Literature: Realistic Fiction- Historical

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1 Literature: Realistic Fiction- Historical What is Historical Fiction? As we have learned, a book is considered realistic fiction if events in the story did not really happen but could have. Fantastic elements such as magic, aliens, talking animals, or ridiculous exaggerations move a book out of this category and into other genres. Biographies or true stories, even if written in novelized form, are considered non-fiction. As previously mentioned, Realistic fiction is usually divided into historical and contemporary fiction. Contemporary fiction takes place today or in the recent past; historical fiction takes place further in the past. This distinction seems simple enough, but the line between the two categories is somewhat blurred. Should a story such as Beverly Cleary's classic Henry Huggins be considered contemporary fiction even though the setting is America in 1950, the year it was written? Most sources put it into the contemporary category, yet the recent award-winning novel The Watsons Go to Birmingham is considered historical fiction even though it takes place over a decade later. Because of this issue, some authorities suggest that a book should expressly try to convey the everyday life and/or important events of a period in the past to be considered historical fiction. By this definition, both Henry and the Watsons can be put into their proper places with little debate. Most people don't really care how the experts label a book as long as it is a good read. Quality historical and contemporary realistic fiction books are populated with characters as real as people we meet every day. Both historical and contemporary fiction deal with feelings and issues that people can relate to, such as friendships, family life, school, and growing up. Many books in these genres also deal with serious issues such as death, divorce, war, and other disruptions. If well written, these powerful books can help people deal with problems and feelings they are experiencing in their own lives.

2 Historical fiction has the added burden of being historically accurate. If the author did not experience the time period themselves, they must carefully research their subject and try to correctly portray both historical events and everyday life. For example, no matter how poignant the tale of a boy and his dog, the mention of canned dog food in a book set in colonial America would seriously distract and detract from the story. Because people feel a strong connection to characters dealing with familiar issues and feelings in a true to life world, realistic fiction accounts for far more books sold than any other kind of literature. The most beautiful thing I find about fiction, and storytelling in general, is that it helps us to understand who we are as human beings. With the cultural boundaries falling away as people connect on the internet, a bedtime story told in a tiny village on the other side of the world can enlighten an entire industrialized country. Such is the power of ideas.

3 Directions: You are to choose ONE of the following Historical Fiction Novels to read. It must be a book you have never read before. Some novels will be offered several times as they fit into more than one Literature category and they are so wonderful I want to give you plenty of opportunities to read them. You will have approximately 13 lessons before the Book Report Form will be due. Depending upon your personal pace completing each lesson, the time allotted will vary. Please look ahead to the lesson titled Book Report that is when your novel must be completed by. You may purchase the book online, from a local book store, or borrow from the library. In any case, inform your parent of your required book choice before you close this lesson. It does not matter what version of the book you purchase or what the cover looks like, as long as the book title and author are the same. Please check the number of chapters in your novel and pace yourself, so you do not finish too far ahead of time and to make sure you have your novel completed by the time Book Report shows as a lesson. Your novel choices are: I, Mona Lisa Set against a backdrop of political and religious conflicts in 15th-century Medici-ruled Florence, Kalogridis's bloody historical (after The Borgia Bride) identifies the subject of Leonardo da Vinci's painting as Lisa di Antonio Gherardini. Lisa was the daughter of Madonna Lucrezia, wife of a wealthy wool merchant who also enchanted both da Vinci and Lorenzo de' Medici's brother Giuliano, murdered by conspirators in Giuliano's assassination and the later murder of Lucrezia presage a reign of religious terror led by a monk known as Savonarola and the retreat of the Medicis in the face of invasion from France's King Charles. An adult Lisa attracts the romantic attentions of a young Medici scion, whom she marries for love. (His father, Lorenzo, commissions her portrait from da Vinci.) But violent events soon separate the couple and a brutal Savonarola follower tells Lisa that her husband is dead and her father's life in danger unless she marries him instead. Lisa survives, an avenging angel, proving herself worthy of da Vinci's immortal artistry. The Phoenix by Ruth Sims THE PHOENIX is an historical novel set in the last twenty years of the 19th Century. It is a tale of love on many levels, from carnal to devoted friendship to sacrifice. That the protagonists are gay men is almost irrelevant in this story that engages the mind as well as the emotions. THE PHOENIX is fantastic writing and storytelling of the highest order. This is one book not to be missed. Highly recommended. Book does contain same gender romance- make sure you have parent approval.

