Mr. Griffith’s history class: HISTORICAL BOOK PROJECT EXPECTATIONS – Spring 2012

This project is worth 100 points (expected for full credit) in the project section of your grade. After reading any recommended or teacher-approved history-related book, you have a variety of options to earn credit for this assignment. Each of the task options in the section below are assigned expected point values for satisfactory completion: if you do a task well (as defined below) you will earn the indicated amount of points for that task; partial credit may be awarded for less than satisfactory work. Your goal should be to earn at least 100 points of credit for tasks relating to at least one recommended OR teacher-approved book. Each task can only be used only once per semester for this class no matter how many books you read, so the maximum possible score for this assignment would be a 480/100 (480%).

  • Any and all tasks earning credit for this project areDUE on or before Monday, March 26 (the day after Spring break).NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS PROJECT: DON’T PROCRASTINATE!!!Show Mr. Griffith your book before Spring Break and make sure it is approved.
  • Any and all tasks for this project absolutely must be IN YOUR OWN WORDS:
  • BE WARNED: If I discover that you copied anything from any sourcewithout giving proper credit (besides quotes from the book itself, and only as applicable to particular tasks) you will notreceive any creditfor the task that was plagiarized and may forfeit all credit for other tasks with no chance to regain it!
  • In order to receive credit for any task, clearly label next to your name which LEVEL (1-5) and which LETTER task it is!!!

LEVEL ONE TASKS = up to 5 POINTS EACH (maximum possible = 20 points)

  1. If you could change places with one of the character in the book, which one would it be? Why would you pick this character? Use specific examples and details from the story in your answer and write a ½ page minimum length explanation.
  2. Move the setting of the story by changing the time and the place. Explain how this would change the book. Give specific examples of how this would affect or alter the story.(½ page minimum length)
  3. Which one of the characters would make the best friend and why? Give specific examples from the story that explain why you would pick this character? (½ page minimum length explanation)
  4. If you could give any character in the novel a present to help them in the story, what would you give them and why? Explain using details from the story how this would help the character. (½ page minimum length explanation)

LEVEL TWO TASKS = up to 10 POINTS EACH (maximum possible = 80 points)

  1. Write a ½ page minimum length poem that expresses a particular element of the story; for example: the plot, a character, the setting, or the main conflict. Write a brief explanation of the poem and what it means to the book. (½ page minimum length explanation, not including the poem)
  2. Write and perform a TV commercial (1 minute long) to encourage people to read the book. Incorporate specific elements of the story. A written copy must be turned in.
  3. Write a letter to the author explaining your thoughts about the book. Include what you liked, what you did not like, and how you connected to characters in the book.(one page minimum length)
  4. Create a new character to add to the book. Describe this character and explain what important role he or she would play if added to the book’s plot, giving specific examples of when, where, and how they would have a significant impact on the story. (one page minimum length)
  5. Create a bookmark that creatively illustrates the story. On the back of the bookmark, write 5 words that describe the book along with a brief reason why you chose each word. Make sure the title, author, your name, level 2, & letter E are written on your bookmark.
  6. Create a full page sized collage using cutout magazine pictures & words that describe your novel. Write a brief explanation of your collage.
  7. If you had written the book, which part would you have written differently? Explain how you would have written it and how it would have made a difference in the story. (one page minimum length)
  8. Pick a familiar melody (e.g. Mary Had A Little Lamb or If You’re Happy And You Know It) and change the lyrics so they tell about your book. Write enough verses to equal at least one page of lyrics.

LEVEL THREE TASKS = up to 20 POINTS EACH (maximum possible = 100 points)

  1. Creatively redesign the front and back cover of your book. include all the important information about the book: a plot summary blurb, information about the author, price, etc. (look at different book covers for ideas). Make sure the title, author, your name, level 3, & letter A are written on your cover.
  2. Interview a character. Write the interview questions and the answers the character would give in the interview. You must ask and create plausible answers for at least ten in-depth and open-ended questions. No credit will be given for boring factual questions. (two page minimum length)
  3. Create a travel poster or brochure inviting people to come visit the setting of your book. Include some quotes from the book that describe the setting.
  4. Design the front page of a newspaper with headlines and at least one story about what happened in the book. There must be at least one picture on the front page. Look at other newspapers for creative ideas to help you with the layout. (equivalent to at least two pages minimum length)
  5. Draw a detailed picture of one of the characters from your book who is well described. Using quotes from the book, point out different attributes of the character on your picture. You must include at least ten quotes as captions clearly labeling specific features of your illustration.

LEVEL FOUR TASKS = up to 30 POINTS EACH (maximum possible = 120 points)

  1. Summarize the plot of the book by creating a comic strip version. Use at least 30 frames to tell the story of the book. Use color & speech bubbles.
  2. Write a dear Abbey column for your book’s characters. Write letters from characters who ask for advice based on the problems they face in the book. Respond back with advice that you would give them to help with their problems. You must write at least four letters: two asking for help and two longer ones giving advice. (three page minimum length)
  3. Create a visual timeline of major historical events in the book. Use large paper and include illustrations and captions for at least 30 events.
  4. Create a time capsule for your book containing at least 15 objects that each represent something about its story with a brief written explanation for each. Also Include a letter explaining where you would bury the time capsule and why.

