Chapter 8: Historical Fiction

Defining Historical Fiction

- Historical fiction tells stories of history as a distinct genre
o Not a biography (focuses on the life of a person)
o Not a nonfiction (based on historical fact but uses facts to
recreate a time and place)
- Includes historical facts in a fictional story about people both real and
imagined
- Realistic (the events could have occurred and the people could have
lived)
- Set in the past
History of Historical Fiction
- The development of United States history has been documented
through Historical Fiction
o Many of the Newberry winners and Honor books were historical
fiction
o Scott Odell (Island of the Blue Dolphin) was amongst one of the
first writers to veer away from the traditionally white perspective
in writing, which portrayed a lot of racism and sexism, causing
some problems in history
o 1982 Scott Odell establish an award for Historical fiction to be
given to a US writer triggering interest in this specific genre
Considering Quality
- Historical Accuracy
o Historical fiction should be consistent with historical evidence
o Narrative events and characters attitudes and beliefs should be
appropriate with the time
o Story must remain within the limits of the chosen historical
background
- Setting
o Setting distinguishes this genre
o Must be authentic and consistent with historical and
geographical evidence
o Clear and vivid details to help a reader create mental images
- Characterization
o Characters should believe and behave in a manner that is in
keeping with times in which they live
- Plot and Theme
o History is filled with raw material for exciting plots and themes
o Events must be plausible
 - Style
o Language should be in keeping with the period and the place
Particularly the dialogue
- Illustrations
o Historically accurate
o Providing realistic details of life
Prehistoric and Ancient Times
- Prehistoric Times was a time before written history. Information was
gathered though scientific research and assumptions were made about
daily life and events based on this research
Middle Ages: 500 to 1500 A.D.
- Authors in this era blended Facts and fiction into stories crating stories
of King Arthurs life and many other Medieval stories. Many of the
stories were both a mixture of fact and legends
Renaissance and the Age of Exploration (This category catches the attention
of the reader interested in mysterious of dangerous explorations)
- Many books tell of the 1492 Christopher Columbus expedition, and
recently in 1992 on the 500th anniversary Many books were created but
in the perspective of the Native Americans
Colonial Through Post-Revolutionary War Times
- In the 16th century when immigrants were sailing to America, and
settings during the American Settlement era are captured in these
categories. Mystery and Adventure, heart ache and loss due to the
revolutionary war captures the audiences attention
Westward Expansion and the Civil War
- People can read about the journeys of families moving westward in the
1800s through this genre of Historical fiction. Stories of Cowboys and
Indians, Lewis and Clark, Slavery and the Civil war and everything in
between
Immigration and the Industrial Revolution
- This selection talks about recovering from the Civil War, Wild West
gunfights, a quieter more peaceful America, rich cities in the east.
Child labor and Presidents were introduced in this genre as well.
World War I and its aftermath
 - There are few books that were written during WW1. It was a very
emotional time for America and was hard to write about the war
without bringing death into the stories and making them sad
The Great Depression
- In the early to mid-1900 the world went through a very rough time.
Business shut down, it seemed as if most of America and European
countries were at their lowest poverty levels. Literature from this era is
filled with struggle, illness, and severe poverty, and how families pull
together to make the best of a bad situation.
Word War II and its aftermath
- This era in historical fiction focuses a lot on Europe and Asian countries
(and a few stories that feature Guam.) Many of the stories feature the
same time frame, but from different regions, like Europe, Japan and
America
The 1950s through 1980s: Political and Social Turmoil
- This genre focus much of its historical fiction on the Vietnam, Civil
Rights movements, Broadway, and rock music helped place the setting
in many books
Historical Fiction in the Classroom
- Inform students of the worlds history in a fun way
o Give them insight on what its like living in a world without
technology, cars, modern communication, and etc.
- Helps students understand their place in history and how they can
shape their tomorrows
- History becomes real and important when introduced through inspiring
stories