for Literature Circles
Historical fiction books make excellent selections for Literature Circles. This collection was recommended by upper elementary and middle school teachers who follow the Teaching Resources Facebook page and Corkboard Connections blog.
Literature Circle Book Recommendations by Genre
Historical Fiction Books for Literature Circles
Read each book recommendation below and click its cover or the title to read more about the book on Amazon.com. Most of the books also have audio book versions which are great for differentiating instruction, so be sure to look for the link to the audio book when you click through to Amazon.
Fever 1793Â by Laurie Halse Anderson
For 5th grade and up
Fever is about a girl named Matilda who lives through the yellow fever epidemic. She faces death, loneliness and hunger. This story takes place in Philadelphia. Students recommend this book every year to my new 5th graders.
~Â Recommended by Sheila Scherff
Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan
For 3rd through 5th Grades
The book is a historical fiction book about a real person, Charlotte (Charley) Parkhurst, who masquerades as a man in order to realize her dreams in the 1800s. This book is rich in vocabulary and characterization. Cliffhanger chapters allow prediction opportunities. My students beg to continue reading when we come to the end of a reading session.
~Â Recommended by Susan Rae
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner
For 3rd through 5th Grades
Stone Fox is the story of Little Willy, a young boy who is working to save his family’s farm after his grandfather becomes ill. It is a true story of perseverance. It has great character relationships, including the love between a boy and his dog. There is also a surprise, heartwarming ending. I have never had a student not love it!
~Â Recommended by Theresa Addeo
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
For 4th to 6th Grades
This story is about two preteen girls who live in Denmark during World War II. They have to deal with the Nazis occupying Denmark and the persecution of the Jews. This book, although fiction, has many true details of what life was like in Denmark with King Christian X as king and the Nazis occupying the country. There is the element of suspense that existed for the Jews who were trying to avoid capture by the Nazis.
~Â Recommended by Chris Maston
Trouble River by Betsy Byars
For 5th or 6th Grades
This is good adventure story. It has the vernacular of Huck Finn, but not the complexity. Very clean as far as “issues” you are trying to avoid. It’s just a simple, straightforward tale of a boy and his grandma on a raft trying to get to safety.
~Â Recommended by PK Greer
