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)

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G. A. Henty Books

- Henty Audio Books

Louise Vernon Historical Fiction

Nautical Fiction

We Were There Series

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	Abandoned on the Wild Frontier Peter Cartwright Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Abandoned on the Wild Frontier Peter Cartwright Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $9.99 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt from Berkley Books Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade 1965 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.49 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt from Berkley Books Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade 1965 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.49 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	After the Dancing Days by Margaret I. Rostkowski from HarperTrophy for 7th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $5.09 $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Angel on the Square A Companion to The Impossible Journey by Gloria Whelan from HarperCollins for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.49 $4.40 (2 in stock)
	Art of Keeping Cool by Janet Taylor Lisle from Scholastic Inc. for 4th-8th grade 2001 Scott O'Dell Award in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $2.50 (2 in stock)
	Aunt Jane's Hero Portrait of a Christ-Centered Home by Elizabeth Prentiss from Calvary Press for 7th-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman from HarperCollins for 3rd-6th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $5.09 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Ben and Me New and Astonishing Life of Ben Franklin as Written by His Very Good Mouse Amos by Robert Lawson from Little, Brown & Company Humor/historical fiction for 2nd-5th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.64 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Betsy and the Emperor by Staton Rabin from Simon and Schuster for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.64 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Big Balloon Race An I Can Read Book Level 3 by Eleanor Coerr from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 1st-3rd grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $4.24 $2.40 (3 in stock)
	Billy Budd and Other Tales Signet Classics by Herman Melville from Signet Classics Realistic Nautical Fiction for 10th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $4.21 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Black Pearl by Scott O'Dell Reprint from Houghton Mifflin for 4th-6th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $8.49 $3.60 (1 in stock)
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	Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli from Yearling Realistic Fiction for 3rd-6th grade 1950 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.79 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Double Life of Pocahontas by Jean Fritz from Trumpet Club Biography for 4th-8th grade in Jamestown Colony (Location: HISA-17JA) $2.50 (2 in stock)
	Dragon's Gate Golden Mountain Chronicles: 1867 by Laurence Yep from HarperCollins for 6th-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.79 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Dragonwings Golden Mountain Chronicles: 1903 by Laurence Yep from HarperCollins Historical fiction for 5th-8th grade 1976 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.79 $3.60 (2 in stock)
	Dragonwings Golden Mountain Chronicles: 1903 by Laurence Yep from Scholastic Inc. Historical fiction for 5th-8th grade 1976 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Drinking Gourd OSI A Story of the Underground Railroad An I Can Read Book Level 3 by F. N. Monjo from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $2.00 (2 in stock)
	Earthquake at Dawn by Kristiana Gregory from Gulliver Books Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Escape From Warsaw Originally titled The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier, illustrated by Irwin Hoffman from Scholastic Inc. Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $3.20 (2 in stock)
	Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan from Scholastic Inc. for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.79 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Eyes of the Emperor by Graham Salisbury from Laurel-Leaf Books for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Ghost in the Tokaido Inn by Dorothy & Thomas Hoobler from Puffin Books for 4th-7th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $6.79 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara from Ballantine Books Historical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Hill of Fire An I Can Read Book Level 3 by Thomas Lewis & Joan Sandin from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $5.09 $2.40 (2 in stock)
	Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan from HarperCollins for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.49 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton Reissue from Aladdin Paperbacks for 4th-6th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $6.79 $3.20 (3 in stock)
	In Grandma's Attic In Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson from Cook Communications for 3rd-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $4.50 (2 in stock)
	Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell Anv from Sandpiper Books Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1961 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.49 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes from Yearling Historical Fiction/Adventure for 3rd-10th grade 1944 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $4.50 (2 in stock)
	Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes Reprint from Laurel-Leaf Books Historical Fiction/Adventure for 5th-9th grade 1944 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $3.20 (1 in stock)
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	Kidnapped Prince The Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano from Yearling for 3rd-7th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.79 $3.20 (1 in stock)
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	Long Way to a New Land An I Can Read Book Level 3 by Joan Sandin from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $4.24 $2.00 (3 in stock)
