Historical Fiction

Criteria for Quality Selection
A literary genre in which the story takes place in a setting in the past. The most important criterion to consider when selecting a historical fiction text is the appropriateness of the text. The text should relate to concepts that are being discussed in the class. This way students can make connections between the text and what they are talking about in class. The second criterion to look for when selecting this text is organization. The text needs to be clearly organized so students understand the purpose of the text.

Use in the Classroom
I would incorporate this text into my classroom when we are learning about important historical events in the classroom. Exposing students to this genre will expose them to all the different historical events that have been passed from generation to generation. I will use historical fiction in my classroom for shared reading and read aloud. I will also have a wide variety of these text available in my classroom library for students to refer to on their own time.

Award Links:
http://www.langumtrust.org/histlit.html
https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-historical-fiction-books-2014

Text and Author Links:
http://www.jessieburton.co.uk
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/

General Genre Links:
http://fmwriters.com/Visionback/Issue34/historicalfic.htm
https://historicalnovelsociety.org/guides/defining-the-genre/defining-the-genre-what-are-the-rules-for-historical-fiction/

Teaching Ideas for Students:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/why-and-how-i-teach-historical-fiction
http://www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/readingliterature/genres/historical/historicalfiction.htm

Moses
Weatherford, C., & Nelson, K. (2006). Moses: When Harriet Tubman led her people to freedom. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Reference Information for Accessing the Text:
ISBN: 978-078685175

Complex Text Level:
3rd & 4th grade

Grade Level Span Reading Aloud:
2nd & 3rd grade

Major Themes:

• Freedom
• Bravery

Worthy Qualities of Writing

• Illustrations directly correlate with the text
• Received the Caldecott award 
• Explains Harriet Tubman's journey to free the slaves

Connections to Authentic Local, National, and Global Issues

• Growing up in a difficult time

Difficulties for Students

• Students will need to understand the underground railroad movement
• Understanding Harriet Tubman 

Support Needed

• Understand the underground railroad movement
• Pre-teaching of Harriet Tubman
• Pre-teaching of complex vocabulary words 

The Book Thief
Zusak, M. (2006). The Book Thief: I Am The Messenger:. New York, New York: Random House Children's Books.

Reference Information for Accessing the Text:
ISBN: 978-0-375-84220-7


Complex Text Level
5th & 6th grade

Grade Level Span Reading Aloud
4th & 5th grade

Major Themes

• World War II
• Concentration Camps

Worthy Qualities of Writing:

• Chapters are not too long
• Vivid details to help students visualize what is happening in the text
• The connection to real life events

Connections to Authentic Local, National, and Global Issues

• Concentration Camps
• Growing up during a difficult time

Difficulties for Students

• The story line of the text can be hard to follow at first
• Takes place in a different country students may have a hard time understand the geographic locations

Support Needed

• Understanding of what the WWII was
• Understanding of complex vocabulary words