Transcript Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction
LIS 510
Definition
Realistic Fiction set in a time remote
enough from the present to be considered
history.
Written in a time period in which the author
has not lived or
no more recently than one generation before
its composition or
20 years ago
Historical Fiction Characteristics
Historical facts blend with imaginary
characters & plot
Facts are
Actual historical events
Authentic period settings
Real historical figures
Forms of Historical Fiction
Most Common:
Main characters of the story are imaginary
Secondary characters may be actual historical figures
Actual historical events are imbedded
2nd Type:
Past described complete with social traditions, customs,
morals, & values of the period
No mention of actual historical events nor actual
historical figures as characters
3rd Type: Historical Fantasy
Historical story containing elements of fantasy
Time warps
Supernatural features/ghosts
1935
Back
Civil War
1960s
1950s
Back
Back
Evaluation of Historical Fiction
Author MUST present historical facts with as
much accuracy & objectivity as history books
Language & Dialect
Language may be different
Modified to be understandable to the child
Benefit by integrating into the social studies
curriculum.
Some authors attempt to include a more modern
interpretation of historical events by
setting an earlier account straight/
Birchbark House/Erdich
Black Cowboys, Wild Horses/Lester
Adding a minority presence to the story
SCOTT O’DELL AWARD
Since 1982
Honors most outstanding
work of children’s
historical fiction in the
past year
U.S. Citizen
Set in the New World
Award of $5,000.0
2008 Christopher’s
Elijah of Buxton
MAIN THEMES OF
HISTORICAL FICTION
Seeking New Frontiers
Little House on the Prairie/Wilder
Sign of the Beaver/Speare
Search For Freedom From Persecution
Crispin; the cross of lead/Avi
Effects of War
Bat6/Wolff
Patrol; an American Soldier in Viet Nam/Myers
Family Closeness in Times of Adversity
Ruthie’s Gift/Bradley
Out of the Dust/Hesse