What is Historical Fiction?
Historical fiction tells a story that is set in the past. That setting is usually real and drawn from history, and often contains actual historical persons, but the principal characters tend to be fictional. Writers of stories in this genre, while penning fiction, attempt to capture the manners and social conditions of the persons or time(s) presented in the story, with due attention paid to period detail and fidelity. Reading Historical Fiction gives us perspecive. It gives us a pause for a time from our present-day lives. It gives us a safe place in which we can grow, transform, transcend. It helps us to understand that sometimes the questions are too hard, that sometimes there are no answers, that sometimes there is only forgiveness.
“Historical fiction is realistic fiction set in a remote enough from the present to be considered history. Although historical fiction stories are imaginary, it is within the realm of possibility that such events could have occurred. In these stories, historical facts blend with imaginary characters and plot. The facts are actual historical events, authentic period settings, and real historical figures” (Lynch-Brown & Tomlison, p. 169).
Category Archives: Historical Fiction
Devil’s arithmetic
The Devil’s arithmetic by Jane Yolen ISBN: 0140345353 C. 1989 It’s passover and Hannah’s not looking forward to the traditions of her Jewish heritage. The traditional seder meal is being served and her relatives drone on and on about the … Continue reading →
Fever, 1793
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson ISBN: 978-0689838583, c.2000 It is 1793, set in Philadelphia, and the yellow fever epidemic is breaking out. Mattie Cook, is a teenage girl living in Philadelphia during the late 18th century, has many hopes … Continue reading →
George Washington’s Socks
George Washington’s Socks By Elvira Woodruff ISBN: 0590440365, Scholastic, c.1991 This story takes the “Adventure Club” members into the reality of the American Revolution warfare. There is the harrowing river crossing, like that of George Washington’s, confusion, the terrible weather, … Continue reading →
Posted in Adventure, Book Review, Five Star, Historical Fiction | Tagged Adventure, American Revolution, Clubs, Friendship, Historical Fiction, Mystery | Leave a comment
Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg By Rodman Philbrick ISBN: 978-0439668217, c2009. The story takes place during the battle of Gettysburg which gives a real feel for the time period and the reality of war. Homer is desperate … Continue reading →
Posted in Adventure, Book Review, Fiction, Four Star, Historical Fiction, Newbery Award | Tagged Adventure, Battle of Gettysburg, Brothers, Civil War, Courage, Lich, Loyalty, Newbery Honor Book, Orphans, tall tales, Underground Railroad | Leave a comment
Number the star
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry ISBN: 0440227534, c.1989 Number the Stars This story is set in Denmark in 1943, during World War II. During that time Denmark was under Nazi occupation. The story tells about the life of two … Continue reading →
Posted in Book Review, Four Star, Historical Fiction, Newbery Award | Tagged 1943, Copenhagen, Denmark, Friendship, Nazi regime | Leave a comment
Out of the dust
Out of the dust by Karen Hesse ISBN: 0590360809, c. 1997 A captivating journal from a young girl who captures what life was like living during the dust bowl period in history. It captures Billie Jo’s hardships in dealing with … Continue reading →
Posted in Book Review, Five Star, Historical Fiction, Realistic Ficiton | Tagged Depressions, Dust storms, Farm life, Great Depression, Oklahoma, Poetry | Leave a comment
Runaway Friend
The Runaway Friend. By Kathleen Ernst ISBN: 1593692986, c.2008 A Swedish girl, Kirsten, is faced with the challenge of living on the American frontier in Minnesota. It is a time where neighbors help neighbors out. Enter Erik Sandal, who got … Continue reading
Posted in Book Review, Five Star, Historical Fiction, Mystery | Tagged 19th Century, Friendship, Frontier and pioneer life, History, Minnesota, missing persons, Mystery and detective stories | Leave a comment
Winters Shadows
Winter shadows, by Margaret Buffie ISBN: 9780887769689, c.2010 Cass and Beatrice live in a solid two story stone house, Old Maples. Old Maples was built by Beatrice’s father, a middle class Scottish Métis who holds a high position in the … Continue reading →
Posted in Book Review, Historical Fiction | Tagged Family, step-families | Leave a comment
Reference
Lynch-Brown, C. & Tomlinson, C.M. (2008). Essentials of children’s literature [6th ed.]. Boston: Pearson Education.
Karrie's Corner 