Historical fiction is a great way for children to learn history, and be engaged at the same time.
Published: 1999 Theme: Resilience Best for: 9 and up "We were all standing in line waiting for breakfast when one of the caseworkers came in and tap-tap-tapped down the line. Uh-oh, this meant bad news, either they'd found a foster home for somebody or somebody was about to get paddled." Humor, pathos, drama, history, and emotion create an intensely beautiful and impactful piece of children's literature...
Published: 1995 Theme: Family Best for: 11 and up ""Lona, what you teach these babies up North? Don't they know how to give no one a proper hug?" Grandma Sands reached up over Byron's head. "A little short on hair but we gonna get on just fine, what you think, By?" Country kids meet city kids. Northern kids meet life in the South, circa 1963. Sibling rivalry. Delinquency. Parental decisions. The ground this book covers is astounding...
Published: 2007 Theme: Freedom and Slavery Best for: 12 and up "I'd started with ten fish and now I was down to six, and even though I ain't particular worthy at my schooling, it'd take a whole lot of doggone humbug algebra and trickaration geometry to make ten percent of ten come out to four." In this skillfully written historical fiction children's book, we see the world through the eyes of a freeborn child, whose parents had been slaves.
Published: 1954 Theme: Wonder and Hope Best for: 8 to 12 "We can't think much when we don't know much. But we can wonder!..For sometimes, when we wonder, we can make things begin to happen." With a wise teacher at their helm, five young children in the Netherlands begin to wonder, and act. And through that, the town changes, all for the better.
Published: 2001 Theme: Queen of England Best for: 12 to 14 "So my sister was now queen. And because she had triumphed, I was next! This was the moment, standing in the knot garden, when I realized that someday I, too, would become queen of England..." In this historical fiction children's book, we get a very good look at the way power can corrupt even the best of people...
Published: 1998 Theme: Peace at all costs Best for: 9 and up "There they go," a voice said. "There go the cowards." Samuel Russsell clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white but he did not look around..."Cowards", that was what many people called him and his father and all his people." This very informed historical fiction children's book depicts an actual event involving the Quakers in New York State, and their encounter with French Canadian Indians, told through the eyes of two young boys.
Published: 1963 Theme: Historical Fantasy Best for: 8 and up "The only thing a cat worries about is what's happening right now. As we tell the kittens, you can only wash one paw at a time." This time-travel, historical fantasy stands out through the heart-felt and accurate portrayal of cats and their behavior, sharing traits that are often missed by non-cat lovers.
Published: 1998 Theme: Native American lifestyle Best for: 9 and up classrooms "I believe that in many instances where the white settlers had trouble with the Indians it all started because the Indians were just curious to know what in the world the white settlers were doing, and not be because they ...even knew they were doing any damage." This nonfiction children's book is simple and informative, giving a full and loving picture of a culture that tragically has disappeared.
Published: 2014 Theme: Faith Best for: 11 and up "Everyone in Chile has an explanation for earthquakes. I say that the earth has the right to yawn and stretch just as I do in my bed when I don't want to wake early for school, and also has the right to sneeze as we all do when covered in dust." Profound and poetical are the best two words to capture the new children's book by Chilean author Marjorie Agosin about a young girl forced into exile from Chile...
Published: 1960 Theme: Coming of Age Best for: ages 8-11 " One sheep does not think. He does this and he does that and there is no sense to it. But the flock thinks. And what the flock thinks each and every one sheep in the flock knows at once and altogether. It is strange but it is so..." I was surprised and enchanted by this children's book from start to finish. It is a quick read, compelling, informative, and even moving at the end...
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