middle school european historical fiction

Middle school European historical fiction often has relatable characters. For example, in 'Catherine, Called Birdy', Birdy is a young girl with typical adolescent problems, but set in a medieval English context. It also simplifies complex historical events. 'The Book Thief' simplifies the horror of Nazi Germany enough for middle schoolers to understand. Another characteristic is the vivid description of the setting. In 'I, Claudius', the Roman court and its intrigues are vividly depicted.

There's 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond' which is set in colonial New England, part of European - influenced America in history. 'Catherine, Called Birdy' is a middle - school - friendly historical fiction set in medieval England. It gives a vivid picture of the life of a young girl during that time. Also, 'The Bronze Bow' is set in first - century Israel under Roman rule, which was an important part of the broader European - influenced world at that time.

Some of the best historical fiction books for middle school are 'Island of the Blue Dolphins' by Scott O'Dell. It's based on the true story of a girl left alone on an island for years. 'A Single Shard' by Linda Sue Park is set in 12th - century Korea and tells about an orphan boy's journey to become a potter. 'Esperanza Rising' by Pam Muñoz Ryan is about a wealthy Mexican girl who has to flee to California during the Great Depression and face the hardships of migrant work.

'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a classic. It's set in England and features the transformation of a young girl as she discovers a hidden garden. It gives a sense of the time period and the social attitudes.

Well, start by doing lots of research about the historical period you want to write about. Know the details of daily life, important events, and the people of that time. Also, create interesting characters and a compelling plot.

It helps students understand history better. For example, historical fictions often have detailed descriptions of the settings and events, which are more vivid than dry textbooks. Reading them can make students feel as if they are in that historical period.

One characteristic is its focus on making history accessible to middle school students. It often uses engaging language and relatable characters. For example, it might tell the story of a young person during a historical event, which helps students better understand the context and significance of that era.

These novels tend to have a strong sense of place. If it's a historical fiction novel about ancient Rome, it will describe the city, the Colosseum, the markets, etc. They also explore themes relevant to the historical period such as freedom, equality, or war. The language used can sometimes be period - appropriate, which can introduce new vocabulary to young readers. Moreover, they can give a different view of historical events than what is typically presented in textbooks, making history more complex and interesting.

One of the best is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It's set during World War II and told from the perspective of Death. It gives a unique view of the era, with a focus on a young girl's love for books and how it sustains her through difficult times.

Historical fiction for middle schoolers often has relatable characters and simple yet engaging storylines. It also focuses on teaching important lessons from the past in an interesting way.