Historical Fiction - Exodus Books

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The best way to learn history is not always in a textbook. (That's probably the worst way, really, but more on that elsewhere.) While learning history through novels can be taken too far (it is fiction after all), there's much to be said for getting a feel for the Civil War through books like The Red Badge of Courage or Across Five Aprils, or learning about the deep rifts between Saxons and Normans in Medieval England through Scott's Ivanhoe.

A well-researched historical novel imparts something no list of names and dates can—a picture of life among a particular people at a particular time, the way they thought, the way they ate, who they admired, how they traveled. Sometimes readers are introduced to real historical figures and events from an intimate perspective, not the stale cardboard presentations common in schools.

There's plenty of nonsense available, of course, and just because the cover says a book takes place in Renaissance Italy or ancient Egypt doesn't mean it's a good book, or even that it's historical fiction in the true sense. A writer who simply transposes stories on different time periods isn't really saying anything about that time period, they're just trying to inflate sales with an appeal to the exotic and unfamiliar.

Such bogus historical fiction is really just fantasy. The good stuff is real and bright and dusty and loud, just like an old Roman city or a battle between Roundheads and Cavaliers. It reflects the religious sentiments of the characters as they would have been, such as in Lilli Thal's brilliant Medieval epic Mimus. It shows how one small action can lead to many much larger events, as happens frequently in C.S. Forester's Hornblower series.

Whether you're into the technical descriptions of battles found in Henty's boy-versus-the-world stories, or prefer the romance of The Scarlet Pimpernel, or like to break your heart over and over with books like Amos Fortune, Free Man, historical fiction is above all fiction of the present—not to be kept in the annals of the past, it shows us that the people of long ago (or not so long ago) are not so different than the people of today.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

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Parent Categories

Fiction & Literature

Fiction by Genre

Historical Fiction

Subcategories by Grade

4th grade (Ages 9-10)

5th grade (Ages 10-11)

6th grade (Ages 11-12)

7th grade (Ages 12-13)

