Historical Fiction 4 Review

Schlitz, L., & Byrd, R. (2007). Good masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a medieval village. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.

The setting for this book takes you back to 1255, during the Medieval Era, and is filled with various characters that capture the flavor of this age in time.  This story is rich with 22 characters such as the lord’s nephew, Hugo, who is forced to prove his manhood, or the singing shepherdess, Alice, and many more characters that portray historical accuracy.  It contains ample dialogues and monologues for these characters that the author used to fit the style of her book. Another important detail is, the illustration that vividly gives the reader a beautiful picture to fit the setting of this book.

Bartoletti, S. (2005). Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's shadow. New York: Scholastic Nonfiction.

 

Hitler Youth takes the most profound time in World History and is told in a whole new perspective. Telling the stories of various German youth, Bartoletti brings to light how these young children were manipulated to believe in the Nazi movement. Filled with characters like Herbert Norkus, a fifteen year old gives his life to this Nazi cause, which created a national day of commemoration declared by Hitler. Also, there's the portrayal of a young 14-year-old Sophie Scholl, who became deeply sensitive with the changes in the education system due to National Socialist ideas and the Nazi movement. Then there’s Karl Schnibbe a member of the Hitler Youth program and beginning to have a change of heart when he is told that physically and mentally disabled German’s were costing the government too much money. The photographs of the children and other events give the reader a definite picture attached to the horrific events that these young adults endured.

 

Curtis, C. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963. New York: 

 Delacorte Press.

In this novel a family known as the Watsons go back to their roots in Alabama at a more pristine time in America. At this time in the United States, southern states were still under a segregated civilization, which is not something the “Weird Watsons” were used to having growing up in Flint, Michigan.  For Kenny and his siblings, it becomes a hard adjustment, but brings to light that change is coming and is not going to be easy.  However, ten-year-old Kenny makes this incredible dark moment in Americas History into a world filled with entertaining characters. Depicted in this book are hilarious stories of his “juvenile delinquent” brother, Byron, little sister Joetta, his father Daniel, who makes every moment with family a memorable one by making fun of his mother Wilona, who is everything a good mother, should be. A wonderful book to can help young students learn about the Civil Rights Movement and the importance of family values.

 

  Nelson, K. (2008). We are the ship: The story of Negro League baseball. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children.

  

  This book is filled with stories of the up roar and down fall of the Negro League. Along with the detailed explanation of the league are the illustrations of player cards, and real time moments in time during the 1900’s.  Read about talented unknown players that made history, and read about famous players, like Jackie Robinson, and Josh Gibson. Enter a world filled with a love for baseball, and the struggles of segregation for the professional baseball league.  No matter what trials the league endured they never gave up on America’s pastime. Economy downfalls, hatred, horrible traveling conditions, are all stories from these unknown players of the game that can be found in this book and all it’s illustrations.

Annotations for 6 please!

Cleary, B., & Zelinsky, P. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York: Morrow.

Dear Mr. Henshaw is a contemporary realistic fiction novel that deals with a sense of self and family exploring. In this award-winning novel by author Beverly Cleary, the main character Leigh Botts begins writing to his favorite author, Boyd Henshaw, in the second grade and continues to write throughout most of his grade school years. Through his letters that later turn into a diary as recommended by Mr. Henshaw, Leigh Botts is able to vent on issues such as his parents divorce, having both parents continue their lives, and being the new kid in town. Through the characters and theme of this novel, the author is able to relate to children that might be facing similar issues in their lives, through the power of paper and pen. 

 

Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper is a contemporary realistic fiction novel that deals with coping with a life challenging disability for the main character, family, and friends. Draper’s style of this novel is unique in the sense of how it is written. The whole novel is told in a first person point of view from someone who cannot speak at all. This allows the audience to embrace the theme of this novel in much more depth. This theme defines disability in a completely different aspect. Giving the reader the idea that anyone, including someone with a disability, can accomplish the many things life has to offer. The main character, Melody Brooks, suffers from cerebral palsy, which challenges her in many ways. However, her most hated challenge is her inability to communicate. She struggles throughout her life, but does not let her disability stop her need to thrive in life.

Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York: Scholastic Press.

 

 

 

 

Rules by Cynthia Lord, is a contemporary realistic fiction novel that describes how a twelve-year-old girl deals with caring for her autistic brother. Lord characterizes the main character, Catherine, as the protagonist. This gives the reader the ability to see how she copes with certain hardships that come with caring for her brother, at the same time learning to create an identity for her. This is also distinguished by the style, where the novel is written in a first person point of view. This gives the reader the ability to emphasize with Catherine in depth throughout the novel. Peer pressure is one of the many life lessons that a young reader might relate to with Catherine. Catherine yearns to gain the friendship of, Kristi, the new girl in town, and at the same time she is attracted to a young man, Jason, who struggles with a disability. Catherine immediately sees that Kristi is very superficial, and allows herself to be embarrassed of Jason. Catherine soon realizes who her true friends really are.

 

Urban, L. (2007). A crooked kind of perfect. Orlando: Harcourt.

 

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban is a contemporary realistic fiction novel that is about a ten-year-old girl named Zoe Elias who becomes infatuated with the dream of becoming a world famous pianist. Written in first person point of view, gives you a deep look at Zoe’s despite need to become a piano player and how no one, not even the popular girl in school, will take that dream away. After Zoe sees a show about a famous piano player named Vladimir Horowitz, she decides that is what she wants to do in life. She discusses her dream with her parents and her father goes out and buys her an organ. Not a piano, but nonetheless, is able to begin her journey to a life in music. As she self teaches the theme songs to popular shows such as "Gilligan's Island" and "Green Acres" gives readers that the setting is taken from a more non-contemporary time.

Pastis, S. (2013). Timmy Failure. Somerville, Mass.: Candlewick Press.

 

Timmy Failure by Stephan Pastis is a hilarious contemporary realistic fiction novel. This novel is based on the very successful detective agency that is run by the main character, Timmy Failure an eleven-year-old, who proclaims to be the best detective agent in town. Pastis creates his character to have the will to be successful for all the right reasons, such as becoming rich enough to maintain himself and his mother. The theme however, brings to light some very realistic issues that some children today can relate to. Such as, struggling in school, name-calling, single parent struggles, and financial issues. 

Paterson, K., & Diamond, D. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia. New York, NY: Crowell.

 

Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson is a contemporary realistic novel that is based on adventure, self/family exploring, and friendship. Paterson creates Jess Aarons as the main character, whom is struggling with several identity crises. This eleven-year-old is struggling to figure out which identity is for him, what his family wants him to be, what his father or fellow classmates expects him to be. Another character Paterson creates is Leslie Burke who is the new kid in town and quickly becomes friends with Jess. Together they build a secret fantasy world where they are able to strengthen and build up their self esteem by supporting one another. This novel gives an abrupt twist when Leslie drowns and gives readers a connected life issue of death that Jess must deal with. A theme so fascinating that goes from realistic topics in daily lives, to fantasy adventure, and back to realistic issues.