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Historical Fiction

historical fiction label

 

Historical Fiction includes imagined stories set in the past which accurately reflect life as it would have been lived in the time and place in which the story is set.


History tells us what people do; historical fiction helps us imagine how they felt.

Guy Vanderhaeghe,

quoted in “A Good Guy,” Quill & Quire

Characteristics

Setting: Historical Fiction is set in the past. Stories take place in real places or places that could be real.

 

Plot: The problem or obstacles faces by characters are appropriate to the historical and geographical setting of the story.

 

Characters: Characters are portrayed as having perspectives and facing issues that are realistic for the historical and geographical setting of the story.

 

Themes: Historical Fiction may be written to allow readers to gain a historical perspective about real events that occurred in the past.

Subgenres

Coming of Age: In the same spirit as Realistic Fiction Coming-of-Age stories, these books focus on the main character's growth from youth to adulthood at a particular time and place in history.

 

Fictional Biography: Fictional accounts of the lives of real historical people.

 

Historical Novel: Often follows the lives of real historical people or real historical events. Authors of Historical Novels dedicate great effort to researching the time and portraying the period and historical events as accurately as possible.

 

Historical Romance: Stories set in the past that center around relationships or romantic love.

 

Nautical and Pirate Fiction: These stories explore life at sea.

 

War Fiction: As the name would suggest, stories of this subgenre are set during war time.

Authors

  • Julia Alvarez
  • Laurie Halse Anderson
  • Avi
  • Joseph Bruchac
  • Christopher Paul Curtis
  • Margarita Engle
  • Karen Hesse
  • Walter Dean Myers
  • Donna Jo Napoli
  • Linda Sue Park
  • Richard Peck
  • Andrea Davis Pinkney
  • Margi Preus
  • Ann Rinaldi
  • Pam Muñoz Ryan
  • Ruta Sepetys
  • Gloria Whelan

Genre Benders

Historical Fiction Poll

What is your favorite kind of Historical Fiction?
Coming of Age: 0 votes (0%)
Fictional Biography: 0 votes (0%)
Historical Novel: 1 votes (11.11%)
Historical Romance: 2 votes (22.22%)
Nautical and Pirate: 3 votes (33.33%)
War Fiction: 1 votes (11.11%)
All!: 2 votes (22.22%)
Something else: 0 votes (0%)
Total Votes: 9

Notable Historical Fiction

Coming of Age

Fictional Biography

Historical Novel

Historical Romance

Nautical and Pirate Fiction

War Fiction

Resources

Scott O'Dell Award Winners

Fiction, that's Historical

These books may not have been considered "Historical" when they were written, but today you'll find them in the "Historical Fiction" section.