Historical fictional means stories that take place in the past. These stories, although created in the mind of the author, have some historical significance, too. Many historical fiction stories are told with consideration of an actual historical event. Other historical fiction stories have no reference to an actual historical event. Instead they simply take place "in the olden days".
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Henry's Freedom Box
Witten by Ellen Levine
Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
"Do you see those leaves blowing in the wind?" Henry's mom asked him as a small boy. "They are torn from the trees like slave children are torn from their families." Henry would grow to learn how true her words were. In the book Henry's Freedom Box, Henry loses his family twice in his life. As a boy he is sold by his master and forced to leave his mother. As a man, he loses his wife and children when they are suddenly sold to a different owner. Henry is left with nothing to loose. He thinks up an extraordinary idea to find his way to the north where men are free. Henry's story is one of loss, hope and determination. With accompanying illustrations by Kadir Nelson, this book is a must-have for any good library collection.
Suggested Grade Level:K-3
Reading Level:2.6
Reviewed by Lorisa Harvey
Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation
Written by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Interest level: K-3
Reading level: 2.5
The story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott is put to rhythm by Dog Tired, a guitar strumming dog. This bluesy story takes the reader on the exhausting journey African Americans participated in for 13 months during the boycott until the landmark Supreme Court ruling that ended segregation. A great read aloud!
Reviewed by Lesley Hermann
The Cats in Krasinski Square
By Karen Hesse
Illustrated by Wendy Watson
Interest Level: 3-5
Reading Level: 3.5
Find out how a clever girl and some fantastic felines helped divert the dogs of the Gestapo in this retelling of an event during the Jewish Resistance in 1942. Karen Hesse gives us the point of view of a Jewish girl who is trying to conceal her identity and help smuggle food and supplies to citizens imprisoned in the ghetto. The illustrations and lyrical words help readers recognize the power and beauty of determination in the face of intolerable cruelty. Young readers may need some assistance in understanding the history of this time period, and Hesse provides additional information at the end of the story.
Reviewed by Robin Hosemann
Moon Over Manifest
By Clare Vanderpool
For twelve year old Abilene Tucker the word "home" has always meant wherever she and her dad were at that moment in their life on the road. The two of them together were "peas in a pod" traveling by train from town to town doing odd jobs and attending church services for a warm meal. When her father, Gideon suddenly sends Abilene away to a small town in Missouri called Manifest, Abilene is heartbroken. She makes the most of her time by finding out about the town's history, a history that supposedly holds some of her father's secrets, too. Taking place in the 1930's, this is a story of secrets, community and friendship in hard times. A very beautifully written novel. I highly recommend this book.
Suggested Grade Level:5-8
Reading Level: 5.3
Reviewed by Lorisa Harvey
The Book Thief
by Marcus Zusak
In this amazing novel, the story of Liesel Meminger, the book thief, is told by kind and caring Death. Unable to care for Liesel and her brother, their mother gives them to a foster family living in Molching, Germany during World War II. By this time, Liesel has stolen her first book The Gravedigger's Handbook after her brother died and was buried. Ironically, Liesel cannot read but spends many late night hours unable to overcome nightmares of her brother's death with her foster father, Hans, learning to read. The life of Liesel is shaped by her neighborhood friend, Rudy, a young Jewish man in hiding, and her foster mother and father all while adding to her collection of stolen books. As the Nazis make their way to Molching, the Book Thief is forced to deal with the world around her. Powerful!
Interest level: Young Adult
Reading level: Lexile 730
Reviewed by Lesley Hermann
The Green Glass Sea
By Ellen Klages
Interest Level: 6-9
Grade Level: 4.5
Dewey is a young girl on the verge of adolescence, but she also happens to be the daughter of a mathematician working at the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico in 1943. When he is called away overseas, she must move in with another scientist who has a daughter who is the same age. The girls could not be more opposite of one another. Dewey is interested in math and science while Suze is interested in art and fashion. The two navigate their developing friendship against the backdrop of World War II while their parents work on a top secret project that will ultimately impact the entire world. Readers will gain great insight into the popular culture of the 1940's through Klages careful research, and they will leave this book knowing a great deal more about the events of World War II that forever changed our world.
Reviewed by Robin Hosemann