Subcategories

G. A. Henty Books

- Henty Audio Books

Louise Vernon Historical Fiction

We Were There Series

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	Balloon Boy of San Francisco by Dorothy Kupcha Leland from Tomato Enterprises for 7th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $9.95
	Battle of Seattle by Douglas Bond from P&R Publishing for 4th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $11.99
	Blood on the River: James Town, 1607 by Elisa Carbone Reprint from Puffin Books for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	Blue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose Dgs from Puffin Books Narrative Poetry / Novel-In-Verse for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.99
	Bold Journey West With Lewis and Clark by Charles Bohner from Sandpiper Books Non-fiction for 5th-8th grade in Lewis & Clark Expedition (1801-1803) (Location: HISA-19L&C) $7.99
	Boris by Jaap Ter Haar from Inheritance Publications for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $11.95
	Boy in the Alamo We Were There at the Battle of the Alamo by Margaret Cousins from Veritas Press Historical fiction for 4th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $19.00
	Boys in the Boat adapted for Young Readers Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown, adapted by Gregory Mone from Penguin Putnam for 6th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $11.99
	Calico Captive by Elizabeth George Speare from Houghton Mifflin Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99
	Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham from Houghton Mifflin Biography for 5th-9th grade 1956 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	Come On, Seabiscuit! by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Day of Pleasure by Isaac Bashevis Singer from Farrar, Straus and Giroux for 7th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.99
	Day the World Stopped Turning by Michael Morpurgo from Square Fish Publishing for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	Don't You Know There's a War On? by Avi Reprint from HarperCollins for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99
	Early Thunder by Jean Fritz from Puffin Books for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99
	Echoes of the White Giraffe by Sook Nyul Choi Reprint from HMH Books for Young Readers for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.95
	Elephant Run by Roland Smith Reprint from Disney-Hyperion for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99
	Enemy Brothers A Story of World War II Bethlehem Books Living History Library by Constance Savery from Bethlehem Books Historical fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $15.95
	Exiled to the Red River Chief Spokane Garry Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston from Houghton Mifflin for 7th-11th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.99
	Father's Promise by Donna Hess from Bob Jones University Press Historical fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Fear in the Forest by Cateau de Leeuw from Bethlehem Books for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95
	Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson from Simon and Schuster for 4th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	Fiddler's Green Fin's Revolution: Book II (Fin's Revolution (Rabbit Room)) from Rabbit Room Press for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.99
	Fiddler's Gun by A. S. Peterson 1^st edition from Rabbit Room Press for 7th-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.99
	First Four Years Little House Series #9 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	Forty-Acre Swindle George Washington Carver TrailBlazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood Reprint from Scholastic Press for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99
	Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams-Garcia Reprint from Amistad Press for 4th-7th grade Coretta Scott King Award in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	Great Wheel by Robert Lawson from Walker and Company Realistic fiction for 4th-8th grade 1958 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99 $6.00 (2 in stock)
	Grim Reaper Shadow Series #3 by Piet Prins from Inheritance Publications Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.95
	Growing Up Dakota by Charles Alexander Eastman, Edited and Illustrated by Charlene Notgrass from Notgrass Company for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.95
	Gunner's Run by Rick Barry from Bob Jones University Press for 7th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99
	Guns of Thunder Faith and Freedom Trilogy #1 by Doug Bond from P&R Publishing Historical Fiction for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.99
	Heart Strangely Warmed by Louise A. Vernon from Herald Press for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Hideout in the Swamp Shadow Series #2 by Piet Prins from Inheritance Publications Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.95
	I Am David Previously published as North to Freedom by Anne Holm from Harcourt Realistic Fiction for 3rd-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99
	In This Hour A Story of World War II and the Floods of 1953 by Rudolf Van Reest from Inheritance Publications Historical Fiction for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $15.95
	Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai Reprint from HarperCollins Narrative Poetry / Novel-In-Verse for 4th-8th grade 2012 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Iron Scouts of the Confederacy by Lee McGiffin 2^nd edition from Christian Liberty Press Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.50
	Jar of Dreams by Yoshiko Uchida 2^nd edition from Aladdin Paperbacks for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99
	Journey to Topaz A Story of the Japanese-American Evacuation by Yoshiko Uchida from Heyday Books Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.00
	Journeyman by Elizabeth Yates from Bob Jones University Press Realistic Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99
	King of the Mound My Summer with Satchel Paige by Wes Tooke Reprint from Simon and Schuster for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Listen for the Whippoorwill Harriet Tubman Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Little Town on the Prairie Little House Series #7 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade 1942 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	Little Town on the Prairie Little House Series #7 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade 1942 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt from Clarion Books for 7th-9th grade 2005 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99
	Long Winter Little House Series #6 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade 1941 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	Long Winter Little House Series #6 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade 1941 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.99
	Madeleine Takes Command Bethlehem Books Living History Library by Ethel Brill from Bethlehem Books Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95 $9.00 (2 in stock)
	May B. by Caroline Starr Rose from Yearling Narrative Poetry / Novel-In-Verse for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99
	Number the Stars by Lois Lowry Reissue from Sandpiper Books for 5th-8th grade 1990 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	Ocean-Born Mary by Lois Lenski 1st Edition Thus from Purple House Press for 3rd-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $17.99
	One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia Reprint from Amistad Press for 4th-7th grade 2011 Newbery Honor Book, National Book Award, Coretta Scott King Award, Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	P.S. Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia Reprint from Amistad Press for 4th-7th grade Coretta Scott King Award in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	Partisans Shadow Series #4 by Piet Prins from Inheritance Publications Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.95 $7.00 (1 in stock)
	Pocahontas by Joseph Bruchac from Harcourt for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99
	Reb and the Redcoats Bethlehem Books Living History Library by Constance Savery from Bethlehem Books Historical fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95
	Roger the Ranger A Story of Border Life Among the Indians by Eliza F. Pollard from Inheritance Publications for 6th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95
	Sabotage Shadow Series #5 by Piet Prins from Inheritance Publications Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.95
	Seaman The Dog Who Explored the West with Lewis and Clark by Gail Karwoski & James Watling from Peachtree Publishers, Ltd. Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Lewis & Clark Expedition (1801-1803) (Location: HISA-19L&C) $9.99
	Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell from HMH Books for Young Readers for 6th-8th grade 1971 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99 $4.50 (2 in stock)
	Skylarks' War by Hilary McKay from Margaret K. McElderry Books for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	Slopes of War A Novel of Gettysburg by N. A. Perez from Houghton Mifflin Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $11.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan from Dutton Children's Books Historical Fiction for 3rd-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	Squalls Before War His Majesty's Schooner Sultana by Ned Bustard from Veritas Press Nautical Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $15.00 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp from HarperCollins Biography for 7th-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.99
	These Happy Golden Years Little House Series #8 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade 1944 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	This Dear-Bought Land by Jean Lee Latham from Bob Jones University Press for 3rd-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $11.99
	Under Drake's Flag A Tale of the Spanish Main by G. A. Henty from Dover Publications for 6th-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99
	Upon the Head of the Goat A Childhood in Hungary 1939-1944 by Aranka Siegal First Square Fish: Aug.2012 from Farrar, Straus and Giroux for 5th-9th grade 1982 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix from Simon and Schuster for 6th-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.99
	Voyage to Freedom A Story of the Atlantic Crossing 1620 by David Gay from Banner of Truth Trust Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Pilgrims at Plymouth (Location: HISA-17PIL) $12.00
	War I Finally Won from Puffin Books for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Reprint from Puffin Books for 4th-8th grade 2017 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99 $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals Reprint from Washington Square Press in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $15.99
	Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis from Yearling for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	We Were There at the Battle of Gettysburg by Alida Sims Malkus Reprint from Dover Publications for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99
	We Were There at the Boston Tea Party by Robert N. Webb from Dover Publications for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	We Were There at the Driving of the Golden Spike by David Shepherd, William K. Plummer Reprint from Dover Publications for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99
	We Were There at the First Airplane Flight by Felix Sutton, illustrated by Lazlo Matulay Reprint from Dover Publications for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99
	When the Cherry Blossoms Fell by Jennifer Maruno from Napoleon Books for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.99
	Where the Broken Heart Still Beats The Story of Cynthia Ann Parker by Carolyn Meyer from Graphia for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99
	White Seneca by William W. Canfield from Salem Ridge Press for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.50
	With Lee in Virginia A Story of the American Civil War by G. A. Henty from Dover Publications Historical Fiction for 6th-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95
	With Pipe, Paddle and Song A Story of the French-Canadian Voyageurs Bethlehem Books Young Adult Bookshelf by Elizabeth Yates 2^nd edition from Bethlehem Books Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $23.95 $12.00 (1 in stock)
	Yankee Doodle Boy A Young Soldier's Adventures in the American Revolution Told by Himself by Joseph Martin from Holiday House Historical Non-Fiction for 5th-8th grade in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $8.95
	Zoli's Legacy Based on the life of Zoltan Gaal by Dawn Watkins from Bob Jones University Press Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.50

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