For beginners, 'Johnny Tremain' by Esther Forbes is a great choice. It's a simple yet engaging story set during the American Revolution. It follows the journey of a young apprentice silversmith, which makes it easy to understand the historical context while enjoying the story.
The 'Dear America' series can also be good for beginners. Each book in the series is written in the form of a diary by a young girl living during different historical periods in America. For example, one might be set during the Dust Bowl era, another during the Civil War. It gives a personal and accessible look into history.
'The Bronze Bow' by Elizabeth George Speare is another option. Set in the time of Jesus, it tells the story of a young man's quest for revenge and his encounter with the teachings of Jesus. It's a short and easy - to - read historical fiction that can introduce readers to the genre.
A good start could be 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It's set during World War II and is told from the perspective of Death. It has a unique narrative style that is easy to follow and the historical elements are well - integrated.
A good starting point could be 'Johnny Tremain' by Esther Forbes. It's set during the American Revolution and is easy to understand. Another one is 'The Sign of the Beaver' which gives a good look at the relationship between a white boy and Native Americans in colonial times.
A good beginner - friendly historical fiction book is 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Although it's more of a children's story, it has historical elements and is set in England. 'Black Beauty' by Anna Sewell is another one. It's about the life of a horse in 19th - century England and gives insights into that era. And 'Call of the Wild' by Jack London, set during the Klondike Gold Rush, is an engaging read for those new to historical fiction.
One great historical fiction book is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It's set in 12th - century England and vividly depicts the building of a cathedral. The characters are well - developed, and it gives a great sense of the time period, including the politics, social structure, and the daily lives of people from different classes.
For beginners, 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak is a great start. It's set in Nazi Germany and is narrated by Death. It gives a unique perspective on the events of the time and is written in a very engaging style.
For beginners, 'The Thieves of Ostia' by Caroline Lawrence is a great choice. It's a children's book but it gives a really accessible introduction to Roman life. It has engaging characters and simple yet interesting plots that can introduce readers to the basic elements of Roman society like the baths, the forum, etc.
I would recommend 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' by John Boyne. It's a relatively easy read that tells a heart - wrenching story about a friendship between a German boy and a Jewish boy in a concentration camp. It's a great starting point to understand the basic atrocities of WW2.
I think 'Number the Stars' by Lois Lowry is great for beginners. It's about a young girl in Denmark during World War II. The story is simple yet powerful and gives an understanding of the war from a child's perspective. Also, 'Catherine, Called Birdy' by Karen Cushman is suitable. It's set in medieval England and follows the life of a young girl. The writing is engaging and not too complex for those new to historical fiction.
For beginners, 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry is a great start. It's a dystopian historical fiction that is easy to understand and has a thought - provoking story. Another good one is 'Johnny Tremain' which is set during the American Revolution and is full of adventure. 'Number the Stars' is also suitable. It's about a girl in Nazi - occupied Denmark and is a simple yet engaging read.
A good starting point could be 'Oliver Twist' by Charles Dickens. It exposes the dark side of 19th - century London, like the workhouses and poverty. The story is engaging and the characters are well - drawn. 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott also has some historical context, especially in terms of family life and gender roles in the 19th century. It's a heartwarming story that new readers of historical fiction might enjoy. And 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett is set in a large English manor and shows the transformation of the characters in that historical setting.