I think 'The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963' is a must - read. It shows the racial tensions in the 1960s in the US through the eyes of a family. It has humor and heartbreak all at once.
Definitely 'Number the Stars'. It really makes the horror of the Holocaust real for young readers. It's a story of courage and friendship in a very difficult time.
One great option is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It's set during World War II and told from the perspective of Death. Another is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' which deals with racial issues in the American South in the 1930s. 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is also a classic historical fiction that takes place during the French Revolution.
For 11th - 12th grade historical fiction, 'All the Light We Cannot See' is an excellent choice. It tells the story of a blind French girl and a German boy during World War II. 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead is a unique take on the Underground Railroad in the antebellum South. It combines historical facts with elements of magical realism. And 'The Kite Runner' gives insights into Afghan history and culture through a powerful story of friendship and betrayal.
Some great 7th - grade historical fiction books include 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry. It presents a dystopian society which makes students think about the importance of memories and individuality. Another one is 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' by Mildred D. Taylor, which shows the harsh realities of African - American life in the South during the Great Depression.
You can't go wrong with 'A Long Walk to Water' by Linda Sue Park. It tells two stories, one set in the 1980s during the Sudanese civil war and another in modern - day Sudan. It's a very moving and educational read. Another good one is 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas' by John Boyne. It gives a unique perspective on the Holocaust from the point of view of a young German boy.
A third option could be 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' by Mildred D. Taylor. It's about a black family in Mississippi in the 1930s. It shows the hardships they face due to racism and poverty. The characters are well - developed, and it really makes you understand what life was like for African - Americans during that time.
One great option is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It tells a story set during World War II from the perspective of a young girl in Germany. Another is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' which deals with racial issues in the American South during the 1930s. And 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is also a classic historical fiction that shows the events of the French Revolution.
One great 7th grade historical fiction book is 'The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963'. It tells the story of an African - American family's journey to the South during a time of great racial tension. Another is 'Number the Stars' which is set during World War II and shows the courage of a young girl in Denmark as she helps her Jewish friend. 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' is also a wonderful choice as it depicts the life of an African - American family in Mississippi in the 1930s.
One great option is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It tells the story from the perspective of Death during World War II and follows a young girl in Nazi Germany who steals books. Another is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' which is set in the 1930s in the American South and deals with issues of race and justice. 'Johnny Tremain' is also a good one, set during the American Revolution.
One characteristic is complex characters. In these books, characters often face moral dilemmas related to the historical context. For example, in 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Atticus Finch has to deal with the racial prejudice in the South while trying to uphold justice. Another characteristic is detailed historical settings. In 'The Book Thief', the description of Nazi - occupied Germany is vivid. It makes the readers feel like they are there.
One characteristic is that they often have relatable young protagonists. For example, in 'Number the Stars', the main character is a girl around that age group. They also simplify complex historical events. So in 'The Sign of the Beaver', it makes the relationship between settlers and Native Americans understandable for young readers. Another aspect is that they usually have engaging storylines to keep kids interested, like in 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' where the family's struggles are told in a captivating way.