1. Historical Fiction LIS 510

2. 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

3. Historical Fiction Characteristics Historical facts blend with imaginary characters & plot Facts are Actual historical events Authentic period settings Real historical figures

4. Forms of Historical Fiction Most CommonMost Common: Main characters of the story are imaginary Secondary characters may be actual historical figures Actual historical events are imbedded 2 nd Type2 nd 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 3 rd Type: Historical Fantasy Historical story containing elements of fantasy Time warps Supernatural features/ghosts

5. 1935 Back

6. 1960s 1950s Civil War Back

8. 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

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11. 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

12. 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

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