Forms+of+Historical+Fiction

What forms might historical fiction take (such as diaries, letters, novels)?
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Added by Megan Historical fiction can be found in a variety of formats. In addition to the novel, historical fiction can be found in diaries, letters, and even graphic novels. Historical fiction is important because it makes the past come to life for the reader. It can be told from the first person point of view, allowing the reader to really think about and feel for the characters of the time. It can also be told from the third person point of view, sometimes through the eyes of an animal or object. One novel in the historical fiction genre is //Nory Ryan’s Song// by Patricia Reilly Giff. This story tells about the potato famine in Ireland back in the 1800’s. The story is told from the voice of 12 year old Nory. Another popular historical fiction novel is //Number the Stars// by Lois Lowry. This story about a girl and her family who smuggle Jews out of Nazi territory into safety is also told from the voice of a child. Both of these books are heart wrenching novels that deal with historic events. However, told through the voice of young girls, they become even more meaningful and powerful to readers. Historic fiction can also be in the format of a diary or journal. The //Dear America Series// are diaries based on historic events. //So Far From Home, the Diary of Mary Driscoll, an Irish Mill Girl// is set in Lowell, MA. The book chronicles Mary’s trip from County Cork Island to America, and her life at the mill. Set in the form of a diary, the book is an easy read, even for the most reluctant readers. Reading historical fiction in the diary form makes the reader feel like she’s sharing the day to day routine of the writer. //Letters from Rifka// by Karen Hesse is about a 12 year old girl trying to flee Ukraine to come to America. She outwits Russian soldiers to help her family get into Poland. Once in Poland, the family gets typhus. They all recover but Rifka ends up with ringworm. Her family leaves on the voyage, and Rifka is left in Belgium to recuperate. Once Rifka finally reaches Ellis Island, she is detained until the authorities can verify she’s healthy. The ringworm left her bald and the authorities fear she will be a burden to society. Rifka’s letters to her Russian cousin are squeezed onto the margins and blank pages of a book of Russian poetry. Finally, I even found a graphic novel that portrays historical fiction. //The Salem Witch Trials// by Michael Martin is a graphic novel that tells about the trials and the key figures involved. This format that features easy to read text and illustrations that jump out at the reader might encourage reluctant readers to explore further. Other graphic historic fiction novels include: //The Boston Tea Party// by Matt Doeden, //The Boston Massacre// by Michael Burgan, and //Paul Revere’s Ride// by Xavier Niz. As I have pointed out above, historical fiction can take the form of a novel, diary or journal, letter, or graphic novel. Whatever the format, historical fiction gives readers the opportunity to experience history.

References Denenberg, Barry. //So Far from Home: The Diary of Mary Driscoll, an Irish Mill Girl, Lowell, Massachusetts, 1847//. New York: Scholastic, 2003. Giff, Patricia Reilly. //Nory Ryan's Song//. New York: Delacorte, 2000. Hesse, Karen. //Letters from Rifka//. New York: Square Fish, 2009. Lowry, Lois. //Number the Stars//. New York: Laurel Leaf, 1998. Martin, Michael. //The Salem Witch Trials//. MN: Capstone, 2005. Mia’s PPT

Kathi's Addition:

=Historical fiction is a blend of fact and imagination and is found in various formats. These formats include letters, memoirs, novels, diaries, and graphic novels. Some authors do extensive research before writing their stories while others use their own experience and memories to capture their readers' attention. //The American Girl// series are quite popular amongst elemenatary school girls while many boys enjoy reading //Johnny Tremain// in middle school. One of my favorite historical fiction stories is //The Sacrifice// by Kathleen Benner Duble//.// Students in grades four through eight will enjoy this book. It tells the story of the struggles encountered by the Faulkner family during the late 1600’s during the Salem Witch hysteria. The author describes what accusations her own family faced as they lived through this period. I found it interesting to learn that more people were accused of witchery in Andover, Massachusetts than were accused in Salem, Massachusetts. I read this story to my fourth graders last year and they were so interested in the story that they didn’t want to leave when their class period was over. I also had a chance to meet the author and was thrilled to find out that she is working on making a movie about it. = = Another great historical fiction book is Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving which was written by Joseph Bruchac. Students aged six through nine will love this story. It describes the story of the first Thanksgiving through the eyes and voice of a Patuxet man called Squanto. He tells the tale of how he was captured along with others and taken to Spain to be sold as slaves. He escapes to England with the help from some friars but he wanted to go back home. He returns home to find that disease has killed family and friends. Although he suffers a tremendous loss he helps the British settlers survive. He thinks they can all live as friends and share the land. This is a nice read aloud for elementary students. They will enjoy the story and colorful illustrations as they learn about how this famous man helped the British settlers survive =