Writing: Historical Fiction

Learn more about the genre of historical fiction. There are definitions and listings of recommended children’s books, plus lesson plans and classroom activities. Includes links to eThemes Resources on various historical fiction books.

Grades

Links

ABC Teach: Book Genre Labels: This site has book labels with the names of different genres that you can print out and have students use. Having students label a book may help familiarize them with the different types of genres.
ABC Teach: Graphing: Print out this page and have students make a chart of the number of books they have read in the different types of genres.
Scholastic: Why & How I Teach with Historical Fiction: This site offers tips for teaching social studies by using historical fiction.
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People: This 16-page pdf has a listing of recommended historical fiction books and biographies for students in grades K-12.
Quia: Literary Forms: Try this interactive worksheet about literary forms.
eThemes Resource: Literature: "Dear America: Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie" by Kristiana Gregory: These sites are about the book “Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie” and corresponding classroom activities.
eThemes Resource: Literature: "Dear America: Christmas After All" by Kathryn Lasky: These sites have lessons and activities for this “Dear America” book, plus biographies about author Kathryn Lasky. Includes information about the people and activities that were popular during the Great Depression.
eThemes Resource: Literature: "Sarah, Plain and Tall" and "Skylark" by Patricia Maclachlan: These sites have activities and discussion questions about “Sarah, Plain and Tall” and its sequel, “Skylark.” Also includes information about author Patricia Maclachlan, the state of Maine, and life on the prairie.
eThemes Resource: Literature: "Sign of The Beaver" by Elizabeth George Speare: These sites include book reviews, author information, and sample activities to go along with the book. Learn about Native Americans in Maine. There are also online games and quizzes.
eThemes Resource: Literature: "And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?" by Jean Fritz: These sites are about the book “And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?” by Jean Fritz. Includes activities to go along with a study of the American Revolution.
eThemes Resource: Literature: "Dear America Book: West to a Land of Plenty" by Jim Murphy: These sites are about the book “West to a Land of Plenty” that chronicles an Italian immigrant family’s journey west. Also has information about author Jim Murphy.
eThemes Resource: Literature: "Dear America" and "My Name is America" Civil War Books: These sites have discussion guides and activities for two books: “Dear America: When Will This Cruel War Be Over? The Civil War Diary of Emma Simpson” and “The Journal of James Edmond Pease: A Civil War Union Soldier.” There is also information about the authors and about daily life in a Civil War camp. Topics include food, entertainment, and the importance of letter writing.