Historical Fiction
Made up people and situations in an accurate time period
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Coming on Home Soon
By: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by: E.B. Lewis
Ada Ruth is a little girl whose mother had to go to Chicago during the war to find work. She missed her mother terribly while she was gone. Ada Ruth wrote letters to her mother, but didn’t get one back for a while. She wanted her daughter to know she’d be home soon enough, and that made Ada Ruth feel
better.
By: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by: E.B. Lewis
Ada Ruth is a little girl whose mother had to go to Chicago during the war to find work. She missed her mother terribly while she was gone. Ada Ruth wrote letters to her mother, but didn’t get one back for a while. She wanted her daughter to know she’d be home soon enough, and that made Ada Ruth feel
better.
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Boxes for Katje
By: Candace Fleming
Illustrated by: Stacey Dressen-McQueen
Katjie was a little girl that lived in Holland. One day, she received a
packed from the United States. Holland was still recovering from the war, and their resources were limited. Katjie got things like chocolate and soap in her box. Along with these items, she got a note from the girl who sent them to her. Katjie was so overjoyed that she wanted to thank this girl, Rosie, for what she had given to her. Rosie kept sending Katjie packages, and people from all over her area were helping out. This helped a lot of people in Holland with their hardships. At the end, Katjie sent Rosie a package in return.
By: Candace Fleming
Illustrated by: Stacey Dressen-McQueen
Katjie was a little girl that lived in Holland. One day, she received a
packed from the United States. Holland was still recovering from the war, and their resources were limited. Katjie got things like chocolate and soap in her box. Along with these items, she got a note from the girl who sent them to her. Katjie was so overjoyed that she wanted to thank this girl, Rosie, for what she had given to her. Rosie kept sending Katjie packages, and people from all over her area were helping out. This helped a lot of people in Holland with their hardships. At the end, Katjie sent Rosie a package in return.
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Freedom
Summer
By: Deborah Wiles
Illustrated by: Jerome Lagarrigue
John Henry Waddell was the narrator’s friend; he was also an African American with a mother named Annie Mae. Throughout the story, there are a variety of things that John Henry couldn’t do with his friend because of his race, such as going to Mr. Mason’s General Store. At one point, it was announced that a law was passed that allowed African Americans more freedom. One of these things was to be able to go to the same pool as other races. Caucasians resisted African Americans attending the pool, and the narrator suggested that he and John Henry leave. John Henry was upset though because he wanted to have the same freedoms that his friend did. They decided to go to the general store together to get some pops, but instead of John Henry waiting outside, he went in.
This book gives the reader an idea of what it may have been like for friends of different races back in a time when prejudice was much higher than it is today. It also gives them a sense of how far the nation has come in history. It’s encouraging, as John Henry was brave enough to enter a store that he was never allowed to go into because of his race; he was breaking barriers. These boys had a lot in common and didn’t worry much about the fact that their skin colors were different; they just liked to be around each other.
By: Deborah Wiles
Illustrated by: Jerome Lagarrigue
John Henry Waddell was the narrator’s friend; he was also an African American with a mother named Annie Mae. Throughout the story, there are a variety of things that John Henry couldn’t do with his friend because of his race, such as going to Mr. Mason’s General Store. At one point, it was announced that a law was passed that allowed African Americans more freedom. One of these things was to be able to go to the same pool as other races. Caucasians resisted African Americans attending the pool, and the narrator suggested that he and John Henry leave. John Henry was upset though because he wanted to have the same freedoms that his friend did. They decided to go to the general store together to get some pops, but instead of John Henry waiting outside, he went in.
This book gives the reader an idea of what it may have been like for friends of different races back in a time when prejudice was much higher than it is today. It also gives them a sense of how far the nation has come in history. It’s encouraging, as John Henry was brave enough to enter a store that he was never allowed to go into because of his race; he was breaking barriers. These boys had a lot in common and didn’t worry much about the fact that their skin colors were different; they just liked to be around each other.
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Number of the Stars
By: Lois Lowry
Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen were friends; these two little girls, who lived in Denmark, were struggling with the lack of resources and other hardships during the war. The Rosen family was Jewish, thus, they were living in fear of the Nazis. After barely escaping a Nazi raid at the Johansens', since they were hiding Ellen, Annemarie's mother decided it was time to take them to her brother, Henrik's, home. They were going to help the Rosen family, among others, escape the country. One member of the group was given an important package to take to Henrik. The man had left it behind though, and it was up to Annemarie to take it to him. She almost got caught along the way. Luckily, she made it to her uncle, and the group was able to escape safely.
