Historical Fiction

Hi,
This week I am going to share some historical fiction that I really like.

Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson – This is the story of the plague of yellow fever that overtook the city of Philidelphia during the summer of 1793. Mattie Cook spends her days trying to avoid any chores but when the fever breaks out, she finds an inner strength while dealing with the dreaded disease. This book is for ages 10 and up. (Laurie Halse Anderson also writes the Vet Volunteer books for slightly younger students.)

Avi is an author that writes well in any genre and I do mean that. His historical fiction is superb. The Secret School is about a one-room school whose teacher must leave immediately to care for her mother who is ill. There is just over six weeks of school left and the children are told they are to tell their families that school is over for the term. This means that Ida will not be able to graduate and go on to high school. The students all agree to continue to attend school and not tell their families. Another Avi book is Iron Thunder, the story of the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac. Avi has dozens more and all are good. He does write other genres, so make sure it is a genre that you are happy to put in your library.

Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop. Take twenty French children living in relative safety during the French occupation and then take ten Jewish children who need to be hidden from the Nazis and you have a great story. I have read this aloud to many students and they all love it.

Will Hobbs writes wonderful adventure books. Jason’s Gold and Down the Yukon are just two of them. These particular titles are about the gold rush to Nome, Alaska in the late 1800s. If I need to get a student a good book to read, I recommend Will Hobbs’ books.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. Tree-Ear, a homeless orphan becomes involved with a master potter during the twelfth century in Korea. When a pot is accidentally broken, Tree-Ear must repay for his carelessness by working for the potter. And later, when one pot can bring great financial gain, Tree-Ear is able to help his master.

Dear America books are written in diary format and are very popular with nearly all of our students. Each book is the imaginary diary of someone during a time in history such as the Civil War, Vietnam, Depression, and many other time periods. At the end of the books is a section on the history of the time period and gives more information. The books are popular with grades 5 and up. Each Dear America book is the diary of a girl, Royal Diaries are about royal girls, My Name is America is the journal of a boy, and My America is a short version for younger ages.

I hope these titles are popular with your students. If you have some books that your students enjoy, let me know and I’ll pass those titles along.

Have a good week.
Audrey
Sdalibrarian.blogspot.com