Education Resource Area: Historical Fiction

Inspired by real events, master storyteller Eve Bunting recounts the harrowing yet hopeful story of a family, a war--and a dazzling discovery.

Violet's older sister Chloe didn't get married. She bought a car instead. And then she drove that car to New York City and never came home again. Violet's parents said Chloe had turned into the Wrong Sort of Person, but Violet knew better. Now she's determined to find her sister, and she'll go all the way to New York City to do it.

This year, as in other years, Lily has planned a spectacular summer in Rockaway, in her family's cozy house on stilts over the Atlantic Ocean. But by the summer of 1944, World War II has changed almost everyone's life.

Nazi-occupied Warsaw of World War and tells a tale of heartbreak, hope, and survival through the bright eyes of a young orphan.

This warmly engaging story--inspired by the Rwandering footS quilt pattern that was popular during pioneer days--is the moving account of an early American girl who chronicles her family's journey on the Oregon Trail through the quilt she's making.

An orphaned Syrian brown bear cub is adopted by Polish soldiers during World War II and serves for five years as their mischievous mascot in Iran and Italy. Based on a true story.

The siege of Troy has lasted almost ten years. Inside the walled city, food is scarce and death is common. From the heights of Mount Olympus, the Gods keep watch. But Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, is bored with the endless, dreary war. Aided by Eros's bow, the goddess sends two sisters down a bloody path to an awful truth: In the fury of war, love strikes the deadliest blows.

A young girl's courage is tested in this haunting, wordless story. When a farm girl discovers a runaway slave hiding in the barn, she is at once startled and frightened. But the stranger's fearful eyes weigh upon her conscience, and she must make a difficult choice. Will she have the courage to help him?

Winner of the 2011 Newbery Award.

This ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book and "Booklist" Editors' Choice is an ingenious historical fiction picture book about the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It's a tale of two boys who get themselves into more trouble than bear cubs in a candy store. The year is 1816. Abe is only seven years old, and his pal, Austin, is ten. Abe and Austin decide to journey down to Knob Creek.

Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old in 1899 when she wonders why the yellow grasshoppers in her Texas backyard are so much bigger than the green ones. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a 2010 Newbery Honor Book and the winner of the 2010 Bank Street - Josette Frank Award.

Eleven-year-old Nellie Lee Love records in her diary the events of 1919, when her family moves from Tennessee to Chicago, hoping to leave the racism and hatred of the South behind.

Ada Ruth's mama must go away to Chicago to work, leaving Ada Ruth and Grandma behind. It's war time, and women are needed to fill the men's jobs. As winter sets in, Ada Ruth and her grandma keep up their daily routine, missing Mama all the time. They find strength in each other, and a stray kitten even arrives one day to keep them company, but nothing can fill the hole Mama left. Every day they wait, watching for the letter that says Mama will be coming on home soon. Set during World War II, Coming On Home Soon has a timeless quality that will appeal to all who wait and hope.

John Henry swims better than anyone I know. He crawls like a catfish, blows bubbles like a swamp monster, but he doesn't swim in the town pool with me.

Inspired by the diaries of her great-aunt, the real May Amelia, first-time novelist Jennifer Holm has given us a beautifully crafted tale of one young girl whose unique spirit captures the courage, humor, passion and depth of the American pioneer experience.

A collaboration of over 100 authors and illustrators as they tell the story of American history through the comings and goings of the White House.

It's 1859, and Clotee, a twelve-year-old slave, has the most wonderful, terrible secret. She knows that if she shares it with the wrong person, she will face unimaginable consequences. What is her secret? While doing her job of fanning her master's son during his lessons, Clotee has taught herself to read and write. But the tutor, Ely Harms, has a secret of his own.

As the United States in on the brink of entering World War I, young Kathleen Kat Bowen begins recording the activities of the women's suffrage movement occurring in Washington, D.C., in 1917.

A powerful tale of war, redemption, and a hero's journey--now available in paperback! In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

2013 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award

Winner of the 2018 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award 2017

Winner of the 2016 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

2015 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

2014 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

2013 Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction,

Dead End in Norvelt is the winner of the 2012 Newbery Medal for the year's best contribution to children's literature and the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction!