Historical Fiction Children's Lit Review

Historical Fiction Review The Long Winter: Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder Awards: Newbery Honor 1941 This story is about the trouble that Laura’s family and town went through in a winter in the 1800’s. They moved from the plantation to their store in town but because of the severity of the blizzards that lasted 2-3 days each the trains couldn’t bring necessities to town. All the towns people including the Ingall’s were running out of coal to warm houses and the most important thing which was food. By the time the trains were able to run in the spring all the people were eating was brown wheat bread that is all they lived on for months. Elijah of Buxton: Author: Christopher Paul Curtis Awards: Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Award This story is about an African American boy who was the first of his community in Buxton to be born free. All the others in his community except the children his age was runaway slaves. The story follows the boy on his journeys from school to fishing and finally to the United States where is father told him to never go in fear he would be captured by slave owners. In the end he promised one of his friends that he would free the friend’s family, so he set off for the United States. He was never able to find the family of the friend but came across some slaves that had been recaptured and they had a baby with them. So, he promised to keep the baby safe and ended up taking the baby back to Buxton with him. Paperboy: Author: Vince Vawter Awards: Newbery Honor 2014 This story is about a boy who can’t speak very good taking over his friend’s paper route. He ends up meeting some not so nice people on the route. Of all his troubles they end up putting his life in danger and his housekeeper’s life. This story takes place in the segregated South. Island of the Blue Dolphins: Author: Scott O’Dell Awards: Newbery Honor 1961 This story takes place off the coast of California. It is about an Indian girl whose brother is killed by a pack of wild dogs which leaves her all alone. This is about her fight to survive on her own in the wild. Treasure Island: Author: Robert Louis Stevenson Award: None The story of a boy who lived in the world of seamen, pirates and buried treasure. This story has you following the boy on his wild adventure of following treasure maps within an imaginary island. Inside Out & Back Again: Author: Thanhha Lai Awards: National Book Award Winner, Newbery Honor Book 2012 This story follows a Vietnamese girl whose family was forced to relocate during the Vietnam war. It shows you their struggles once getting to America. They ended up settling in Alabama. The story takes you through the emotions that I am sure a lot of immigrants feel when coming to America and not being accepted at first. Breaking Stalin’s Nose: Author: Eugene Yelchin Award: Newbery Honor 2012 This story is about a boy who grows up believing the lies of the Soviet Army. So, he wanted to become part of it. When he found out who Stalin really was and the truth he rethinks wanting to join the Young Pioneers. Sarah Plain and Tall: Author: Patricia MacLachlan Award: Newbery Honor 1986 This story follows a family who the mother passed away in child birth. The father put out an ad looking for a woman to become the step mom in the family. The children dreamed of what she would be like. Then because the woman missed the sea and her family she took the wagon to town by herself and never returned. Crispin The Crossing of Lead: Author: Avi Award: Newbery Honor 2003 and Mark Twain Award 2004-2005 This story is about a peasant boy who had to flee his village after being accused of a crime he didn’t commit and was facing murder. It takes you on his journey that he traveled and the people he came across. Eventually he came across someone who vowed to protect him that made the boy his servant. Towards the end he must change himself once again to protect his owner’s life and his own. Lily’s Crossing: Author: Patricia Reilly Giff Award: Newbery Honor 1998, Mark Twain Award 1999-2000 This story is about the life of a little girl during WWII. Her father is sent overseas, and her best friend’s family moved. Then there was a refugee that came to town and Lily began a friendship with him. But they both have their own secrets they are keeping from each other and Lily’s is deep enough that it puts the boy’s life in danger.