Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: Sarah was the only one able to travel and cook with her father and was brave enough to do it. But will Sarah be able to keep up her courage? Other:This is a great book and a true story. (Ages 6+) ~Faith
Hoofbeats (Series)--Kathleen Duey
This is the first book.
*RA Genre: Horse/Historical Fiction Summary: Throughout history, horses have been very important. These books tell about different girls and their horses, from the time of feuding Ireland, to the rigors of western expansion, to the trials of the revolutionary war. Other: The adventures in these books are fun, the trials are believable, and the horses are beautiful. The characters and the historical facts also contribute greatly to this series. This is a great series for horse lovers, but even my brother liked it. I highly recommend it. (Ages 8+) ~Amy
Little House (Series)--Laura Ingalls Wilder
This is the first book.
*RA Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: Laura Ingalls lives with her pa and ma, older sister Mary, and younger sisters Carrie and, later, Grace. As a pioneer girl, she learns how to help out around the house, work, and study, but she also loves to play with her dolls and sisters. Her family's hardships and experiences are chronicled from when she was a little girl in the big woods of Wisconsin to her marriage on the wide prairies of North Dakota. Other: These books show the life of a pioneer girl. They are biographical, but the series is fiction because some details have been changed to make the story better for readers. These books are extremely fun and very interesting, although a few parts can be a little sad. Our whole family enjoyed them immensely. (Ages 8+) ~Amy
The Matchlock Gun--Walter D. Edmunds
Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: Edward always thought that the matchlock gun hung over the fireplace was magnificent and quite a thing to look at. Even though his father was always off on military service, he had never once took that Spanish gun, and Edward was always a little disappointed. But when his father leaves once again for military service, his mother is worried. Edward is now the man of the house while his father is gone. When the time comes, will he be able to protect his family? Other: When my mom first told me I should try reading this book a while ago, I admit, I was a little doubtful. But when I started reading, I was pleasantly surprised and have read it twice more since then. It is a true story and is fun. There is one part were a tomahawk is thrown at his mother's shoulder, but it isn't bad. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
Sarah, Plain and Tall (Series)--Patricia MacLachlan
Sarah, Plain and Tall is the first book.
Genre: Historical Fiction/Family Summary: Anna, Caleb, and their father are lonely without a mom in their little prairie home. There is no singing in their house anymore. So Anna's father puts out an ad in the newspaper, and the small family receive a reply from a woman named Sarah. She writes that she will visit for a month. "I am plain and tall," she says, "and...I sing." Will Anna and Caleb finally get the mother they have been waiting for? Other: This is a series of short sweet books. It is very good for a one-sitting, feel-good read, as the family tries to bond with the new maybe-mother/wife, tentatively at first, but with growing warmth. The first one won the 1986 Newbery Award. (Ages 8+) ~Amy
Caddie Woodlawn--Carol Ryrie Brink
*RA Genre: Historical fiction Summary: Caddie Woodlawn is a girl growing up in the wilderness of 1864 Wisconsin. She is a bona-fide tomboy, preferring to go on adventures with her brothers than stay at home and sew. Her adventures and spirit abound in this funny, fun book chronicling the life of a girl in the time of colonial America. Other: My whole family enjoyed this book. The characters are fun, and the happenings are very entertaining. Caddie's adventurous spirit shines throughout. It won the 1936 Newbery Award. (Ages 9+) ~Amy
The Door in the Wall--Marguerite De Angeli
Genre: Historical fiction Summary: Robin always knew what he was going to be a knight, just like his father. But when Robin gets a sickness that cripples his legs, he isn't sure what he should do with his parents and servants gone. A kindly monk then comes onto the scene, mentoring and caring for him. Together they, along with a minstrel, travel to the knight he was to learn from. Follow Robin as he finds his door in the wall. Other: This was a fun book, the characters were good, the moral was a good, and the overall story was very satisfying. It won the 1950 Newbery Award. (Ages 9+) ~Faith
Guardian Angel (Series)--Sigmund Brouwer
This is the first book.
