Tucket's Home- (1) Historical Fiction Chapter Book

Tucket’s Home

By: Gary Paulsen

Genre: Historical Fiction

Award: N/A

Grade Level: Tucket’s Home is the fifth and final book of the Francis Tucket series. This series would be appropriate for sixth graders because its historical relevance is relatable to the sixth grade curriculum. Also, when considering the detailed gruesomeness of certain events from the story, one might suggest an even higher grade level. For example, the book talks about a massacre of English men on the Oregon Trail stating “Bentley’s head [was] jammed on the end of a lance, the light from the fire giving it a hideous glow that made it look almost still alive.”

Summary: Though I did not read the entire Tucket series, I found this book to be an entertaining page turner. The beginning went into a brief overview of the story highlighting main characters Francis, Billy, and Lottie which made the story more relevant and relatable for readers who were unfamiliar with the series.  Historical themes such as the Oregon Trail, Pawnee Indians, Comancheros, Spanish conquistadors, Westward expansion, and the Mexican War were all highlighted throughout the book. Though the book did mention incidents and characters I was unfamiliar with because I have not read the previous four books, I was still able to comprehend the story. During reading I was surprised at how many conflicts the main characters could face, but was pleasantly surprised by the positive ending.

Classroom Strategies: Throughout the novel Francis, Billy, and Lottie go through many adventures based on historical facts. Instruct sixth grade students to create a new adventure the three go on during their search for Francis’ family. Make sure students base their adventure on a historical moment of the time period (U.S. early 1900s).

After reviewing historical themes from the book, such as Manifest Destiny, have a classroom discussion about the history within the book. Ask students open ended questions like “Which parts do you think are true or are based on historical fact?” “How has this book changed your perspective on the westward movement or how Indians were treated?” or “After reading this historical fiction novel, do you believe historical fiction is more fact than fiction, why?”

Gary Paulsen

ESOL: The first classroom activity utilizes ESOL strategies such as identifying main ideas and vocabulary as well as brainstorming. The classroom discussion activity utilizes compare and contrast, summarizing, and interactive language tasks.

Read Aloud: I would read the authors note, pages 89-93, aloud to a sixth grade class because it sets the background of the novel. It goes into historical detail of the West giving the reader a real look into America’s past. I also believe this will entice the students to want to read the book and series.

Personal Opinion: Though I did not read the entire series I did thoroughly enjoy this book. I did find it a bit gruesome in parts, but the author, Gary Paulsen, is amazing at describing plots so the reader feels as though he is right in the action. The characters were fully developed and the ending was unexpectedly pleasant.