Some of the most important historical figures are Abraham Lincoln, Buffalo Bill Cody, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and William Quantrill. Have the students use a reference source to find out more information about each person. Ask them to discuss why the author included them in the novel. These books take place during the Civil War. Have students create a time line of the major events preceding, during, and immediately following the Civil War.
Some people say history repeats itself.
Others say history doesn't repeat itself, people do. Have students identify events in these books that have occurred at other times in history. Discuss whether they are also occurring now, and predict if they will occur in the future. Discuss wars from the past, as well as present wars, and hypothesize if war will occur in the future. Have students discuss mail-order brides and how men found wives at other times in history.