If you are familiar with my blog, you know I am always on the lookout for books that get reluctant readers (you know, those kids that would rather be doing anything else than read) to pick up a book of their own accord. Well, I have found a series that actually makes students want to read!
If you work with children in Grades 3–6, I recommend introducing them to the I Survived Collection by Lauren Tarshis. My Grade 4 students can't get enough of them. I have watched several of my boys (who, I shudder to say, have told me they "hate" reading) literally finish a book in this series and immediately pick up the next book without asking me to go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, go to the nurse, or whatever other excuse they can think of to get out of reading.
The I Survived Collection by Lauren Tarshis allows readers to experience the thrill and danger of various historical events through the eyes of a child that survived that specific moment in history. Tarshis writes about historical events such as the sinking of the Titanic, Nazi invasions, shark attacks, and volcanic eruptions.
Not only are her topics very engaging, but her writing style really pulls kids in.
Most chapters end with a cliff-hanger and she includes just enough description for the reader to create a clear image in their mind, without going overboard. As a teacher, I particularly enjoy how after each story is finished, Tarshis includes important facts, timelines, and even maps that help the reader better understand the historic event or period in time.
With my Grade 4 students, I use two I Survived books during our historical fiction unit. Our mentor text during this unit is Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, so I selected two I Survived books that take place during the same time period (WWII).
Eleven year-old Danny Crane is alone on his favorite beach in Hawaii when the world is torn apart and World War II officially hits the United States. Does he have what it takes to find his way home in the midst of the bombs, the smoke, and the destruction of the day that will live in infamy?
In this gripping new addition to the bestselling I Survived series, a young Jewish boy escapes the ghetto and finds a group of resistance fighters in the forests of Poland. Does he have what it takes to survive the Nazis—and fight back?
Once students complete their reading, I task them with completeing the Analyze the Setting Activity, specific to the I Survived Collection by Lauren Tarshis.
If you decide to use a book from the I Survived Collection during your historical fiction unit my free worksheet will be very useful!
The Analyze the Setting Activity asks students a variety of questions about the setting and main ideas of the story that require them to have a general understanding, make inferences, and examine the language and structure of the text.
This worksheet can be used outside of a historical fiction unit and it works with any of the I Survived books.
Download the Analyze the Setting Activity for the I Survived Collection by Lauren Tarshis now.