Best Books of 2016 Historical Fiction: Which ones are highly recommended?

I highly recommend 'The Vanishing Half'. It has a really engaging plot about race and identity. The characters are well - developed and the story keeps you hooked from start to finish.

I would say 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. This book is set during World War II and follows the parallel lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. It's beautifully written and really captures the essence of that historical period. Also, 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak is excellent. It's narrated by Death and tells about a girl in Nazi Germany who steals books. Then there's 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, which is set during the French Revolution.

Some highly recommended young adult historical fiction books are 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry. It's set in a dystopian future but has roots in our understanding of history and how society could be shaped. 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' by Mildred D. Taylor is set in the American South during the Great Depression and segregation. It shows the life of a black family and their struggles. 'The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963' by Christopher Paul Curtis is about a family's journey to Birmingham during the civil rights movement.

Then there's 'Washington Black' by Esi Edugyan. This novel takes the reader on a journey from the Caribbean to the Arctic in the 19th century. It's a story about a young boy's escape from slavery and his adventures, exploring themes of race, freedom, and identity.

I highly recommend 'Homegoing' by Yaa Gyasi. It's a beautifully written book that traces the generations of two families, one in Ghana and one in America. It shows how their lives are interconnected by history and the legacy of slavery.

One of the best - selling historical fiction books in 2018 was 'Circe' by Madeline Miller. It tells the story of the witch Circe from Greek mythology in a very engaging way. The characters are vivid and the writing is beautiful.

One great 'best second chance historical romance novel' is 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. It has a strong second - chance element within its historical setting. Claire and Jamie have a complex relationship that endures across time and many trials. Another is 'The Bronze Horseman' by Paullina Simons. The characters are given a second chance at love in the midst of the chaos of World War II. And 'A Kingdom of Dreams' by Judith McNaught also falls into this category. The main characters get a second shot at their relationship against a backdrop of medieval Scotland.

The 'Dear America' series is also a good choice. It's written in diary - style entries from the perspective of young girls in different historical situations in America. It makes history more accessible and relatable. Another option could be 'The Royal Diaries' series which does a similar thing but focuses on different princesses throughout history.

Pride and Prejudice is a great classic novel audio book. The story is engaging and the audio versions often bring out the charm of Austen's writing. Another highly recommended one is Moby - Dick. The epic tale of Captain Ahab's quest is well - presented in audio form.

I highly recommend 'Because of Winn - Dixie' by Kate DiCamillo. It's about a girl named Opal who befriends a dog. The story is full of love, loss, and the power of friendship. It has simple yet beautiful language that 5th graders can easily understand.