1. Historical Fiction
Genre Study

2. The Devastation of War
Example: The Fighting Ground: A 13-year-old boy runs away to fight in the revolutionary war and comes to learn a lot about himself.
Think of any war
Now, think of people, ways of life, places, etc that were affected by that war
How could you write about this theme?

3. The Search For Freedom
Example: Jump Ship to Freedom: Depicts the hardships and risks faced by enslaved people and the courageous lengths they went to in search of freedom.
Think all the things people might want to be free of…
What stands in their way in the search for freedom?
How could you write about this theme?

4. Changes over time in culture and attitudes
Example: Year of Impossible Goodbyes: 10-year-old Sookan and her family have to endure the cruelties of Japanese occupation of Korea and watch their culture get destroyed
Think of different cultures that exist (remember culture doesn’t always mean race)
What changes/obstacles have these cultures faced?
How could you write about this theme?

5. Helplessness individuals feel when caught up in larger changes and events
Example: Watsons Go to Birmingham: Family gets caught up in the civil rights movement of the 1960s during a visit to the south; Annexed tells the story of Anne Frank from the perspective of her friend Peter, who hid with the Franks during WWII
Think of important moments in history…
What problems/obstacles might people have faced in these moments?
How could you write about this theme?