By: Lois Lowry
Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen were friends; these two little girls, who lived in Denmark, were struggling with the lack of resources and other hardships during the war. The Rosen family was Jewish, thus, they were living in fear of the Nazis. After barely escaping a Nazi raid at the Johansens', since they were hiding Ellen, Annemarie's mother decided it was time to take them to her brother, Henrik's, home. They were going to help the Rosen family, among others, escape the country. One member of the group was given an important package to take to Henrik. The man had left it behind though, and it was up to Annemarie to take it to him. She almost got caught along the way. Luckily, she made it to her uncle, and the group was able to escape safely.
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One Candle
By: Even Bunting
Illustrated by: K. Wendy Popp
The family in this story celebrates Hanukkah. At the dinner table, the grandmother tells the family of the Holocaust and her and her sisters' experience in a concentration camp. They were young girls at the time. The grandmother tells them that for Hanukkah, she stole margarine and a potato from the camp. Some of it was for them to eat, but she made the rest into a Hanukkah candle that gave the people in the camp hope. That is why she makes a candle out of a potato every year.
By: Even Bunting
Illustrated by: K. Wendy Popp
The family in this story celebrates Hanukkah. At the dinner table, the grandmother tells the family of the Holocaust and her and her sisters' experience in a concentration camp. They were young girls at the time. The grandmother tells them that for Hanukkah, she stole margarine and a potato from the camp. Some of it was for them to eat, but she made the rest into a Hanukkah candle that gave the people in the camp hope. That is why she makes a candle out of a potato every year.
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Pink and Say
By: Patricia Polacco
Rosa was Sheldon Russell Curtis' daughter. She retold her father's story of when he was 15 and in the war in Georgia. He was shot in the leg trying to run away from his group, and he wanted to go home to Ohio. An African American boy came to help him and carried him because he couldn't walk correctly. The boy's name was Pinkus Aylee. He then took Sheldon to his mom's house. Pinkus' mother's name was Moe Moe Bay. She lived alone because Pinkus' dad went to fight, and everyone else ran to safety. Pinkus said they had to get back to war because his mom wasn't safe with them there. Sheldon told him to call him Say, and Pinkus told Say to call him Pink. Pink and his mother were slaves. They were about to leave and go back to war when marauders came. The two boys went to the basement while Moe Moe Bay went outside and got shot. When they left, Confederates caught up to them and found out that they were fighting for the Union because of Say's accent. Pink and Say became their prisoners and were shipped to Andersonville. Say got out, got married, and had seven kids. He died in 1924. Pink was hanged in Andersonville. This story was passed down through the generations to Patricia Polacco.
This story not only full of historical information, but it's also attached to real people who suffered through a time of war. Children, as well as parents, may be able to relate to similar things that have happened in their families.
By: Patricia Polacco
Rosa was Sheldon Russell Curtis' daughter. She retold her father's story of when he was 15 and in the war in Georgia. He was shot in the leg trying to run away from his group, and he wanted to go home to Ohio. An African American boy came to help him and carried him because he couldn't walk correctly. The boy's name was Pinkus Aylee. He then took Sheldon to his mom's house. Pinkus' mother's name was Moe Moe Bay. She lived alone because Pinkus' dad went to fight, and everyone else ran to safety. Pinkus said they had to get back to war because his mom wasn't safe with them there. Sheldon told him to call him Say, and Pinkus told Say to call him Pink. Pink and his mother were slaves. They were about to leave and go back to war when marauders came. The two boys went to the basement while Moe Moe Bay went outside and got shot. When they left, Confederates caught up to them and found out that they were fighting for the Union because of Say's accent. Pink and Say became their prisoners and were shipped to Andersonville. Say got out, got married, and had seven kids. He died in 1924. Pink was hanged in Andersonville. This story was passed down through the generations to Patricia Polacco.
