Blog Partner Discussion 5: Historical Fiction
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6. Your personal response to the book
7. Evaluate it in terms of its genre
8. Evaluate its literary quality
9. Evaluate its illustrations
10. Evaluate in terms of multicultural considerations including the credibility of the author and illustrator
11. Discuss for whom the book is intended and the ways in which it might be used in the classroom
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The Historical Fiction we have chosen to critique is entitled the Death of the Iron Horse. This book is written and illustrated by Paul Goble.It was published in 1987 by Bradbury Press in New York. The illustration on the cover tells a vivid story. Can you tell a story of what's inside by just looking at it? But what about the topic what picture does it paint?
ReplyDeleteThe Death of the IRON Horse shows the coming of the British to America.This is an historical fiction.The language is clear but if you have no prior knowledge you may not understand what the story is about.The author is consistent and illustrations are vivid
ReplyDeleteWhen you read this story you are taken to the world of history of the railroad. The setting happened in the USA after the ending of the civil war. It provides information on how the Cheyennes- Native Indians were driven into reservations by the Army. The characters presented experience problems consistent with the times as they thought they were being robbed of the priviledge to enjoy their land. The army had destroyed many of their families, land and animals. Killing the iron horse was their way of stopping the army. Why do you believe they called the train an iron horse?
ReplyDeleteI believe they call it an Iron horse because the horse was the only means of transportation that moved so fast. Then came this object that carries people like the horse and moves just as fast or faster, so they linked the two
ReplyDeleteIf I just read the topic without observing the illustration,I would be looking for a science fiction where someone destroyed an iron horse,which was created by someone with fire or some other means. However after viewing the picture I realized that it was about Native Indians who were accustomed to horses as their only means of travel and so the author chooses to play on the words to help the reader to think of the train as an iron horse.
ReplyDeleteI love the use of language at the beginning of the book. It stimulates my reading ego to read on to find out the history of the two set of people. What do you think about the language/
ReplyDeleteThe story also gives a vivid picture of how the Cheyanne Indians showed their opposition to any form of construction through their land.they tried in every way to derailed the train.Since they were hurting for their families.The locomotive was new to them so they refer to it as an iron horse
ReplyDeleteHistory never has a single side to its story, Do you know of any other history book that we could use to compare with Death of the Iron Horse?
ReplyDeleteTo me the main theme of this story was bravery. If I was living in this era I would either fall into one of two nationalities - A native indian or the British Army. My sympathy lies with the Native Indians - The Cheyennes as they were called at that time. I hated the fact that these Europeans came in and destroyed the Earth by mining the valuables in such a way that the natives were unable to get their medicines as they usually did.
ReplyDeleteWhen dealing with historical events, it is important to deal plainly with the truth. Did this text spoke the truth or was it sugar coated?
ReplyDeleteThe thick black smoke reminded them of oppression so they were inspired to get rid of the monster.Fear came out in the story as the indians had encountered the Americans taking the land they now going to fight tooth and nail tosave their legacy.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I remember the author spoke the truth as to what unfold
ReplyDeleteThe illustrations are good, they highlighted the most important aspects of the story : The entrance of the Europeans and the destruction of the tribe. Do you notice the use of colour? This seem to an important aspect of the Native Indian culture which the author wanted to emphasize. I believe they would appeal to the reader more if they were contemporary but the true meaning would have been lost. Paul Goble seem to be a very good illustrator as he even won a caldecott award for his book The Girl who loved wild horses. I would be very priviledge to read all these books.
ReplyDeleteThe text The DEATH OF THE Iron HORSE was inspiring .Its illustrations from the prophets point of viewwas sombre but triumphphant .
ReplyDeleteI believe that this book is intended for informing persons of the truth behind the only train wreck done by the Indian people - Cheyennes. The author ensured to give an accurate account before he actually began the story. The book could be used in a Social Studies or History Class as it describes the fight of the Cheyennes for their lives, liberty and their own pursuit of happiness. I really like Indian stories, I believe that these individuals were treated unfairly by the Europeans and they should be given an apology. Its only a pity that we could not bring back the land to what it was before the Europeans came.
ReplyDelete