Historical Fiction Books

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Illustrator- Nancy Carpenter
2009
RL- 2.6
Imogene, a young little girl, did everything she could to save a historical house in her town. It was going to be smashed on Saturday for a shoelace company. Does Imogene and George Washington save the historical house?

Illustrator- John Holyfield
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
2006
RL- 2.4
Story based around an actual person, Bessie Smith, and events with the Klu Klux Klan. Bessie Smith is a singer performing one night in a tent when the Night Riders come to burn it down. It is a great story of a heroic woman who stands up for herself.

Illustrator- R.G. Roth
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
2010
RL- 2.3
This story is about a young boy named Brewster that is bused to a white school during school segregation. The story deals with racism, prejudice, anger, and hope.

Illustrator- Kadir Nelson
Publisher: Scholastic Press
2007
RL- 2.6
Henry grew up as a slave. When he got older, he married and had children. Until one day, the master sold his wife and children. Henry wanted to escape to freedom. He had and idea of being mailed to freedom. Find out more about Henry's Freedom Box.

Illustrator- Raul Colon
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
2010
RL- 2.8
A book about a young girl growing up in a family that worked hard for the Civil Rights Movement.

Illustrator- Cozbi Cabrera
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
2009
RL- 2.1
A very young girl is growing up in slavery. Her mother begins to make a quilt. The quilt symbolizes the child's freedom. The mother sends the girl to freedom and she stays back. The little girl is the "Most Loved in All the World."

Illustrator- Marsha Gray Carrington
Publisher: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books
2005
RL- 1.9
This is the story of how a young man and his dad saved the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. The Redcoats wanted the bell to melt down for cannons and bullets. They were able to hide the bell. It rang again on the day the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Illustrator- Josee Bisaillon
Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing
2010
RL- 3.1
This story is about a cat named Benno and how he sees the events of the Holocaust. It is a great way to start teaching young children about the Holocaust that took place during World War 2.

Publisher: Laurel Leaf
2005
RL- 5.8
This story is set during WWII when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. A Japanese-American boy and his family, living in Hawaii, lives get turned upside down. His father and grandfather is arrested and the rest of the family needs to deal with society's view of the Japanese Americans and the stereotypes the war has brought with it.

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
2011
RL- 5.1
Two young boys learn about the Civil War and the Battle of Antietam at their Grandmother's museusm. They learn a great deal about the sadness of war. The two boys are also meet and talk with Abraham Lincoln.

Publisher: Amistad
2010
RL- 5.0
This story combines the history behind the Civil Rights and Black Panthers with a a story of three young girls that go and visit their mother that left them when they were little. The mother does not welcome them warmly and sends them everyday to a center run by the Black Panthers. The girls learn about culture, identity, and responsibility in this moving novel.

Publisher: Philomel
2009
RL- 4.4
This is a very moving story about slavery. It begins with slaves being forced to witness the beating of a runaway slave. The family then runs themselves and makes it to Michigan. They are 'free' for four years until their owners finally find them. Are they able to escape them again with the love and help of the townspeople?

Illustrator- John Hendrix
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
2008
RL- 3.4
Who was Abe Lincoln's best friend as a child? Answer: Austin Gollaher. The book tells a story of Abe and Austin crossing a high river. Austin made it, but Abe fell in and Austin had to save him. Where would be today without Austin Gollaher?

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
2010
RL 5.3
A young girl is sent to live with a friend of her father's in a town he grew up in. It is during the time of the Great Depression and World War II. Some themes involved in this story include murders, orphans, bootlegging, and a mother in hiding. Through the story, the girl is able to unravel the mysteries of the town and her history.

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
2010
RL- 6.2
Set during the time of WWI and the Russian Revolution, Anastasia is the daughter of the Czar Nicholas II. The story details the events of the family and how they are taken prisoners and then are later murdered. There is an underlying love story of Anastasia and a soldier that tries to save them.

Publisher: Second Story Press
2006
RL- 6.7
This novel is based on the historical events of the Children's Crusade. It follows the crusade of three children from Europe to the Holy Land. The major theme of religion penetrates throughout the plot of the book.

Publisher: Square Fish
2008
RL- 6.9
This historical fiction novel is based on actual events in 1650. A young maid is hung for the murder or her stillbirth baby. However, as she is about to be dissected, the surgeon realizes that she is not dead. The novel has two storylines: one of the girl and how she got there and two. the surgeon's past.

Publisher: Running Press Kids
2009
RL- 6.0
This historical fiction novel portrays events during the Black Plague. An orphan girl, who looks like the King's daughter, is used as a princess double until the princess is killed. Nell is to take over the princess and marry a prince. Nell and her brother are on the run to escape this plan.

Publisher: Pinata Books
2008
RL- 6.7
This historical fiction novel is set back around the time of WWII. It is about a Mexican-American family living in Texas. Alejandro grows up during this time and learns about his culture and family.