This story not only full of historical information, but it's also attached to real people who suffered through a time of war. Children, as well as parents, may be able to relate to similar things that have happened in their families.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/0/26104123/1650891.png)
Sarah,
Plain and Tall
By: Patricia MacLachlan
Caleb and Anna were siblings, and their mother died the day after Caleb was born, so they lived on the prairie with their father, Jacob Witting. Their father announced that he was looking for a new wife. He got a letter from Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton, who said she’d be willing to come and be his wife. She lived next to the sea in Maine, and had a cat named Seal. Sara eventually came, and they did many things together, like sliding down their hay dune. Matthew and Maggie were their neighbors; Maggie was from Tennessee and was in the same situation as Sarah before. She asked Sarah how she was feeling, and Sarah said there were many things she missed. Maggie brought plants, so Sarah could have a garden. The kids were worried that Sara would leave, and Caleb was always thinking of ways to make her stay. Once she learned how to ride a horse and a wagon, the kids were afraid that if she went to town by herself, she’d never come back. Caleb started making excuses for why she was leaving. Sarah did come back from town, and when the kids told her their worries, she said she’d miss them if she left. Sara and Jacob were going to get married.
One of the things that can be taken from this book are not to overthink and worry about things so much because they can cause unnecessary stress. Another one is that it’s okay to miss an old life after you move, but there will always be new things to try and new adventures to have. Although it may seem unusual for a thing to happen to many families now, it still broadens the readers mind to such things that may have happened in the past.
By: Patricia MacLachlan
Caleb and Anna were siblings, and their mother died the day after Caleb was born, so they lived on the prairie with their father, Jacob Witting. Their father announced that he was looking for a new wife. He got a letter from Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton, who said she’d be willing to come and be his wife. She lived next to the sea in Maine, and had a cat named Seal. Sara eventually came, and they did many things together, like sliding down their hay dune. Matthew and Maggie were their neighbors; Maggie was from Tennessee and was in the same situation as Sarah before. She asked Sarah how she was feeling, and Sarah said there were many things she missed. Maggie brought plants, so Sarah could have a garden. The kids were worried that Sara would leave, and Caleb was always thinking of ways to make her stay. Once she learned how to ride a horse and a wagon, the kids were afraid that if she went to town by herself, she’d never come back. Caleb started making excuses for why she was leaving. Sarah did come back from town, and when the kids told her their worries, she said she’d miss them if she left. Sara and Jacob were going to get married.
One of the things that can be taken from this book are not to overthink and worry about things so much because they can cause unnecessary stress. Another one is that it’s okay to miss an old life after you move, but there will always be new things to try and new adventures to have. Although it may seem unusual for a thing to happen to many families now, it still broadens the readers mind to such things that may have happened in the past.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/0/26104123/8068998.png)
The Butterfly
By: Patricia Polacco
Monique was a little girl, living in an area run by Nazis. She noticed that a girl has been in her room in night, and thought she was a ghost. The "ghost" was a girl named Sevrine, and she was living in Monique's house. The two girls would hang out in Monique's room. One day, a neighbor saw them together; this led to the mother telling them that they all needed to leave. Despite the terrifying journey, Sevrine and her family made it out of the country.
By: Patricia Polacco
Monique was a little girl, living in an area run by Nazis. She noticed that a girl has been in her room in night, and thought she was a ghost. The "ghost" was a girl named Sevrine, and she was living in Monique's house. The two girls would hang out in Monique's room. One day, a neighbor saw them together; this led to the mother telling them that they all needed to leave. Despite the terrifying journey, Sevrine and her family made it out of the country.
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The Memory Coat
By: Elvira Woodruff
Illustrated by: Michael Dooling
Grisha was living with his cousin, Rachel, and her family in Russia because he was an orphan. Much of the population consisted of Jewish people. Grisha had an old coat that he wouldn't get rid of because his mother had made it for him before she passed away. Soon, the Cossacks killed the Jewish people in their area, which caused Rachel's family to decide to go to America. Their first stop in America was Ellis Island. In line Grisha fell and hurt his eye, leaving a mark. During inspection, he was marked with a letter E, but the rest of his family didn't get them. They didn’t want him to get sent back to Russia, so in their panic, they had him turn his coat inside-out. His coat then looked clean (and the E wasn’t seen), they and put him back in line to be rechecked. He made it through with his family.
This story is an interesting story about a family who is trying to escape issues in their own country in hopes of a better life somewhere else. This may very well be a reality familiar to many families and children. Coming to a new place can be especially hard on younger children, and getting sent away from America at Ellis Island could be a harsh reality.