*RA Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: A guardian angel's life is always busy. He has to watch over a slippery half-gypsy thief, an athletic jester, and the kidnapped son of a Roman commander. Follow this angel as he watches over three young men. They encounter danger and learn more about their Lord, with a little help from the opinionated angel, in the process. Other: My personal favorite is the first one (The Angel and the Ring), but the others are good too. I read the first and third to my family, and they all liked them. The angel (he has a name, but you'll have to read the series to find out what it is) gives some good advice about life, and he's pretty funny too. Highly recommended--along with the Accidental Detectives, which is also by Sigmund Brouwer. (Ages 9+) ~Amy
Number the Stars--Lois Lowry
Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: During World War II, Denmark struggles to save the lives of Jews as the Nazi occupation grows worse. Annemarie's family hosts her best friend, trying to keep her hidden until she can be smuggled out of the country. Soon, Annemarie must make an emergency run to deliver an important item in order to get her friend's family out of Denmark. If she doesn't, they will never make it out. Through it all, Annemarie grows up, becoming wiser during the years of Nazi supremacy. Other: This book is a thoughtful, short read, but, as befitting a book about WWII, it is sad at times. The historical facts about the Danish Resistance are interesting, however, and the story and morals are touching. It won the 1990 Newbery Award. (Ages 9+) ~Amy
A Single Shard--Linda Sue Park
*RA Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: Tree-ear is an orphan raised by a crippled begger named Crane-man. Their home is under a bridge in old Korea. Between his jobs that keep him and his caretaker alive, Tree-ear loves to go see the master potter Min make his work. Longing to join him, the boy finally gets his chance when Min allows him to be his helper. It is hard work, but Tree-ear gladly accepts. Working feverishly to get the king's commission as the royal potter, every potter's aspiration, Min keeps a watchful eye on his creations. When trouble strikes, Tree-ear must make a long journey to display the exquisiteness of his mentor's work. Other: This beautiful book detailed the work that went into old Korean pottery, as well as mentioned some of Korean customs. For this, my family really enjoyed it. The writing is also very good, as was the storyline. It won the 2002 Newbery Award. (Ages 9+) ~Amy
Smoky, the Cowhorse--Will James
Genre: Horse/Historical fiction Summary: Smoky started his life as a wild horse, but when he is corralled up and broken to ride, he becomes a one-man horse and the best cowpony around. This partnership is cut short when he is stolen, and he becomes the fiercest bucking horse and people come from all over to try to tame him. From his free origins to his mellow retirement, Smokey's story is marked by his heart and drive. Other: This is a good, well-written book, but it can be a little sad at times. The settings and emotions are well portrayed. It won the 1927 Newbery Award. (Ages 9+) ~Amy
Trailblazer books (Series)--Dave and Neta Jackson
This is the first book.
Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: The Trailblazer series flies back in time on various adventures following different kids in different historical times. Each book has a Christian hero (or heroin) that the main character usually meets on the way. Other: The Trailblazer series are fun books, though they tend to be a bit slow in the beginning. Most of the main characters are fictional, though a lot of their situations were common. There is the hero's name below the title of every book. These are short books but a few of them were just a little bit bloody, especially the Florence Nightingale one, but most of them are fine. You do not have to read these books in order, they are in entirely different times and places. (Ages 9+) ~Faith
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!--Laura Amy Schiltz
Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: It is 1255. Hugo, Taggot, Will, Alice, Thomas, Constance, Mogg, Otho, Jack Simon, Edgar, Isobel, Barbary, Jacob Ben Salomon, Petronella, Lowdy, Pask, Piers, Mariot and Maud, Nelly, Drogo, and Giles all live in the same English manor, but their places and jobs in the medieval village are all very different. Their short monologues and dialogues giving a little bit of insight into their Middle-Age lives and characters are compiled in this unique book. Other: The play form of this book is fun, and it is made to be read aloud, although reading to oneself is enjoyable too. In between the characters' parts, there are interesting facts about medieval times. It's a fun way to learn more about that time period. This book won the 2008 Newbery Award. (Ages 10+) ~Amy
Hattie Big Sky--Kirby Larson
Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: 16-year-old Hattie is an orphan and is extremely tired of being shipped around. She longs to find a place where she can feel at home and to shed the name she has given herself--Hattie-Here-and-There. So when her recently deceased uncle sends her a letter bequeathing her his small homestead in Montana, she, a young woman by herself, boldly steps up to fulfill the claim. She makes friends and faces hardships, joys, and sorrows, but the experiences bring her out of being the old Hattie-Here-and-There. Through it all, she learns the true value of friendship, family, and a place to call home. Other: This book was well-written, and the morals were nice. There are a few sad parts (with one tragedy), but it's mostly a hopeful, fairly cheerful book. The depictions of homestead life and the descriptions of the settings are well done as well. These combine to make a very enjoyable read. It is a Newbery Honor book. (Ages 10+) ~Amy
The Witch of Blackbird Pond--Elizabeth George Speare
*RA Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: After growing up on lush, vibrant Barbados with her beloved grandfather, Kit Tyler, running away from an unbearable alternative after her grandfather died, must find her way in the stern Puritan Connecticut community of her aunt and uncle. Work, hours-long church services, and simple, unadorned clothing is new to her, and her unique character sometimes gets her into trouble. However, when she meets the Quaker widow Hannah, she finds peace and enjoyment in the midst of her trials. The townspeople don't trust Hannah though and don't hesitate to call her a witch when sickness breaks out in the colony. Kit must find a way to save Hannah and herself when she is also accused of witchcraft. Can she ever feel comfortable in her new life, or will she always feel out-of-place? Other: My family really enjoyed this book. Kit and her two cousins are very unique, as is Kit's sailor friend, Nat, giving a good string of characters. The romance in the story is pretty well done--it's there but not over-the-top. It was entertaining and interesting at the same time, with historical facts about the time period and the Puritans woven into the story. One note: it is not about a witch--the title is a bit misleading. It won the 1959 Newbery Award. (Ages 10+) ~Amy
The Captain's Dog--Roland Smith
Genre: Historical fiction Summary: A Newfoundland is bought by Captain Meriwether Lewis. He is christened Seaman and taken on the long, famous journey for the Northwest Passage, where he and his master and crew encounter many setbacks. Seaman, who never expected to be anyone special, ends up going on the trip of a lifetime, which he chronicles in a detailed account of his life. Other: This was a good historical fiction book. I thought the ending was a little sad, but this is a great way to learn more about Lewis and Clark's journey. (Ages 11+) ~Amy
Fever 1793--Laurie Halse Anderson
Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: Mattie Cook is the headstrong daughter of a very strict mother in Philadelphia, the capital of the United States in 1793. Determined to make it on her own once she grows a little, focused if slightly undisciplined, Mattie is not going to let her life be dictated by her mother. Her life, however, is turned inside out when yellow fever sweeps the area. Now she must figure out how to survive and keep her head in the midst of horrible chaos. Her struggles demand that she grow up, fast. Other: The squallid conditions of the city during the epidemic are vividly portrayed in this book, but it should be fine for ages 11 and up. It is good historical fiction and gave historical facts in a fairly good story. I enjoyed it. (Ages 11+) ~Amy
Firehorse--Diane Lee Wilson
Genre: Horse/Historical fiction Summary: It's 1872--a time when firefighters did not arrive on the scene in a squeal of tires and flashes of red. Instead, the "fire engines" were pulled by fire horses who stood solid in the face of flames and confusion. Rachel is not happy when her father moves her family to Boston because of his job. She had to leave her pony behind, and she's lonely and upset. Then she meets and cares for a beautiful horse that was injured in a fire, meets the local veterinarian, and considers becoming one herself, even though the vet's job was frowned upon for woman. When the Great Boston Fire of 1872 hits and many of the fire horses are ill, what will become of the city? Other: The main character in this book is fun, and the historical facts about life for woman back then were interesting. Of course, the horses were very pretty as well. :) I enjoyed it. (Ages 11+) ~Amy
To Kill a Mockingbird--Harper Lee
Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: Scout and her big brother Jem are two children living is a town separated by prejudice. Telling her father's struggles as a lawyer unafraid to stick up for "niggers" and her own childish adventures, Scout's growing-up story is a historical masterpiece. Other: I loved this book and can see why it's so popular. The characters are drawn very well, and the portrayals of prejudice are amazing. This is definitely one to read and digest for a while (and maybe write a book report or two). (Ages 12+) ~Amy