Historical Fiction Book Report
Historical fiction is a kind of realistic fiction based on a historical period or event. It
may portray real people in invented situations or invented people in historical
situations. The time and place of the setting are portrayed authentically.
For this book review you will recall important events from the historical fiction book
you read. You will create a time line of events, using your imagination to create a
powerful visual. Then, you will write a summary of the book, being sure to include the
historical significance of the text.
Steps to follow:
1.
Use the time line graphic organizer (see attached) to list the most important
events that occurred in the story. The last item should be the concluding episode in
the book. (If possible, use actual dates, or time of year. If not, include the chapter.
Example: Ch 4, or mid-chapter 6). Use bullet form to add details about each event.
2.
Complete the summary graphic organizer.
3. Use the summary graphic organizer to write a summary of the story. The summary
should be at least one page long and include all information used in the graphic
organizer.
4. Construct a time line of your story. BE CREATIVE!! Use whatever resources you
have to create your timeline. Think about your book. What time period is it set in?
What country? Who is it based on? What are they doing? Can you think of any ideas
to pull into your timeline? You must include at least 6 events from your story. You can
use poster board, 3D objects, or whatever else you can think of. (Example: If you
read a book about the Titanic, you could use a piece of poster board and draw a large
ship on the background. Your “timeline” dates could be written on lifeboats hanging
from the ship.)
Graphic Organizer for TIME LINE Events
Event 1(beginning of book):
Event 2:
__________________________________ __________________________________
Date/Chapter:
Date/Chapter:
__________________________________ __________________________________
Details:
Details:
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
Event 3:
Event 4:
__________________________________ __________________________________
Date/Chapter:
Date/Chapter:
__________________________________ __________________________________
Details:
Details:
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
Event 5:
Event 6(last BIG event in book):
__________________________________ __________________________________
Date/Chapter:
Date/Chapter:
__________________________________ __________________________________
Details:
Details:
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
Graphic Organizer for Written Summary
Title of book:
Main Characters with
descriptions:
1.
Author of book:
2.
3.
Setting:
Time:
Place:
How did this historical event or
time period affect the
character's life?
Solution or Conclusion:
Problem:
Historical Fiction Novels
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Gray Vining
After the Dancing Days by Margaret Rostkowski
Brady by Jean Fritz
The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
Charley Skedaddle by Patricia Beatty
The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh
The Door in the Wall by Marguerite Angeli
Dragonwings: Golden Mountain Chronicles, 1903 by Laurence Yep
Edge of Two Worlds by Weynan Jones
The Fighting Ground by Avi
The Friendship by Mildred D. Taylor
Hakon of Rogen’s Saga by Eric C. Haugaard
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
The House of Sixty Fathers by Meindert DeJong
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
The Light Beyond the Forest: The Quest for the Holy Grail by Rosemary Sutcliff
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Sarah MacLachlan
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
Sing Down the Moon by Scott O’Dell
The Fighting Ground by Avi
The Stronghold by Molly Hunter
Time of the Bison by Ann Warren Turner
Tituba of Salem Village by Ann Petry
Valley of the Broken Cherry Tree by Lensey Namioka
Viking Adventure by Clyde Robert Bulla