Most of these historical fiction books are in your library! (If can't find them, you can order them by clicking the title below.) Check out two or three copies of each for your class. Let students choose their favorites and form literature groups. Give them copies of the unit to guide them to find the special treasure inside each book, to develop valuable skills, to problem solve, and to help them work together as a group! Literature that is strong in history and character can help build the essential foundation for citizenship.

Historical Fiction

Novel: All the Way Home--by Patricia Reilly Giff-- New York, 1941--A girl who has been crippled by polio and a boy whose world has been destroyed by fire forge a strong friendship in this story of loyalty, self-discipline, and courage--- Treasure Trackers

Novel: Bigger by Patricia Calvert--Awesome Post-Civil War Saga about a boy's search for his father and a dog who stands beside him--Unit in Bluebonnet Celebrations

Novel: Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis --The Newbery Medal winner for 2002--Michigan, 1930's, Depression--A ten-year-old African-American orphan named Bud...not Buddy... grows strong through the wisdom he remembers from his mother and through the "rules and things" that he creates during harrowing challenges he encounters in his search for his father--Unit in Roots and Wings

Novel: The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh--easy reading--Newbery Honor Book--In 1707, Sarah Noble kept her courage as she went into the wilderness with her father to settle a new home--50 page Unit

Book: Dandelions by Eve Bunting --picture book--When a girl and her family move west to Nebraska in the 1800s, they face challenges as they build their sod house and settle into a new life-Unit in Literature-Based Learning

Novel: Elijah Of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis (2008 Newbery Honor Book) --The story of a real settlement that was created as a santuary for runaway slaves, told through the eyes of the first boy born free in the settlement. A powerful, emotionally charged work! Unit in Transormers

Novel: Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan --A wealthy Mexican family meets with hardships in the 1930s as they immigrate to the United States become California farm workers--Unit in Defeating Giants

Novel: Fair Weather by Richard Peck -- Chicago, 1893--A farm family joins their wealthy aunt for a hysterical adventure at The World's Columbian Exposition-- Treasure Trackers

Novel: The Gentleman Outlaw and Me--Eli by Mary Downing Hahn-- Eliza Yates is 12 years old in 1887 when she runs away from her cruel aunt and uncle and sets off for Tinville, Colorado, in search of her missing father--Unit in Character Connections 

Picture Book: Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom by Tim Tingle--The story from the Choctaw nation during the time of African-American slavery--Unit in Transformers

Novel: Gabriel's Horses by Alison Hart--A young slave boy is caught up in the Civil War--Unit in Transformers

Picture Book: Goin' Someplace Special by Patricia McKissack. A picture book set in the 1950's, highlighting the plight of African-Americans during their struggle with the Jim Crow Laws--Unit in Treasure Trackers

Novel: Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr--The hysterical story of Simon who sets out to drive a herd of ..uh....turkeys...to market in Colorado in the 1800s--Unit in Tales for Two Centuries

Book: Home Run by Robert Burleigh --picture book--Through a combination of beautiful oil paintings, authentic baseball cards, and free verse poetry, meet baseball hero Babe Ruth who set the standard for the game in 1919--Unit in Forged in the Fire

Novel: Honus and Me by Dan Gutman --Joe Shoshack, a young baseball fanatic, discovers a rare and valuable baseball card while cleaning out an attic for an elderly friend. In Joe’s hands, the card, opening a door in time, leads him into a time-traveling adventure with his baseball hero, Honus Wagner and the 1909 World Series.
--Unit in Tales for Two Centuries

Novel: Hubert Invents the Wheel by Claire and Monte Montgomery--Prehistoric comedy about Hubert who single-handedly invented the wheel that ushered in traffic jams, flat tires, and the need for things like steering wheels and brakes. --Unit in The Ripple Effect

Novel: Jim Dandy by Hadley Irwin --After Caleb's father died in the Civil War, his mother remarried a fellow-Quaker, Webb, who took the family west to Kansas. When she dies, 12-year-old Caleb gives his affection to a foal. The horse eventually finds his way into the hands of General George Custer--Unit in Bluebonnet Celebrations

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (2008 Caldecott Medal) --Combined Text Book--The story of an orphan boy who discovers a hidden secret and leads to honor the creator of early, fantasy in silent movies--Unit in Transformers

Novel: The Kite Fighters by Linda Sue Park --Brothers Young-sup and Kee-sup prove to be a great team when they meet the 10-year old King of Korea in 15th Century Korea-Unit in Treasure Trackers

