Parent Guide to Book Genres: Historical Fiction
How reading about the past helps kids understand the present
Time-traveling through books can give your child a glimpse of the eras and cultures that shaped the world, plus help her better understand current events. Encourage her to choose a time period and culture that intrigues her, whether it's a fictionalized account of an ancient royal or an everyday child from your own heritage. Allowing her interests to shape the books she reads will lead to an illuminating reading experience.
Why They're Worthwhile
The most immediate gift historical fiction offers is a sensory-filled vision of different time and place. It will show your child what life was like before TV (and toilets) and what kids like him did every day. Plus, it personalizes real events, cementing history's greatest moments in his minds. But it does much more than that. Perhaps more than any other genre, historical fiction hones your child's ability to empathize with people who are much different than he is. This kind of learning fosters a tolerant spirit and world view he may carry into adulthood. An exploration of universal truths, historical fiction offers today's kids new ways to face their own challenges by learning how people have lived together throughout time.
Talking the Talk
Many of the best historical novels for kids tackle difficult topics like slavery or the Holocaust, so be prepared to answer questions that may not always be easy. Pay close attention to recommended reading ages, since your advanced reader may have the skills to tackle a book meant for older kids, but may not be emotionally ready for it. When possible, try to read the book or at least what others have had to say about it before making a purchase. Look for winners of the Scott O'Dell or Newbery Award to find critics' picks of the best of the best. Some questions you could try: How is this time period different than today? How is it the same? If you were living that character's life, what would you like about it and what would you dislike?
Beyond the Books
There are several ways to delve deeper into the time period and culture of your child's favorite piece of fiction. You could:
- Cook up a dish or beverage that they would have eaten.
- Create a costume for your child that emulates this period of time and have her spend a few hours pretending to be that character.
- Ask your child to start a piece of "historical fiction" of her own. Since her life will one day be part of history, talk to her about what she would include and why. What does she think future cultures would find unique about her life today?
Top Titles to Try
- For independent readers (ages 8-10)
- For middle schoolers (ages 11-14)
