Young Adult Historical Novels
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Hoffman, Alice -
Incantation
Early 16th Century - Spanish Inquisition
Estrella has grown up in a devout Catholic family, so she thinks. As the Spanish
Inquisition rages around her, Estrella learns that her family has been living
a double life. They are Jews living as Catholics hoping to survive the terror
that surrounds them, until their secret is revealed.
Hoobler, Dorothy and Thomas -
The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn
18th Century - Japan
The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn - Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler
Seikei is the son of a Japanese tea merchant. His one dream, however, is to
grow up to become a great Samurai, a destiny he is denied because of his merchant
class heritage. While on a business trip with his father, a series of fortuitous
events lead Seikei on a dangerous adventure where he must be as courageous and
honorable as a Samurai.
Anderson, Laurie Halse -
Fever 1793
Late 18th Century - United States
In 1793 the yellow fever epidemic hit the city of Philadelphia. Thousands of
people fled the city as the death total soared. Anderson's novel tells the story
of a girl name Mattie as she mourns for the dead, cares for the sick, and fights
to regain her family and their livelihood.
Cushman, Karen -
Rodzina
Late 19th Century - United States
Rodzina is an unattractive, stubborn, Polish girl. After the death of her family
she is put on the Orphan Train and sent west. Because she is not young or pretty,
she is likely to only be adopted as slave labor, a fate which she refuses to
accept. What follows is the story of Rodzina as she cares for the younger children,
watches them find families, and eventually finds herself.
Hobbs, Will -
Jason's Gold
Late 19th Century - United States - Alaskan Gold Rush
Drawn by the promise of Alaskan gold, fifteen-year-old Jason makes the long
trip from Seattle to the Yukon to join his older brothers. Along the way he
meets strange and interesting people, survives a moose attack, and encounters
other forces of nature.
Sayres, Meghan Nuttall -
Anahita's Woven Riddle
Early 20th Century - Iran
Anahita is part of a nomadic tribe in early 20th century Iran. As is custom
with her people, her father begins to arrange a marriage for her as she comes
of age. Anahita, however, suggests a different approach to choosing a husband.
Combining her two great loves, weaving and riddles, Anahita proposes weaving
a riddle in to her wedding carpet and marrying the man who solves the puzzle.
Sayres novel weaves the stories of a girl becoming a woman with the struggles
of a people on the verge of great change, and love of many kinds.
Auch, Mary Jane -
Ashes of Roses
Early 20th Century - United States
Told from the first person perspective of Rose Nolan, a 16-year-old recent Irish
immigrant, Ashes of Roses portrays life as an immigrant in the early 20th century
as well as one of the worst industrial accidents in American history.
Park, Linda Sue -
When My Name Was Keoko
Mid 20th Century - Korea - World War II
Told from the alternating perspective of a brother and sister, When My Name
Was Keoko, tells of a Korean family’s struggle to maintain their identity
in Japanese occupied Korea during the Second World War. After they are forced
to take Japanese names, speak Japanese and abandon many of their Korean customs,
Sun-hee and Tae-yul must also face the consequences caused by their uncle’s
underground resistance paper.
Spinelli, Jerry -
Milkweed
Mid 20th Century - Poland - World War II
Misha, who until recently only had the names "Stoptheif", "Runt"
or "Gypsy", has no history and no family. Wandering the streets of
Warsaw during the Nazi occupation in Poland, Misha yearns to become a Nazi someday
and wear their tall shiny boots and Eagle hats. This is his wish until the day
when he is emptied into the Jewish Ghetto and discovers he was safer being nobody.
Curtis, Christopher Paul -
The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963
Mid 20th Century - United States - Civil Rights
Kenny Watson lives in Flint, Michigan with his mother, father, older brother,
Byron, and younger sister, Joetta. In the summer of 1963 the Watsons take the
children to visit their grandmother in Birmingham, where racial tensions are
high. Though tragedy strikes and their world is thrown into chaos, the Watsons
find strength through each other.