LEVEL FIVE TASKS = up to 40 POINTS EACH (maximum possible = 160 points)

  1. Pretend you are a character from the story and write a diary for the character explaining the events of the story as seen from his/her point of view. Include a chronicle of what happened to the character, as well as how he/she felt during this time. You must create at least eight diary entries. (four page minimum length)
  2. Research and write a four page minimum length report in your own wordsabout the author of your book. Include information about his/her life and work. Include a photo of the author.Credit your sources.
  3. Is there something mentioned in your book that you would like to know more about? Research that topic and write a report in your own words about it. Credit your sources. Include a paragraph about why you picked your topic and how it relates to the book you read. (four page minimum length)
  4. Create a news show about your book including at least 4 minutes of information about its story. Visual aid required with presentation.
  • Reading is one of the most beneficial and enjoyable lifetime activities for all ages:reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body – and anyone who does not enjoy reading simply needs to find books that are to their taste! In the words of Charles W. Eliot, “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.”

On this page are various suggestedworks of historical fiction, biography, history, etc. Authors’ names are in bold print and specific book titles (where indicated) are underlined and in bold print.This list includes some of Mr. Griffith’s personal favorites and many of these books are quite challenging; see Mr. Griffith for easier suggestions.

Feel free to choose your ownhistorical novel, biography, or academic history book to read and write about as long as you get Mr. Griffith’s approval and permission in advance. However, any book you choosemust be based on historyANDset before your lifetime (historical fiction or history / biography only: no fantasy).

Many of the authors below happen to be personal favorites of mine and all are fairly successful / popular, as well as potentially educational. However, I realize that many of the authors or books on this list may be controversial; moreover, let there be no doubt that the authors / books on this page are not endorsed by Mr. Griffith or NDHS as either historically authoritative or “PG-13” and they are notrequired reading: they are optional suggestions only. Parents must make sure THEY feel that the book their child selects is appropriate.

Furthermore, students: it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make sure you have the fully informed approval of your PARENT(s) / GUARDIAN(s) to read whichever book you choose. Do not read any book for this assignment that your PARENT(s) / GUARDIAN(s)may consider inappropriatefor whatever reason!

  • Alexandre Dumas (Count of Monte Christo, Three Musketeers, etc.)
  • Bernard Cornwell (various historical novels about Medieval times such as The Archer's Tale)
  • Conn Iggulden(various historical novels about Julius Caesar and the Mongol empire such as The Gates of RomeorBones of the Hills)
  • Cecil Scott Forester (historical novels about the Napoleonic Wars)
  • Charles Dickens (historical novels about 1800s Britain)
  • Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code)
  • Gaius Julius Caesar (several of his writings about his military campaigns have been translated)
  • Gary Jennings (Aztec, Marco Polo, etc.)
  • Gore Vidal
  • Harold Albert Lamb (many famous historical novels, biographies, and histories)
  • Herman Melville (various novels, most famous for Moby Dick)
  • Irving Stone (he wrote a lot of famous biographies of various interesting people)
  • Isabelle Allende (Zorro, Infinite Plan, The House of the Spirits, Ines of My Soul, Eva Luna, etc.)
  • Jack Whyte (The Camulod Chronicles are excellent historical novels about King Arthur’s era set in post-Roman Britain)
  • James Clavell (Shogun, as well as many other excellent historical novels about Japan)
  • James L. Nelson (historical novels about the naval warfare)
  • James W. Loewen (Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your History Textbook Got Wrong)
  • Jane Austen (fiction set in Romantic era England)
  • Jared Diamond (famous for books that combine anthropology, biology, linguistics, genetics, and history; his most famous book is Guns, Germs, and Steel)
  • Jean Marie Auel (she is best known for her “Earth's Children” books: a series of novels set in prehistoric Europe featuring a strong heroine)
  • John Steinbeck
  • Ernest Hemingway
  • José Frèches (historical novels about ancient and Medieval China)
  • Joseph Conrad (various historical novels, most famous for Heart of Darkness)
  • Ken Follett (entertaining historical novels about 12th century England, World War II)
  • Kenneth Lewis Roberts (American historical novels)
  • Livy [Titus Livius] (histories of Rome)
  • Lucia St. Clair Robson (various historical novels, including Light a Distant Fire [about Osceola and the Seminoles])
  • Margaret George (she has written a lot of famous biographies of various interesting people)
  • Mary Renault (historical novels about the ancient world)
  • MichaelShaara andJeffrey Shaara (various historical novels, The Killer Angels, Gods and Generals)
  • Murasaki Shikibu 紫式部 (a Japanese novelist, poet, and servant of the imperial court during the Heian period: wrote “The Tale of Genji” one of the earliest and most famous novels in human history)
  • Nicholas Nicastro (historical novels)
  • Nigel Tranter (various historical novels about Scotland)
  • Patrick O’Brian (many exciting & action packed historical novels about the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars)
  • Robert Louis Stevenson (various historical adventure novels)
  • Robin Lane Fox (many histories of the ancient world, including one of the best biographies of Alexander the Great)
  • Sharon Kay Penman (excellent historical novels about medieval England and Wales with interesting female characters)
  • Sir Walter Scott(Ivanhoe)
  • Thucydides (The Peloponnesian War)
  • Wilbur Smith (very entertaining historical fiction about British Imperialism in Africa)
  • Winston Churchill(various academic histories)
  • Wu Cheng'en 吳承恩(a Chinese novelist and poet of the Ming Dynasty: his most famous novel is Xi You Ji [Journey to the West]; the best English translation of this book is by Arthur Waley and it is called “Monkey”)
  • Zoé B. Oldenbourg (historical novels set in medieval France, Crusades, Cathars, etc.)