Historical Fiction: Fictional stories containing both fictional and nonfictional characters, settings, plots, or events that could have occurred in the past.
Esperanza Rising Written by Pam Munoz Ryan
Award: Pura Belpré Award Reading Level: 4th and 5th Grade Summary: This book follows the journey of a young girl, named Esperanza, who, through a series of tragic events, including the death of her father and the burning down of her home, is forced to migrate from Mexico to California. She transitions from a life of leisure, security and wealth to a life of hard work and having nothing. The events in this story describe how she overcomes the various obstacles that life throws her way and the lessons she learns from them. Interdisciplinary Uses: This book would be great to use in a Social Studies lesson that explores the culture of Mexico as well as the farming and work camp culture of California in past years. It could also be used in a lesson on Agriculture.
Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story about the First Hot Air Balloon Ride Written and Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman Award: Caldecott Award Reading Level: 5th and 6th Summary: This story and it’s fantastic illustrations follow the journey of three animals, a duck, a rooster, and a sheep, as they experience the very first hot air balloon ride. While the ride itself may not be true, the details concerning creators of the first hot air balloon, where hot air balloons were first tested and the inclusion of farm animals in these trials sprout from true historical facts! Interdisciplinary Uses: This would be a great book to use in a literature lesson that is exploring the significance of illustrations in writing. The students could use this book as a model to create their own book that uses illustration with minimal writing to tell a story. It could also be used in a History lesson on the origins of hot air balloons.
Kira Kira Written by Cynthia Kadohata
Award: Caldecott Award Reading Level: 4th and 5th Grade Summary: This story is about two sisters and their Japanese American family. It brings to light the struggles of being Japanese living in America in the 1950's and reveals other challenges that the family endures. Interdisciplinary Uses: This books could be used in a History lesson to learn more about Japanese Americans in the 1950s. It could also be used in a Science lesson to learn more about cancer and how it effects the human body.
Paul Revere’s Ride Written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Illustrated by Ted Rand
Award: Christopher Book Award Reading Level: 5th and 6th Grade Summary: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous poem, Paul Revere’s Ride, is brought to life through the illustrations in this captivating book which is sure to engage the reader in a new and exciting way. Interdisciplinary Uses: This book could be used in a History lesson on the story of Paul Revere. It could also be used in a Geography lesson by examining the places and distances of Paul Revere's Ride.