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

We Were There Series

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	Andries by Hilda Van Stockum from Bethlehem Books for 5th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $14.95
	Anna and the King (adapted) by Margaret Landon from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Belles On Their Toes by Frank Gilbreth & Ernestine Gilbreth Carey from HarperCollins Family Stories for 4th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $15.99
	Big John's Secret Bethlehem Books Living History Library by Eleanore Jewett from Bethlehem Books Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95
	Boy and the Samurai by Erik Christian Haugaard Reissue from HMH Books for Young Readers for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	By the Shores of Silver Lake Little House Series #5 by Laura Ingalls Wilder Reprint from HarperCollins for 3rd-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	Calico Captive by Elizabeth George Speare from Houghton Mifflin Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99
	Cheaper By the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth & Ernestine Gilbreth Carey from HarperCollins Family Stories for 4th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.99
	Door to the North A Saga of 14th Century America by Elizabeth Coatsworth from Bethlehem Books for 6th-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	Downright Dency by Caroline Dale Snedeker from Bethlehem Books Realistic Fiction for 6th-9th grade 1928 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95
	Dry Divide Little Britches Series #7 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95
	Dutch Color by Doug Jones from Canon Press Historical Fiction for 4th-7th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $12.00
	El Guero A True Adventure Story by Elizabeth Borton de Treviño from Hampton-Brown Historical Fiction for 3rd-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	False Coin, True Coin by Lois Hoadley Dick from Bob Jones University Press Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99
	Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson from Simon and Schuster for 4th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	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
	Fields of Home Little Britches Series #5 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95
	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
	First Four Years Little House Series #9 by Laura Ingalls Wilder Reprint from HarperCollins for 3rd-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99 $6.00 (1 in stock)
	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)
	Hidden Treasure of Glaston Bethlehem Books Living History Library by Eleanore Jewett from Bethlehem Books Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1947 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $15.95
	Home Ranch Little Britches Series #3 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95
	Home Ranch Little Britches Series #3 by Ralph Moody from Purple House Press Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	Horse of a Different Color Reminiscences of a Kansas Drover Little Britches Series #8 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95
	Hue and Cry by Elizabeth Yates from Bob Jones University Press Realistic Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99
	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
	Jamberoo Road by Eleanor Spence from Bethlehem Books Orphan Stories for 6th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.95
	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)
	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
	Little Britches Father and I Were Ranchers Little Britches Series #1 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95
	Little House - Full Color Trade Paper Set by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins for 3rd-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $75.11
	Little Town in the Ozarks Rocky Ridge Years / Rose Years Book 5 by Roger Lea MacBride from HarperCollins for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	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
	Man of the Family Little Britches Series #2 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Mary Emma and Company Little Britches Series #4 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95
	Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool from Yearling for 6th-10th grade 2011 Newbery Medal Winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Nacar the White Deer A Story of Old Mexico by Elizabeth Borton de Treviño from Bethlehem Books Realistic Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.95
	Nacar the White Deer A Story of Old Mexico by Elizabeth Borton de Treviño, illustrated by Enrico Arno from Farrar, Straus and Giroux Realistic Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
	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
	Refugees A Tale of Two Continents Huguenot Inheritance Series #6 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle from Inheritance Publications Historical fiction for 7th-10th grade in Huguenot Inheritance Series (Location: FIC-WH02) $15.96
	Samurai's Tale by Erik Christian Haugaard from Houghton Mifflin Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Scottish Seas by Doug Jones from Canon Press Historical Fiction for 4th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.00 $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Shakespeare Stealer Shakespeare Stealer #1 by Gary Blackwood from Puffin Books Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Shakespeare's Scribe Shakespeare Stealer #2 by Gary Blackwood from Puffin Books Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Shaking the Nickel Bush Little Britches Series #6 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95
	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)
	Sir Gibbie Classics for Young Readers by George MacDonald from P&R Publishing Realistic Fiction for 6th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan from Dutton Children's Books Historical Fiction for 3rd-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	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
	Swallows' Flight by Hilary McKay from Margaret K. McElderry Books for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99
	Swift Rivers by Cornelia Meigs from Bloomsbury Publishing Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1933 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $9.99 $6.00 (2 in stock)
	Swift Rivers by Cornelia Meigs from Walker and Company Historical Fiction for 3rd-7th grade 1933 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Switherby Pilgrims A Tale of the Australian Bush by Eleanor Spence from Bethlehem Books Orphan Stories for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $13.95 $9.00 (1 in stock)
	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
	These Happy Golden Years Little House Series #8 by Laura Ingalls Wilder Reprint from HarperCollins for 3rd-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	Trails to Poosey by Olive R. Cook from Misty Hill Press Pioneer Fiction for 4th-7th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Twice Freed by Patricia St. John from Christian Focus Publications Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Under a Changing Moon Young Adult Historical Bookshelf by Margot Benary-Isbert from Bethlehem Books Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95
	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
	War Comes to Willy Freeman by James Lincoln Collier, Christopher Collier Reissue from Yearling for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis from Yearling for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	Way of the Gladiator by Dan Mannix from ibooks for 7th-12th grade in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	We Were There on the Oregon Trail by William O. Steele from American Home-School Publishing Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	We Were There with Lewis & Clark by James Munves from American Home-School Publishing Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	We Were There with The Pony Express by William O. Steele from American Home-School Publishing Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	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
	Windy Hill by Cornelia Meigs Dover 2017 from Dover Publications for 4th-7th grade 1922 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.99
	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)

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