Book: Leah's Pony by Elizabeth Friedrich --Picture Book--During the Great Depression's Dust Bowl, Leah makes a great sacrifice to save her family's home--Unit in Character Connections

Novel: Love from Your Friend Hannah by Mindy Skolsky --Depression--Probably the most determined pen pal of the 1930’s, Hannah Diamond finds friendship through her pencil...in the most unlikely of places. Written as a series of letters to Abby, the President of the United States, the First Lady, and others reach across the miles to encourage her during the Great Depression. --Unit in Tales for Two Centuries

Novel: Maggie's Door by Patricia Reilly Giff --The harrowing sequel to Nory Ryan's Song taking her across the ocean to America. Mid 1800s

Marven of the Great North Woods by Kathryn Lasky--Picture Book--To protect him from the 1918 influenza epidemic in Duluth, Minnesota, Marven is sent far away to a logging camp in the great north woods.. --Unit in Tales for Two Centuries

Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot--by Margo Theis Raven--picture book-- The Berlin Airlift of 1948 provides excitement in the life of a little girl who lives in a bombed-out apartment.--- Treasure Trackers

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford and Kadir Nelson--The Story of Harriet Tubman--Unit in Transformers

Novel: Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulsen --Francis Tucket is 14 years old when he strays from his family's wagon on the Oregon Trail and is captured by the Pawnee. He and Mr. Grimes struggle to survive in the wild west.--Unit in Literature Based Learning

Novel: Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Reilly Giff --Rooted in Ireland during the Potato Famine of the mid-1800's, young Nory Ryan tells the moving story of friendship and family. --Unit in Roots and Wings

Novel: A Paradise Called Texas by Janice Shefelman --In the mid-1800s, Mina's family leaves Germany to go on a grueling journey to their new home in Texas. 70 Page Unit

Novel: Penny from Heaven by Jennifer Holm--New York, 1953--Penny's world consists of the best of both families, her father's and her mothers. It is the world of bicycles, laughter, grandparents, friendships, fear of polio, and memories of World War II. Though loved deeply by both sides of the family, especially Uncle Dominique, a dark secret is being withheld from Penny. It is the secret that has formed a gap of silence between the families. Will Penny be able to create a bridge? A 2007 Newbery Honor book. Unit coming in later Kids Wings' Collection.

Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco --Picture Book-- Two boys fighting on different sides during the Civil War find friendship during this horrific time in history--Unit in Literature-Based Learning

Novel: Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan --The orpan Charlotte fights obstacles throughout her life to ride into history as the first woman who ever voted--Unit in Forged in the Fire

Picture Book: Rudy Rides the Rails, A Depression Era Story by Dandi Daley Mackall --Gorgeous paintings highlight the journey of a boy who has to leave home to try to save his family during the Great Depression--Unit in Transformers

Novel: Sarah, Sissy Weed, and the Ships of the Desert by Paula Paul --The Texas camel experiment becomes entangled in a murder mystery and slavery issues in the 1850's--50-Page Unit

Novel: Search for Shadowman by Joan Lowery Nixon --An assignment to research his family history leads a boy to discover an intriguing secret to solve the mystery surrounding pioneer-ancestors--Unit in Heart of the Hero

Novel: Seesaw Girl by Linda Sue Park --A Korean girl in a royal home during the 15th Century is dissatisfied with her plight in tradition and sets off on an adventure to stretch the rules-Unit in Roots and Wings

Novel: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park --Newbery Medal--Tree-Ear is a Korean orphan who lives under a bridge with an old philosopher during the 15th Century. His dream of becoming a potter leads him into a harrowing adventure.--Unit in Treasure Trackers

Novel: The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare --Thirteen-year old Matt must stay alone and try to survive in his Pre-Revolution Maine homestead while his father goes for the rest of his family--Unit

Uncle Jed's Barbershop by Margaree King Mitchell--Early 1900s--Barber Uncle Jed overcomes financial hardships and predjuice trough perseverance and generosity-Bluebonnet Celebrations

Novel: Walking to the Bus-Rider Blues by Harriette Gillem Robinet -- Alpha walks into the Montgomery Bus boycott and leads readers on an adventure they will never forget--- Treasure Trackers

Wingwalker by Rosemary Wells -- Rueben's life changes when the Great Depression hits--- Treasure Trackers