Discover American History
through Historical Fiction
for Teens
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Discover American History |
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Anderson, Laurie Halse Chains (2008) American Revolution
After being sold to a cruel couple in New York City, a slave named Isabel spies for the rebels during the Revolutionary War.
Anderson, Laurie Halse Fever, 1793 (2000) Yellow Fever Epidemic
16 year old Matilda Cook, separated from her sick mother, learns about perseverance and self-reliance when she is forced to cope with the horrors of the yellow fever epidemic.
Bryant, Jen Ringside 1925 (2008) Scopes Trial
Visitors, spectators, and residents of Dayton, Tennessee, in 1925 describe the Scopes “monkey trial” and its effects on that small town and its citizens.
Collier, James Lincoln With Every Drop of Blood (1992) Civil War
While trying to transport food to Richmond, during the Civil War, 14-year-old Johnny is captured by a black Union soldier.
Draper, Sharon Copper Sun (2006) Colonial Period
Two 15 year old girls, one a slave and an indentured servant, escape their Carolina plantation seeking sanctuary to a Spanish colony in Fort Moses, Florida.
Haddix, Margaret Peterson Uprising (2007) Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
Harriet urges Mrs. Livingston to recall her time at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, including the poor working conditions that led to a strike and a fire that killed her friends.
For more on this tragedy, read Ashes of Roses (2002) by Mary Jane Auch.
Hobbs, Valerie Sonny’s War (2002) Vietnam War
In the late 1960s, 14 year old Cori’s life is greatly changed by the sudden death of her father and her brother’s tour of duty in Vietnam. For another Vietnam War story, read The Road Home (1995) by Ellen EmersonWhite.
Kadohata, Cynthia Weedflower (2006) WWII Japanese Internment Camp
Sumiko and her Japanese-American family are relocated from California to an internment camp in Arizona where she tries to hold onto her dreams.
Klass, Sheila Solomon Soldier’s Secret (2009) American Revolution
Based on a true story, Deborah Sampson disguises herself as a man to escape the stringent restrictions placed on women and serves as a soldier for 17 months.
Larson, Kirby Hattie Big Sky (2006) World War I
Orphaned Hattie inherits a homesteading claim in Montana and travels from Iowa in 1917 to make a home for herself, but unexpected problems arise due to the war in Europe. Also try After the Dancing Days (1986) by Margaret Rostkowski.
Lyons, Mary Letters From A Slave Girl (1992) Pre-Civil War
A fictionalized story of Harriet Jacobs life, told in letters that she might have written during her slavery and as she prepared to escape to the North in 1842. You may also like True North (1996) by Kathryn Lasky.
Myers, Walter Dean Fallen Angels (1988) Vietnam War
Richie Perry enlists in the Army after graduating from high school in1967, and spends a devastating year in Vietnam.
Paulsen, Gary Soldier’s Heart (1998) Civil War
Charley was eager to enlist in the Civil War, but experiences both physical horrors and mental anguish in combat.
Paterson, Katherine Lyddie (1991) 1840s
Impoverished Vermont farm girl Lyddie Worthen is determined to gain her independence by becoming a factory worker in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Peck, Richard The River Between Us (2003) Civil War
During the early days of the Civil War, the Pruitt family takes in two mysterious young ladies who have fled New Orleans.
Rees, Celia Witch Child (2002) Salem Witch Trials
In 1659, 14 year old Mary Newbury keeps a journal of her voyage from England to the New World and her experiences living as a witch in a community of Puritans. For more on the Salem Witch Trials, read A Break With Charity (1992) by Ann Rinaldi; or Tituba Of Salem Village (1964) by Ann Petry.
Rinaldi, Ann Fifth of March (1993) American Revolution
Rachel, an indentured servant of John and Abigail Adams, is caught up in the colonists' unrest that eventually escalates into the Boston Massacre. For more historical tales read the other books by Ann Rinaldi.
Roddy, Lee Cry of Courage (1998) Civil War
An orphaned Northerner, a poor Southern farm boy and a secretly educated slave have intertwining experiences. This is the first of six books in the Between Two Flags series. For another Civil War Series, try Bonnets and Bugles by Gilbert Morris.
Taylor, Mildred D. The Land (2001) Post-Civil War
Paul, the son of a white father and black mother, finds himself caught between two worlds as he pursues his dream of land ownership. Prequel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (1976).