By: Elvira Woodruff
Illustrated by: Michael Dooling
Grisha was living with his cousin, Rachel, and her family in Russia because he was an orphan. Much of the population consisted of Jewish people. Grisha had an old coat that he wouldn't get rid of because his mother had made it for him before she passed away. Soon, the Cossacks killed the Jewish people in their area, which caused Rachel's family to decide to go to America. Their first stop in America was Ellis Island. In line Grisha fell and hurt his eye, leaving a mark. During inspection, he was marked with a letter E, but the rest of his family didn't get them. They didn’t want him to get sent back to Russia, so in their panic, they had him turn his coat inside-out. His coat then looked clean (and the E wasn’t seen), they and put him back in line to be rechecked. He made it through with his family.
This story is an interesting story about a family who is trying to escape issues in their own country in hopes of a better life somewhere else. This may very well be a reality familiar to many families and children. Coming to a new place can be especially hard on younger children, and getting sent away from America at Ellis Island could be a harsh reality.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/0/26104123/8456607.png?196)
Train
to Somewhere
By: Eve Bunting
Illustrated by: Ronald Hilmer
Homeless children from NYC were sent on the Orphan Train to new homes. Fourteen children were on this particular train, and the narrator was a young girl named Marianne. Nora, another orphan girl, and Marianne planned to lie and say they’re sisters, so they’d get adopted together. When they got to the stops, Marianne hoped that her mother would be waiting to pick her up. Her mom wasn’t at the first stop, and she convinced herself that she was at another one. Nora got adopted without her. Each time the children reloaded onto the train to go to another stop, less children got on. At later stops, people started to get angry that they had very few children to choose from. Marianne decided that no one wanted her, not even her own mother. At the final stop, only one couple appeared, and Marianne was the last child to be adopted. Mr. and Mrs. Book were older, and they gave Marianne a train (they had hoped she was a boy). The woman told her that even if you get the things you don’t really want, they can end up being better than you want.
This teaches a very valuable lesson: even if one thinks they’re settling on something, there’s always hope that it will turn out great. Also, it teaches the reader that everyone should make the best of every situation, even if it feels hopeless.
By: Eve Bunting
Illustrated by: Ronald Hilmer
Homeless children from NYC were sent on the Orphan Train to new homes. Fourteen children were on this particular train, and the narrator was a young girl named Marianne. Nora, another orphan girl, and Marianne planned to lie and say they’re sisters, so they’d get adopted together. When they got to the stops, Marianne hoped that her mother would be waiting to pick her up. Her mom wasn’t at the first stop, and she convinced herself that she was at another one. Nora got adopted without her. Each time the children reloaded onto the train to go to another stop, less children got on. At later stops, people started to get angry that they had very few children to choose from. Marianne decided that no one wanted her, not even her own mother. At the final stop, only one couple appeared, and Marianne was the last child to be adopted. Mr. and Mrs. Book were older, and they gave Marianne a train (they had hoped she was a boy). The woman told her that even if you get the things you don’t really want, they can end up being better than you want.
This teaches a very valuable lesson: even if one thinks they’re settling on something, there’s always hope that it will turn out great. Also, it teaches the reader that everyone should make the best of every situation, even if it feels hopeless.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/0/26104123/1665853.png?125)
White Socks Only
By: Evelyn Coleman
Illustrated by: Tyrone Geter
A grandmother told her granddaughter about the time she was a young girl and went into town to fry an egg on the hot ground. Since it was so hot, she was thirsty; the girl's grandmother had wanted a drink from a water fountain that had a "Whites Only" sign on it. She assumed that meant that she had to take off her shoes and wear her white socks on the stool to reach the fountain. A man was going to hit her for doing this, but then other people took off their shoes and went to drink from the fountain. Then, the Chicken Man, an African American man who was thought to turn bad people into chickens came to the fountain to drink. He stopped the violence, and later, the sign at the fountain was removed.
By: Evelyn Coleman
Illustrated by: Tyrone Geter
A grandmother told her granddaughter about the time she was a young girl and went into town to fry an egg on the hot ground. Since it was so hot, she was thirsty; the girl's grandmother had wanted a drink from a water fountain that had a "Whites Only" sign on it. She assumed that meant that she had to take off her shoes and wear her white socks on the stool to reach the fountain. A man was going to hit her for doing this, but then other people took off their shoes and went to drink from the fountain. Then, the Chicken Man, an African American man who was thought to turn bad people into chickens came to the fountain to drink. He stopped the violence, and later, the sign at the fountain was removed.