4 Violent Sands THE SCROLL WILL DESTROY... For generations, the copper scroll has remained buried, concealing the treasure it protects and the prophecy it contains. Now that secret is about to be unleashed. In the right hands, the scroll could bring about ancient Israel's freedom from Roman occupation, but used improperly, it could destroy her. EVERYTHING THE MAN KNOWS... After watching Roman soldiers murder his father and pillage his homeland, Barabbas, a warrior zealot and sworn protector of the scroll, has become a broken man, physically and emotionally. His quest for vengeance and Roman blood, his love for a peace loving woman, and his commitment to the mysterious scroll pull him in vastly different directions. AND HE WILL BE KILLED... Death and betrayal loom around every corner as Barabbas searches for a truth that he has yet to fully understand-the force that drives him forward and ultimately requests the ultimate sacrifice to be made by a man. OR REMADE. Walk Across the Sea Ever since she was three years old, Eliza Jane McCully has lived in the lighthouse at Crescent City, California, where her father is the keeper. Now thirteen, Eliza has many responsibilities, helping her father to keep the light burning, and eagerly awaiting the birth of her new baby sibling. One day while chasing her stubborn goat across the pathway to the island, she is caught by a wave. A Chinese boy saves her goat and warns her about the wave just in time. Eliza is confused, because her father has taught her that the Chinese are evil heathens. An unexpected tragedy causes Eliza to doubt her own beliefs as well as questioning her father's. When the townspeople run the Chinese out of Crescent City, Eliza watches in horror, unable to do anything. But when the boy who rescued her comes to her for help, Eliza must make the ultimate decision. Is she is brave enough to openly defy her father? A Family of Strangers is the story of a young farm girl, Kate, who is transported from England for daring to resist rape. The story details the hardships of the one-year ship's journey to Australia and the challenges she finds once she lands. During the span of the novel, Kate goes from a near child, trusting and innocent, to a sharp business woman. The people she meets along the way are her family of strangers, the only family she has in this strange and savage land. I read that Sanchona spent many years researching her novel, and her hard work shows.

5 Echoes of Andersonville is the engaging, very readable story of a captured 15-year-old Union drummer boy and a bitter young Confederate prison guard. Their lives become woven together against a backdrop of battles, dramatic escapes, hangings and enough flying limbs and bad guys to keep an avid video-game warrior engaged. Set during the turbulent years of the American Civil War, Echoes of Andersonville is the compelling story of Andy Parker, a young patriotic boy from Rhode Island who runs away from home to join the Union Army in During the Army of the Potomac's fierce struggle with the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the 1864 Battle of the Wilderness, he is captured and sent to Andersonville, the South's most notorious prison camp. The history of America's most tragic period comes alive for young readers as the incredible saga behind one of the Civil War's little known facts is revealed through a courageous young soldier's extraordinary survival experience. Then Came Faith An edgy novel that runs many parallels with the current day tragedy of Katrina to the aftermath of the Civil War. Moreover, this gritty novel from a gifted writer addressees the greater healing that begins in life, when we are courageous enough to lay aside our preconceived notions and personal prejudices. The Civil War is over; Elizabeth wants to help the South heal and repent of its past Andre swears never to forgive the North for what they did to his family. Elizabeth has traveled to this war-ravaged city to minister to the people devastated by the conflict having been a strict abolitionist who was part of the Underground Railroad she seeks to help the South understand the transgression of slavery. Andre and Elizabeth s attraction is immediate and obvious, but they quickly discover how diverse two people can be in their values and beliefs. Even in the midst of their warring points of view, Andre cannot help but notice Elizabeth s courage and resilience and remarkable impact in the face of fierce opposition. Through the commitment of three former slaves, he discovers secrets from his family s past that force him to face head on his own views of the intrinsic worth and dignity of all people.