Our Middle Grade book spotlight this week is all about Historical Fiction!!! Our titles this week are all historical fiction stories; this is one of my favorite genres because it provides an opportunity to read about times and events in history that many times we do not know much, if anything, about because they are not taught in typical school classes. Historical fiction books are filled with true facts (authors need to do a ton of research) and many times the characters are inspired by real people. We have books that take place in the United States and others on other continents; some take place in more recent times and others further in the past. These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #youthhistoricalfiction as well as on Libby and Hoopla.
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park--Fourteen-year-old Hanna, who is half Chinese, settles with her father in the frontier town of LaForge, Dakota Territory in 1880. She hopes she can attend school before becoming a dressmaker in her father's dry goods shop, but first must deal with racism from the local townspeople who are afraid to have their children attend class with her, as well as, grief from the loss of her mother, as she and her father struggle to find a place where they will be accepted.
Stella by Starlight by Sharon Draper--After years of relative peace, the Ku Klux Klan returns to Bumblebee, North Carolina. Stella and her brother Jojo are out late one night when they see the white-robed figures burning a cross. Bumblebee's African American community is gripped with fear. They know that they are alone and must deal with this problem themselves. Stella sees all this, but she has a fiery spirit and refuses to give in to fear. Stella focuses on the good things like family, friends, potluck dinners in neighbors' backyards—and finally a peaceful march to a voting place, where three registered black voters make history.
Sophia’s War by Avi--Twelve-year-old Sophia Calderwood is determined to fight for the American cause during the American Revolution after she witnesses the execution of Nathan Hale in British-occupied New York City. However, it is only when John André, a handsome British officer quartered in her home, fails to help her brother, an American soldier, that Sophia becomes a spy and sets out to personally stop British forces from seizing West Point. Though Sophia has feelings for André, she seeks to fulfill her mission, traveling north to reveal his relationship with traitor Benedict Arnold to American forces.
Moonshine by Justin Benton--During the Great Depression, thirteen-year-old Cub's father turns to moonshine to put food on the table. The local sheriff catches wind and threatens Cub with an orphanage and Pa with jail if he doesn't stop. It grows more complicated when a big-city mobster comes around and makes Pa an offer he can't refuse. Desperate for his father to live a legal life, Cub intervenes, with terrible results. His father injured, Cub is forced to grow up fast before things turn deadly.
Dash by Kirby Larson--After the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, Japanese American Mitsi Kashino and her family are sent to an incarceration camp. Apart from all else, having to leave behind her beloved dog, Dash, is the worst for Mitsi. Thankfully, a kind neighbor agrees to take care of Dash and writes letters to Mitsi as if they were written by Dash himself. Mitsi finds comfort in these, and continues to hope for the end of the war and their reunion.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly--This touching story takes place in 1899 and focuses on what it means to be a girl at the turn of the century. Eleven-year-old Calpurnia Virginia Tate should be cooking, sewing and attracting boys, but instead she finds enjoyment in examining insects and reading Darwin’s “The Origin of the Species.” While exploring the natural world surrounding her, Calpurnia develops a close relationship with her “avid naturalist” grandfather and finally figures out how to live as the only girl among six brothers.