s note should set the scene or provide the historical background so that your book can focus on the story.

✓ The book must have a lesson or moral woven into the story.

✓ You should have a bibliography at the end of your book (MLA formatting)

✓ You MUST use scholarly sources: books, databases or educational websites. If you have any questions about your sources, ASK!

✓ This is an original work of historical fiction; keep track of your sources, and do not cut and paste.

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✓ Schedule: We will meet in the Library/Media Center on the following days where starting with books, the LMC staff will show you some good resources for these historical times and places. Expect two days of historical research and the rest to put your book together.

✓ Friday, February 10th

✓ Monday, February 13th

✓ Thursday, February 16th

✓ TBD

✓ TBD

Due: Monday, March 5th

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