What+criteria+should+you+consider+when+selecting+historical+fiction?

====== ===What is historical fiction? What are some topics that you can expect to find in historical fiction? Why is historical fiction important for children to read? What criteria should you consider when selecting historical fiction? ===

Click the Edit button (far right side of screen) and paste your content in the space below. Make sure to Save changes before exiting.

Historical fiction is part fact and part fiction. The story could have happened and is set in a time that is considered history. There are many differing opinions about how long it is until it is considered history. The earliest is that the events must occur at least one generation (20 years) prior to the date of the original publication (Lynch-Brown 147). But, there are times when stories that were originally considered realistic fiction have now become historical fiction. The events would not be historical fiction if based on the publication date, but would if based on the date it is read.

There are a few different types of historical fiction. First of all, the most common form is when the main characters are fictitious but actual historical figures may be secondary characters. An example of this type of historical fiction is //The Battle for St. Michaels// by Emile Arnold McCully. The main character in the story, Caroline, helps to save the town of St. Michaels, Maryland in 1813 against the British. Caroline is fictional, but three secondary characters, Captain Dodson, Captain Kemp and John Stevens are real. While some parts of the plot are fictional, what is true is that S. Michaels survived an attack by the British.

Another kind of historical fiction is when there is no mention of an historical event or historical figure. The past is described using the social traditions, customs, morals and values of the period. An example of this kind of realistic fiction is //Tattered Sails// by Verla Kay. This story, told in verse, gives a complete picture of how a family travelled from London to America on a boat in the 1600’s. Another type of historical fiction was originally written as realistic fiction about an event but the story has endured and is now considered historical fiction.

Some topics that can be found in historical fiction include search for freedom, love of the land and independence and loyalty and honor. Other themes can be technological advances and economic challenges. These must accurately reflect the times of the period, and not conform to contemporary times.

Historical fiction is important for children to read because it allows the reader to experience the past. They can experience how it felt to be a child in America during World War II in //Across the Blue Pacific: A World War II Story// or how it felt to be a child in Warsaw, Poland during that same time period in //The Cats in Krasinski Square//. It also allows children to understand their own culture and heritage. For example, they may have a better understanding of an event that happened to their own grandparents or other relations. We need to understand our past and it is never too early to start.

There are some special criteria that needs to be considered when selecting historical fiction. The plot must be credible and reflect the times of that time period. The values, actions and beliefs of the characters must also accurately represent that particular time period. The reader must be able to fully realize the setting in historical fiction especially for children since they have no background knowledge on these historical periods.

Activity: Many historical fiction books can be used to compare and contrast life in the present with life in the past. You can also compare two lives during the same time period. For this activity, use //The Cats in Krasinski Square// by Karen Hesse and //Across the Blue Pacific: A World War II Story// by Louise Borden. Both of these stories occur during World War II, but one in America and one in Poland. Have students compare those two stories, and then compare one with their own lives. This can be as simple as reading the stories and having a discussion with the students about similarities and differences to having the students fill out a graphic organizer. As a culminating activity, have the students write a diary page for either of the main characters for a particular day. Have the students pick a day to write about that is represented in the book. References:

Biography and Historical Fiction Powerpoint Lecture by Mia Morgan, accessed October 17, 2010.

Borden, Louise. //Across the Blue Pacific: A World War II Story//. Illus. Robert Andrew Parker. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006.

Hesse, Karen. T//he Cats in Krasinski Square//. Illus. Wendy Watson. New York: Scholastic Press, 2004.

Kay, Verla. //Tattered Sails//. Illus. Dan Andreasen. New York: G.P. Putnam, 2001.

Lynch-Brown, Carol and Carl M. Tomlinson. Essential of Children’s Literature. 5th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2005.

McCully, Emily Arnold. //The Battle for St. Michaels//. USA: Harper Collins, 2002.