Meeting Ann Rinaldi

The Independence Park Institute (IPI) held an Educators' Open House on Jan. 26th, 2008 at the Independence National Historical Park and invited author Ann Rinaldi as the keynote speaker. Ann Rinaldi is the author of many amazing historical fictions for young people. Rinaldi's books are based on key turning points in American History and characters depicted in the stories capture the powerful emotions, conflicts, perspectives of the time.

At the seminar, Rinaldi describe the research that was involved with every project - since all her books are based on historical events or historical figures, Rinaldi is careful not to recreate or misrepresent history. Rinaldi expressed that in her writing, she refuse to put words into historical characters' mouths without proofs from historical documents. I was extremely impressed by her knowledge and dedication to historical authenticity - I'm sure being someone as creative as she is, it is so much easier to make things up! At the same time, I cannot imagine the catastrophic impact it will have in her young readers if the history behind Rinaldi's stories are inaccurate or poorly researched. Young people are drawn to stories and they remember story plots much better than textbooks - sometimes, in attempt to understand the background of a story, students are intrinsically motivated to do research on their own hoping to find the truth.

Some books tell the stories of famous American characters:
"Or Give Me Death" - A Novel of Patrick Henry's Family
"Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons" - The Story of Phillis Wheatley
"Finishing Becca" - A Story about Peggy Shippen and Benedict Arnold

Some books are based on important events in American History:
"A Break With Charity" - A Story about the Salem Witch Trials
"The Fifth of March" - The Story of the Boston Massacre
"Cast Two Shadows" - The American Revolution in the South

Secretly, I've always loved literature and felt strongly about using historical fiction as a enrichment tool to teaching history to young people. I am inspired by Ann Rinaldi's passion for American History, her courage to discuss controversy, and her creativity through storytelling.

Many times, I hear students complain about how disconnected their classes are, how they have to change gears every 40 minutes throughout a school day walking from English to Math to Spanish, etc. I am hoping to collaborate with the English teacher of my students and design a curriculum that incorporates English and Social Studies. Perhaps this could be a good start to true interdisciplinary collaboration at Herricks Middle School!