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	Martyr of the Catacombs A Tale of Ancient Rome by Anonymous Christian from Kregel Publications Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05) $5.60 (1 in stock)
	Matchlock Gun by Walter Edmonds from PaperStar Books Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade 1942 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.64 $3.60 (3 in stock)
	Minstrel in the Tower by Gloria Skurzynski from Random House Historical Fiction for 1st-4th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $5.94 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Moccasin Trail Puffin Newbery Library by Eloise J. McGraw from Puffin Books Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade 1953 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.64 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Mr. Tucket Tucket Adventures #1 by Gary Paulsen from Yearling Adventure for 5th-8th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $2.80 (1 in stock)
	New Dawn on Rocky Ridge Rocky Ridge Years / Rose Years Book 6 by Roger Lea MacBride from HarperCollins for 3rd-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	No Promises in the Wind by Irene Hunt from Berkley Books Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.79 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	On the Banks of the Bayou Rocky Ridge Years / Rose Years Book 7 by Roger Lea MacBride from HarperCollins for 3rd-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Once On This Island by Gloria Whelan from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 3rd-6th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $5.94 $3.60 (2 in stock)
	Or Give Me Death A Novel of Patrick Henry's Family by Ann Rinaldi from Harcourt for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $2.40 (1 in stock)
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	Perilous Road by William O. Steele from Harcourt for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.49 $2.80 (2 in stock)
	Pirate's Promise by Clyde Robert Bulla, illustrated by Peter Burchard from HarperTrophy for 1st-3rd grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E. L. Konigsburg from Aladdin Paperbacks for 7th-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.64 $4.00 (1 in stock)
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	Road from Home by David Kherdian from Greenwillow Books for 7th-9th grade 1980 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.64 $4.80 (2 in stock)
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	Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr from Scholastic Inc. Historical Fiction for 4th-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $1.60 (6 in stock)
	Sam the Minuteman An I Can Read Book Level 3 by Nathaniel Benchley & Arnold Lobel from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Sarah Bishop by Scott O'Dell from Scholastic Inc. Historical Fiction for 6th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $2.80 (1 in stock)
	Second Mrs. Giaconda by E. L. Konigsburg from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Fiction for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.64 $3.60 (2 in stock)
	Serpent Never Sleeps A Novel of Jamestown and Pocahontas by Scott O'Dell from Fawcett Books for 3rd-6th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $2.80 (1 in stock)
	Shakespeare's Spy Shakespeare Stealer #3 by Gary Blackwood from Puffin Books for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $5.94 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Slave Dancer by Paula Fox from Laurel-Leaf Books Historical Fiction for 6th-8th grade 1974 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.53 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	So Far From the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins from Beech Tree Books Historical fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $5.09 $3.20 (2 in stock)
	Soft Rain A Story of the Cherokee Trail of Tears by Cornelia Cornelissen from Yearling Historical fiction for 3rd-5th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.79 $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Swallows and Amazons for Ever! containing abridged editions of Coot Club and The Big Six by Arthur Ransome from Red Fox Family stories/boating for 7th-9th grade in Clearance: Fiction (Location: ZCLE-FIC) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $5.09 $2.80 (4 in stock)
	Tall Tails Cross-Country with Lewis & Clark Tall Tails #02 by Dona Smith from Scholastic Inc. Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Teddy Roosevelt and the Treasure of Ursa Major by Tom Isbell (based on the play by), adapted by Ronald Kidd, illustrated by Ard Hoyt from Simon and Schuster for 2nd-5th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $2.80 (1 in stock)
	Through the Wall by Alida Sims Malkus from The Good and the Beautiful for 8th-Adult in GATB Language Arts & Reading (Location: CUR-GABELA) $5.10 (1 in stock)
	To Be a Slave Puffin Modern Classics by Julius Lester, illustrated by Tom Feelings from Puffin Books Historical Non-fiction for 6th-10th grade 1969 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $3.60 (1 in stock)
	True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi from HarperTrophy for 4th-6th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi Other Printing from Avon Books for 4th-6th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $2.50 (1 in stock)
	Turn Homeward, Hannalee by Patricia Beatty from Beech Tree Books for 3rd-6th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.49 $2.80 (1 in stock)
	Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop from Puffin Books Historical Fiction for 4th-6th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.79 $3.20 (3 in stock)
	Wagon Wheels An I Can Read Book Level 3 by Barbara Brenner from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $5.09 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Walking Drum by Louis L'amour from Bantam Books for 9th-Adult in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $5.03 (1 in stock)
	Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare Reissue from Sandpiper Books Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade 1959 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.49 $4.80 (1 in stock)

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