In the last few months I’ve read some great work–many are historical fiction.  Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata (about Japanese Internment during World War II) and The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble (Salem Witch Trials) are two I’ve recently completed.  I’ve never been one to get too excited about historical fiction (probably too many dry examples from my childhood–this genre has come a long way baby), but lately I’ve found myself facinated by the wide variety of topics being covered by today’s authors.  Other topics I’ve visited recently include:

A Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages is about the Manhattan Project, specifically children of the scientists working on creating the bomb.

Bread and Roses, Too by Katherine Patterson is about the 1912 labor strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

The Loud Silence of Francine Green  by Caroline Cushman is set in 1949 and focuses on the fear of Communism.

The opportunities to learn about various times in world history are growing, which I think is wonderful.

Every year the National Council for the Social Studies publishes a list of recommended books.  This list is worth viewing for ideas to enhance and support what students are learning in the classroom.

http://www.socialstudies.org/resources/notable/

Enjoy!

My latest read, on audio actually, was A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly. This is historical fiction at its finest. Mattie is a girl trapped by promises. A promise to her mother and to a stranger. How can she unravel herself from the life that is expected of her by her father and society? And what will she do with the bundle of letters she promised to destroy now that their owner was found dead? The vivid description, rich vocabulary, and authentic dialog build a series of characters that linger in the readers heart and mind long after the story ends.
Use in the classroom for: vocabulary, women’s history, foreshadow/flashback