2006-2007 Stepney Elementary Library Historical Fiction

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Historical Fiction

Historical fiction can be defined as real children with real problems living a long, long time ago.  Historical fiction is a story in which the setting is realistic and more than 25 years ago.  Historical fiction gives the reader a look at daily life and problems in an era different than today's era.  The problems of yesterday are sometimes reflected in the problems of today. They could be family relation problems or problems dealing with the environment. Here are other characteristics to think about when reading historical fiction.

 Daily Life:

• chores
• clothing
• food
• transportation
• lighting sources
• laundry methods
• necessities

School: details about the importance of or lack of education

• books
• play (fun activities)
• chores

In Town:

• religious life
• stores
• services

 
     Relationships:

• parents
• brothers and sisters
• grandparents
• friends
• teachers and other adults

Here are some of our favorite historical fiction titles:

Susan Adler: American Girls series
Clyde Robert Bulla: A Lion to Guard Us
Betsy Byars: Trouble River
Kathleen Duey: American Diary and Survival series
Sid Fleischman: The Whipping Boy
Gina Ingoglia: Johnny Appleseed
Justine Korman: Davy Crockett series
Laurie Lawlor: Addie's Dakota Winter, Addie series
Wanda Luttrell: Sarah's Journey series
Roger Lea MacBride: Rocky Ridge Years series about Rose Wilder, daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder
Joan Lowery Nixon: Orphan Train Quartet series
Scott O'Dell:Island of the Blue Dolphin, Sing Down the Moon
Robert Newton Peck: Soup series
William O. Steel: Man with Silver Eyes
Theodore Taylor: The Cay, Timothy of the Cay
Bill Wallace: Buffalo Gal, The Final Freedom
Laura Ingalls Wilder: Little House on the Prairie series

Last Updated: 2006 October 26