Trottier, Maxine Under A Shooting Star (2001) War of 1812
Shipwrecked off an island in Lake Erie, three teens struggle to survive and inadvertently become involved with Tecumseh’s son.
Wells, Rosemary Red Moon at Sharpsburg (2007) Civil War
As Civil War breaks out, India, a young Southern girl, summons her sharp intelligence and courage to survive the war that threatens to destroy her family and home.
Wolf, Allan New Found Land (2004) Lewis and Clark Expedition
The letters and thoughts of all of the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition tell of the historic expedition to seek a water route to the Pacific Ocean. For more on the Expedition read Streams To The River, River To The Sea (1986) by Scott O’Dell.
Yep, Laurence Dragon’s Gate (1993) Transcontinental Railroad
After accidentally killing a Manchu, a Chinese boy is sent to America to help build a tunnel for the transcontinental railroad through the Sierra Nevada mountains in 1867.
Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
June 2009
Next Time:
Lisle, Janet Taylor Black Duck (2006) Prohibition
Multicultural:
Crew, Linda Children Of The River (1989)
Having fled Cambodia four years earlier to escape the Khmer Rouge army seventeen-year-old Sundara is torn between remaining faithful to her own people and enjoying life in her Oregon high school as a "regular" American.
Frank, Rudolf No Hero For The Kaiser (1986) World War I
Jan, a 14 year old Polish boy whose town is invaded in WWI, joins a German battalion and experiences the horrors of battle.
Garden, Nancy Dove and Sword (1995)
In 1455, Gabrielle is visited by one of Joan of Arc’s brother to reminisce about their childhood and the subsequent trial and execution of Joan twenty-four years earlier.
Gardner, Sally The Red Necklace (2008)
In the late 18th century, Sido, the daughter of a marquis and Yann, a Gypsy orphan raised to perform in a magic show, face a common enemy at the start of the French Revolution.
Gehrts, Barbara Don’t Say A Word (1986) World War I
Living in Berlin during WW II, Anna finds herself and her family growing more aware of the dangerous direction in which her country is moving as her friends start to die.
Geras, Adele Ithaka (2006)
The island of Ithaka is overrun with suitors demanding that Penelope choose a new husband, as she awaits the return of Odysseus from the Trojan War.
Ibbotson, Eva A Countess Below Stairs (2007)
After the Russian Revolution turns her world upside down, Anna, a young Russian countess, flees to England. Penniless, Anna hides her noble background and takes a job as a servant in the household of the esteemed Westerholme family.
Kadohata, Cynthia Cracker!: the Best Dog in Vietnam (2008)
A young soldier in Vietnam bonds with his bomb-sniffing dog.
Magorian, Michelle Good Night, Mr. Tom (1981)
Mah, Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society
Meyer, Carolyn Doomed Queen Anne (2002)
In 1520, 13 year old Anne Boleyn, jealous of her older sister’s beauty and position at court, declares that she will be queen of England, and that her sister will kneel at her feet.
Meyer, Carolyn Loving Will Shakespeare (2006)
In Stratford-upon-Avon in the sixteenth century, Anne Hathaway suffers her stepmother’s cruelty and yearns for love and escape with her childhood friend.
Napoli, Donna Jo Hush: An Irish Princess’ Tale (2007)
15 year old Melkorka, an Irish princess, is kidnapped by Russian slave traders learns to survive and challenge her captors who are fascinated by her apparent muteness.
Polak, What World Is Left Holocaust
Rees, Celia Sovay (2008)
In 1794 England, the rich and beautiful Sovay, disguised as a highwayman acquires papers that could have her father arrested for treason.
Reeve, Philip Here Lies Arthur (2008)
Rinaldi, Ann The Redheaded Princess (2008)
In 1542, Lady Elizabeth is striving to get back into the good graces of her father, King Henry VIII. As the years pass she faces his death and the deaths of other close relatives until she finds herself next in line to ascend the throne of England in 1558.
Rostkowski, Margaret After The Dancing Days (1986) World War I
A forbidden friendship with a badly disfigured soldier in the aftermath of World War I forces Annie to redefine the word "hero" and patriotism.
Venkatraman, Padma Climbing the Stairs (2008)
In India, in 1941, Vidya’s father becomes brain-damaged in a non-violent protest march which forces them to move in with extended family and learn a different way of life.
Young Adult Booklists
June 2009