My books are in schools. It’s really happening!! I always hoped my historical novel would be used for education. It has been a goal and a dream of mine ever since the book has been in print. Now, slowly but surely, private high schools and colleges are using Yours Faithfully, Florence Burke in the classroom to support their curriculum.
I remember in 2015, before my book was even published, I wrote a blog about the importance of Historical fiction to education. https://ellenalden.com/5486/historical-fiction-and-education-bringing-the-past-to-life And now schools are responding and including my book in their studies.
I know that historical fiction can bring time periods in history to life and make it more engaging and meaningful to students. Along with a text book, historical fiction can add an extra connection to the past, especially when it is told by those who lived it.
This September students at Salem State University will be reading my book in their Economic History class, and at the high school level, sophomores at Austin Prep School, will be reading my book in their college prep level elective on the Civil War.
Others, such as Tilton School, in New Hampshire, will be reading Yours Faithfully, Florence Burke in their history and honors US history courses. I couldn’t be happier.
In addition to reading a story about a real family who lived through two extraordinary time periods in history (the Irish Potato Famine and the Civil War), students will be able to view the original letters online from their classroom or in person if they take a field trip to the Burns Library at Boston College. Reading letters from an actual Irish immigrant serving in the Civil War will make the historical period more personal and poignant.
I hope more schools and colleges choose my novel to complement their curriculum. I will be visiting and discussing the life of my Irish immigrant ancestors with students reading my book this year– and I can’t wait.
I feel fortunate to have found this “window into the past” and I hope to engage and inspire young history students who like to learn outside of the textbook.
Thanks and please share if you know an educator or school who may benefit from this novel. My hope is that every school year, my book reaches more students, and soon it may be the historical novel go-to when the curriculum involves immigration and/or the Civil War Period.
Chris Roman says
August 9, 2018 at 4:56 pmI’m very happy for you. I enjoyed your book so much and learned a lot even being past 70 y.o., proving, I guess that you are never too old to learn.
Ellen Alden says
August 13, 2018 at 10:57 amHi Chris, of course you are never too old to learn. My grandmother read my book when she was 96, and the oldest woman on Facebook read my book at 104! So you are a spring chicken. Thank you for the kind words and thank you for reading my book.
Megan Lott says
August 9, 2018 at 5:46 pmAmazing! Congratulations Ellen
Ellen Alden says
August 13, 2018 at 10:55 amThank you, Megan!
Sarah Whitehead says
August 9, 2018 at 6:05 pmI ONLY WISH my school would read this. I know I always hated history, but if I was assigned a book like this it would have made a big difference!
Ellen Alden says
August 13, 2018 at 10:55 amThank you, Sarah. I will try Proctor again next year when I hear feedback from the schools this year.
Edie Mckinnon says
August 9, 2018 at 6:09 pmSoooo happy for you Elllen and congers to your new digs! Your new home is beautiful( how about St. John’s prep and Bishop Fenwick? I’m sure they’ would be interested, for their curriculum!
Ellen Alden says
August 13, 2018 at 10:53 amGreat ideas, Edie. Now that I am settled, I plan to reach out to private schools in this gorgeous area! Please come for a visit, you aren’t too far!
Edward Raymond Tatten says
August 12, 2018 at 11:07 amWonderful, Ellen. You are showing the way for authors like me who have similar aspirations for their work.
Hope to meet you someday.
Ellen Alden says
August 13, 2018 at 10:52 amThanks for the note, Ed. I’m trying to prove that self-published authors can make an impact on education, too! Good luck with your work–it’s not easy, but it’s not impossible!!
Bob Brooks says
August 28, 2018 at 9:16 pmEllen…beautifully written! It was my summer reading book. We communicated through Facebook about the book. My name is Bob Brooks and I’m one of the host on WROL AM 950. Irish Hit Parade and A Feast of Irish Music! I heard your interview with Seamus Mulligan and had to get the book! I also love history!
Your book meant a great deal to me! My great great grandfather, Andrew Connell, from County Kerry came over from Ireland in the 1840s as well. He came with his brother Mairice. They both lived in Quincy. They both fight in the Civil War for the north. They fought the second Massachusetts regiment. Andrew was injured in the battle of Cedar Mountain Virginia and suffered a stroke and partial paralysis. He was fortunate enough to survive and returned back to Massachusetts. Where he settled in Cambridge and married Ellen Quinlan from County Limerick. They had nine children. My great grandmother was Catherine O’Connell, she gave birth to Elizabeth Galvin who is my grandmother on my father side.
This beautifully written book gave me great insight, of what I’m sure many of the things that my great great grandfather experienced just like Florence Burke did. Thank you for writing it and bring it to life for me! I hope to meet you in person someday. I always thought it would be great to write a book about my great grandfather as well. Keep writing and I’m so glad this has made its way to some schools!
Ellen Alden says
August 29, 2018 at 9:25 amHi Bob, hey thanks for reaching out to me and for reading my book! I am so happy you enjoyed it, and please write your story! You wont believe the reward of sharing your ancestor’s life and connecting with others who have similar pasts like us. I am off to Ireland in a few weeks and I can’t wait to speak and meet with author Damian Shiels, who writes about the Irish in the Civil War. His website is irishamericancivilwar.com. Good Luck and let me know if you need any help with your own book!