What are the characteristics of middle reader historical fiction?

Middle grade historical fiction books typically blend history with adventure or coming - of - age stories. Take 'The Sign of the Beaver' by Elizabeth George Speare. It combines the story of a young boy left alone in the wilderness in colonial times with his growth and understanding of the Native American culture around him. The language used is not too difficult, so that middle - graders can easily read and enjoy them.

These books usually simplify complex historical events. They don't go into all the nitty - gritty details that an adult historical book might. For instance, in 'Johnny Tremain', the story of the American Revolution is told in a way that is exciting and understandable for middle - graders. It focuses on the adventure and the main events related to the revolution.

Historical fiction for middle schoolers often has relatable characters and simple yet engaging storylines. It also focuses on teaching important lessons from the past in an interesting way.

One characteristic is its focus on making history accessible to middle school students. It often uses engaging language and relatable characters. For example, it might tell the story of a young person during a historical event, which helps students better understand the context and significance of that era.

These novels tend to have a strong sense of place. If it's a historical fiction novel about ancient Rome, it will describe the city, the Colosseum, the markets, etc. They also explore themes relevant to the historical period such as freedom, equality, or war. The language used can sometimes be period - appropriate, which can introduce new vocabulary to young readers. Moreover, they can give a different view of historical events than what is typically presented in textbooks, making history more complex and interesting.

Middle school European historical fiction often has relatable characters. For example, in 'Catherine, Called Birdy', Birdy is a young girl with typical adolescent problems, but set in a medieval English context. It also simplifies complex historical events. 'The Book Thief' simplifies the horror of Nazi Germany enough for middle schoolers to understand. Another characteristic is the vivid description of the setting. In 'I, Claudius', the Roman court and its intrigues are vividly depicted.

It often features young heroes or heroines facing challenges in a medieval setting. There might be elements like knights, castles, and quests.

One characteristic is that they are usually set in a specific historical period. For example, if it's about the Middle Ages, it will have details like the clothing, the social hierarchy, and the way of life back then. Another is that they often have a young protagonist. This helps middle school students to relate to the story more easily. And they tend to simplify the historical events to some extent so that they are understandable for the target age group.

Accuracy in historical details is crucial. In 'The Birchbark House' which is about the Ojibwa people in the 19th century, the author does a great job of depicting their culture, traditions, and daily life. This helps students learn about a different time and culture while enjoying the story. Also, a good plot is essential. It should be engaging and keep the readers interested from start to finish, like in 'Catherine, Called Birdy' where the feisty main character's adventures in medieval England are both fun and educational.

Middle school level historical fiction books often have engaging characters. For example, in 'The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963', the Watson family members are very vivid. They are relatable for middle school students. Another characteristic is that they usually simplify complex historical events. So, in 'Number the Stars', the story of World War II is told in a way that is easy for middle - schoolers to understand. And they often have a strong moral or theme, like friendship and courage in 'Johnny Tremain'.