Travel back in time to other places with Historical Fiction
By Erika Kosin

These days, the term historical fiction is not as taboo amongst children, especially girls, due to the popularity of historical fiction series such as American Girls and Dear America. Many youngsters who found a love of these stories set in different time periods usually develop an appreciation for historical fiction that carries through into their late teens. What these lucky few find out is that there are many wonderful stories out there that can be found in history and historical fiction is a great place to start.

Many 4th through 8th grade students, however, will answer with a resounding no when asked if they like historical fiction. On the other hand, if you ask them if they would like to read a book about a boy living on Alcatraz with Al Capone as in Al Capone Does My Shirts, or the book Blue about a girl living in North Carolina during the Polio outbreak, they might be slightly more interested. While the authors of these works may have spent months or years conducting historical research in order to accurately set the time and place, the experiences of the characters have to resonate with the youth of today in order to peak their interest. Some interesting stories that can be found at the Rowan Public Library include:

Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle – On the beaches of Newport, RI in 1929, Reuben Hart and his best friend Jeddy find a dead body washed up along the shore. They are certain the man is a bootlegger, trying to smuggle liquor onto shore. Suddenly the two are engrossed in the illegal activities happening in their town and when they meet the charismatic captain of the elusive Black Duck, the legendary rum-running boat that worked off of the coast of New England during the time of prohibition, find they are in too deep.

Historical House Series by various authors – This set of six books takes a look at 6 different girls who all lived at No. 6 Chelsea Walk, England during the years 1764, 1857, 1895, 1914, 1941 and 1969. While each twelve-year-old girl has very different experiences tied to the time-period they grew up in, the house, starting as a girl’s school in 1764 and becoming an apartment building by 1914, and the town they live in also accurately portrays the changes in time. This series are for those who like the American Girls series.

Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik – Set in Paris, this award winning book takes place in 1931 Paris, as 12-year old Hugo lives in the walls of the train station making sure the clocks are running on time. When he befriends a young girl and her grandfather, a toy maker, he is taken on a journey of self-discovery and science as he unravels the mystery of the automated man that his father left behind. Told through both text and illustrations even reluctant readers may find this one interesting.

Nory Ryans Song by Patricia Reilly Giff – The Irish potato famine that began in 1845 was caused by a blight that attacked the potato crops. When 12-year old Nory Ryan wakes up to the foul smell of rotting potatoes, she can’t shake the works of her Grandmother, that without the potato crop they would all starve. As hunger quickly sets in, Nory refuses to give up and uses her new found strength to try to save her family as her community falls apart as they dream of moving to America where no one goes hungry.