Fab-4 Historical Fiction

Chapter 8 historical fiction

As the book puts it, historical fiction is neither fantasy nor non-fiction, but they are possible. “They usually occur in periods prior to the author even being born.” Sometimes the author writes about life experiences, however they are written in a fictional format. Historical fiction is often used in education because of its many benefits. According to Johnson; the author of The Joy of Children’s Literature, “When history is written in story form it is easier for students to understand historical time periods and events because the author creates a sense of realism.” In addition, there are many benefits of including historical fiction into teaching. These benefits include a sense of life as it was lived in the past, helps like the past and present and shows that they too can play a historical role.

            Along with the many stated benefits in the book there are many other teaching connections that the author has provided. Historical fiction is not only entertaining to students, bit it can also be used to teach different historical categories. While categories such as ancient, medieval and colonial times are usually covered through the textbook, they can be a lot more interesting for students if they are taught through other formats. Historical fiction can also be used to compare and contrast the vast amount of content that is covered. As a teacher, historical fiction can be used to help students compare and contrast their lives with young characters in historical fiction. This counteracts another downside to textbooks and the fact that most textbooks don’t even use younger historical figures.

Henry’s Freedom Box

By: Ellen Levine

Henry Brown was a slave who dreamed of freedom but dreaded the day that he would be torn apart from his family. Until one day it happened; Henry was sold to his master’s brother. There, Henry met his wife and started his own family, but still he feared that his family might too be torn

apart like he once was. When Henry’s wife and children are sold at the slave market Henry begins thinking about how he can become free. Then one day while working at the warehouse Henry sees a crate and gets an idea. He will ship himself to freedom. The story then follows Henry’s Journey to freedom in his freedom box.

Up the Learning Tree

By: Marcia Vaughan

A young enslaved boy living in the pre- civil war south, Henry Bell risks his life so that he can learn how to read. He attends school from up in a sycamore tree. From in the tree, Henry listens to the lessons and tries to make sense of letters and words. His determination and bravery lead him on a journey of discovery that changes his life forever.

Titanic Book Three S.O.S

By: Gordon Korman

This edition of the three part series called Titanic follows four younger children aboard the boat in its final stages. As the ship begins to sink, it is a race against time for the children who are not only trying to survive, but are also trying to piece together a mystery and nmask a killer before time runs out.