Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction is one of my most favorite reads!  I find that historical fiction allows me to go back in time while it engages me in a fictional story.  Good authors offer readers an opportunity to rewind the clock and return to a time in the past as well as learn about the past. In doing so, the reader has a true feeling or sense of what life may have been like at a particular time in history.  More importantly, it can help build background knowledge for a reader. 


Johnson (2012) summed it best when she stated that good historical fiction provides the reader with the opportunity to connect with people and events in the past.  In fact, she said, by doing so, it helps the reader connect to the present as well as the future.  Additionally, it provides a balanced view of historical events and can offer multiple perspectives to a reader.  Finally, it is one of the few ways to transport a reader to a different place, time, and culture without leaving the classroom.  


Reading historical fiction lends itself to cross-curricular opportunities.  This can offer significant value to students as they can utilize information learned in multiple ways and more importantly, in multiple classrooms.  Historical fiction also affords readers the opportunity to learn about a historical time period in a personal manner, through the lives of the fictional characters.  This enhances a students' learning because a typical history book will simply provide facts and very few personal accounts.  


Historical fiction has many uses in the classroom.  Not only can it be used in multiple contents, but it can also be used in several ways.  For example, students and teachers can perform read alouds, perform dramatic plays or scenes, and engage in meaningful discussions.  


Here are a few suggested historical fiction pieces of literature that I recommend for various age groups:


Picture Books:

Sarah:  The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving, by Laurie Halse Anderson is a wonderful story about Sarah Hale.  Hale was a determined woman who would not settle for "no".  She was determined to write letters until her voice was eventually heard.  This serves as a great story about determination and strong will as well as shares insight to a woman's place during the Civil War era.




Short Chapter Book: 

Number the Stars, written by Lois Lowry is a fantastic story of friendship and survival during a time of turmoil.  One of the best parts of this book is the fact that it is told from the perspective of 10-year old Annemarie Johansen during the  Nazi occupation of Copenhagen, Denmark in 1943.  Readers immediately fall in love with Annemarie and admire her friendship with Ellen.  This book offers readers a true feeling of life in Denmark during this chaotic and dangerous time in history, which allows readers to make connections.




Young Adolescent Book:

Elephant Run, by Roland Smith, is one of my all time favorite books.  Readers will follow 14-year old Nick and his friend Mya as they try to free their family from Japanese soldiers that have imprisoned them.  Readers engage quickly in their adventure through the jungles of Burma.  Additionally, they learn the role of timber elephants in a remote part of the world, that many know very little about.  Readers are immersed into the Burmese culture as well as the Japanese culture during World War II.  This book was a real page turner for me...