Introduction

Historical fiction cultivates critical thinking skills as students compare the fiction to factual historical events and consider the author's perspective. The genre helps connect the past to the present, contextualizing modern issues while expanding students' vocabulary and enhancing their imaginative thinking skills. Thus, historical fiction is vital in a balanced reading programme.

Below are suggestions for texts from ten moments in history across the globe, many I have taught and recommended for students to read. It is important that you review each text before teaching or recommending it to ensure that it is suitable for your student's age and your school's context. Some of these texts contain graphic descriptions of violence and may not be appropriate for all readers.

1. Chile - I lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin

"I Lived on Butterfly Hill" by Marjorie Agosin tells the story of Celeste Marconi, a young girl living a peaceful life in Valparaiso, Chile. Her life dramatically changes when a dictatorial regime takes over the government, leading to chaos and her parents' disappearance. Sent to live in Maine for safety, Celeste must adapt to a new culture while holding onto hope for a reunion with her parents and a return to her beloved Butterfly Hill. The book is a poignant tale of displacement, resilience, and the power of hope.

2. Germany - The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak is a poignant story set in Nazi Germany during World War II. It follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl living with a foster family, who finds solace in stealing books and sharing them with others, including the Jewish man hidden in their basement. The novel is a testament to the transformative power of words and the human spirit's resilience in times of adversity.

3. India - The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

"The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani is a poignant story set in 1947 during the partition of India. It follows 12-year-old Nisha, who writes diary letters to her deceased mother, grappling with her identity as she and her Hindu family are forced to leave their home in what is now Muslim Pakistan for the uncertain future of a new India. The journey is fraught with danger, but it's also a quest for Nisha to understand her own identity in a swiftly changing world. The book is a deeply personal examination of partition through the innocent and curious eyes of a young girl.

4. Korea - When My Name was Keoko by Linda Sue Park

"When My Name Was Keoko" by Linda Sue Park is a historical fiction novel set during the Japanese occupation of Korea in World War II. The story, told by siblings Sun-hee and Tae-yul, chronicles the erosion of Korean culture under Japanese rule. Sun-hee, a budding writer, is renamed Keoko, while Tae-yul is forced into service as a kamikaze pilot. Despite the hardships, the novel celebrates resilience, familial bonds, and quiet acts of resistance against oppression. The story culminates with the end of World War II and a hopeful outlook for Korea's future.

5. Lithuania - Between Shades of Grey by Ruth Sepetys

"Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys is a historical fiction novel set in 1941 during Stalin's purges. The story follows Lina, a young Lithuanian girl, who, along with her mother and younger brother, is deported to Siberia. Despite the brutal conditions and severe hardships, Lina clings to hope and courage, expressing her feelings and experiences through secret drawings. The novel is a testament to human resilience in the face of adversity.

6. Nigeria - Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

"Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie takes place in Nigeria during the Biafran War of the late 1960s. The novel is told from the perspectives of three characters: a young houseboy Ugwu, an affluent and revolutionary-minded woman Olanna, and a British expatriate Richard. Their lives intersect and are dramatically reshaped by the political and social turmoil of the war. The novel explores themes of love, race, class, and the struggle for national identity amidst the backdrop of war.

7. Poland - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

"The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" by John Boyne is set in Poland. The main character, Bruno, and his family move from Berlin, Germany, to a house near a concentration camp in Auschwitz, Poland, because his father is appointed as the commandant of the camp. The camp is never explicitly named in the book, but the details provided make it clear that it is Auschwitz.

8. Sierra Leone - A Long Way Gone: The True Story of a Child Soldier by Ishmael Beah

"A Long Way Gone" is a memoir about the author's experiences as a child soldier during Sierra Leone's civil war. The book details how he was separated from his family at a young age and forced to join a group of government soldiers. Ishmael was trained to kill and was constantly exposed to violence and brutality. The memoir is a powerful account of the devastating effects of war on children and provides insight into the experiences of child soldiers and ultimately, the book is a story of survival, resilience, and the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most challenging of circumstances.

9. South Africa - Cry, Beloved Country by Brian Patton

"Cry the Beloved Country" is the deeply moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set against the background of a land and a people riven by racial injustice. Remarkable for its contemporaneity, unforgettable for character and incident, Cry the Beloved Country is a classic work of love and hope, courage and endurance, born of the dignity of man.

10. Vietnam - Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

"Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhha Lai is a coming-of-age tale of a young girl named Hà, who flees war-torn Vietnam with her family and resettles in Alabama. The novel, written in free verse, vividly captures Hà's journey from the familiarities of Saigon, the harrowing escape by boat, to adjust to new realities of American life, including cultural differences and bullying. It's a heartfelt exploration of home, identity, and the enduring power of hope amidst upheaval.