As I review the timelines mentioned in YA novels according to the Epic Reads article (found here: https://www.epicreads.com/blog/the-age-of-ya-a-timeline-of-historical-fiction/) I notice that many of the eras that are written about have are either focused around, love, death, or war. Those are the categories I’m seeing each time. Either it is a romantic time period in which we must discuss love when we look back on it fondly or there are knights and magic, which we must also discuss. Those are the common threads I’m seeing, even in the novels I chose to read this week, one was a nostalgic time period, the 1970’s, but it centered around a serial killer in New York. The other, was set around the most devastating event I’ve ever lived through, the attack on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. When we look back at history, these are the things that stand out, love, death, and war.
I could see this genre as a useful tool as someone with a social studies background. I am a history nut, I love studying past wars with American involvement. I love hearing stories from the mouths of WWII veterans, or Vietnam veterans, or any veteran who has faced fear head on. So naturally, I love reading about WWII in particular. When I discovered Alan Gratz, I couldn’t stop reading his books. There are several of his about WWII, so historical in the sense that some of the details are accurate, the missions, the locations, etc. But he creates characters based off of a blended stories some with truth, others fully fiction. This interest made me want to read more. That is where I see the value in it. If I have a student who is fascinated with the 80’s for whatever reason, then that is my way in. I will through every book about the 80’s I can to that student, in hopes that they will love those novels.
I don’t think we necessarily need ALL of our readers to fall in love with historical fiction, but I do think it could be a great way to bring specific students into reading more frequently. It may start with WWII historical fiction, but where it leads them, no one can say. It is a starting point for those reluctant readers. That is how I see it.
Jason's Thoughts 