HISTORICAL FICTION
FOR GRADES 5 & 6
The Children's
Library/Mt. Lebanon Public Library
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228
www.einetwork.net/ein/mtleb
Little Women
Louisa M. Alcott
The beloved story of the four March sisters. Based, in part, on the childhood of Louisa May Alcott.
1800s, USAThe Fighting Ground
Avi
Twenty-four hours in the life of a 13 year-old boy, taken prisoner by enemy soldiers, are enough to teach him a valuable lesson about war and life.
Revolutionary War, USAHail Columbia
Patricia Beatty
In 1893 Oregon, a visit from Louisa’s Aunt Columbia- a suffragette and “woman to be reckoned with”- turns every ones’ life upside down.
1890s, USAA Gathering of Days
Joan Blos
Thirteen year old Catherine Hull begins her journal in 1830, a time on her New Hampshire farm that proves to be one of the most memorable of her life.
1830s, USASOS Titanic
Eve Bunting
Four Irish children sail on the Titanic’s maiden voyage.
1900sMy Brother Sam is Dead
James and Christopher Collier
During the Revolutionary War, a boy’s brother joins the colonists in their fight against the British, while his father remain a British supporter.
Revolutionary War, USAThe Watsons Go To Birmingham- 1963
Christopher Paul Curtis
A Michigan African-American family takes a trip to Alabama in 1963 in this humorous and touching novel.
1960s, USAThe Ballad of Lucy Whipple
Karen Cushman
In 1849 a twelve year-old girl moves with her family to a California mining town.
1800s, USAThe Midwife’s Apprentice
Karen Cushman
A homeless medieval girl tries to find her place in the world.
Middle AgesThe Door in the Wall
Marguerite De Angeli
Once destined to become a knight, Robin becomes crippled in the plague that sweeps through fourteenth century London. With tutoring and help from the Brothers, however, Robin eventually learns that there are ways other than knighthood in which to serve a king. A Newbery Medal winner.
1300s, EnglandGranny Was a Buffer Girl
Berlie Doherty
On the eve before Jess leaves to spend a year in France, her family gathers to reminisce about the memorable and special times that shaped each of their lives.
1900s, EnglandThe Death of Evening Star
Leonard Everett Fisher
The excitement of life aboard a New England whaling ship in 1840 is recounted in the diary of 14 year-old Jeremiah Poole.
1840s, USAThe Sound of Coaches
Leon Garfield
The adopted son of a coachman and his wife longs to discover his origins in this funny adventure of eighteenth century England.
1700s, EnglandLily’s Crossing
Patricia Reilly Giff
At her Grandmother’s New York summer home, Lily befriends a Hungarian refugee.
World War II, USAStepping on the Cracks
Mary Downing Hahn
Margaret gets a new view of the school bully when she finds that he’s hiding his brother, an army deserter.
World War II, USATom Cringle: The Pirate and the Patriot
Gerald Hausman
A 14 year old lieutenant in the British navy faces pirates, an uncharted wilderness, man-eating sharks, and brutal battles in Jamaica.
War of 1812, JamaicaBoston Jane: An Adventure
Jennifer L. Holm
A sixteen year old “young lady” travels from Philadelphia to the Pacific Northwest, where she awaits her fiance while living an unusual life among the traders and Chinook Indians of Washington Territory.
1800s, USAAcross Five Aprils
Irene Hunt
With one brother in the Union Army and the other in the Confederacy, Jethro Creighton and his family face the cruel reality of war.
Civil War, USAWhen Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
Judith Kerr
Nine year old Anna’s family is forced to flee Hitler’s Germany.
World War II, GermanyBridger: The Story of a Mountain Man
David Kherdian
This adventure-filled novel covers two years in the exciting life of Jim Bridger, the western explorer and legendary mountain man.
1800s, USAA Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
E. L. Konigsburg
In heaven, Eleanor of Aquitaine reflects on her fascinating life in exciting twelfth century England and France.
1100s, England & FranceTrue North
Kathryn Lasky
A 14 year-old Boston girl aids a fugitive slave girl on the Underground Railroad.
1800s, USAA Family Apart
Joan Lowery Nixon
Six city children go west on the Orphan Train.
1800s, USASing Down the Moon
Scott O’Dell
Bright Morning, a Navaho Indian girl, tells of the two years in her life when the Navaho people were forced to travel 300 miles to Fort Sumner. They were kept prisoner there for four years.
1800s, USAThe Friendship
Mildred Taylor
In 1933, four Mississippi children witness a tragic racial incident.
1900s, USAKeystone Kids
John R. Tunis
The Brooklyn Dodgers overcome prejudice.
1900s, USADragonwings
Laurence Yep
A Chinese immigrant in San Francisco successfully builds and flies a biplane. Based on fact.
1900s, USA
These and other great books are available at
The Children’s Library
Mt. Lebanon Public Library
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228
412/531-1913 www.einetwork.net/ein/mtleb 10/01