other hist fic

Historical Fiction

Johnny Tremain By Esther Forbes

For Johnny Tremain, an apprentice to a Boston silversmith in the year 1774, things are going very well. He is the most skilled of the three apprentices, and therefore has been promised to marry the middle granddaughter of the old silversmith. But one day, everything changes. He is wounded in an accident with molten silver, and his hand will never work again. He is forced to take up another trade, but will anyone accept him, with his maimed hand? He becomes mixed up in the struggle against the British, and many real figures walk through this work of fiction.
Reviewed/Read: 6th Grade.

Wolf by the Ears By Ann Rinaldi

Harriet Hemmings leads a pleasant life -- she is tutored, well dressed, and treated most properly. But however good her life may be, Harriet cannot escape the truth -- she is a slave to the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson. And there are rumors around her home, Monticello, that Harriet and her brothers might be more than Jefferson's slaves -- they might be his children! Based on a true story, Wolf by the Ears is the tale of Harriet's choice between Monticello, the place she always considered to be her home, and freedom.
Reviewed/Read: 7th Grade.

A Break With Charity By Ann Rinaldi

Susanna English is the daughter of a wealthy Salem colonist in 1692. She does not seem to fit in with the other girls of Salem, and yearns to join the circle of girls who secretly meet at the parsonage. One day, Ann Putnam, the leader of the circle, reveals the true agenda of the circle to Susanna: to gain attention and power by acting possessed by "witches." The town of Salem believes the girls story, and sets out on a witch hunt. The girls name their "tormentors," and the officials of Salem arrest and execute them. Susanna is horrified by this, but Ann warns that unless Susanna remains silent about their plot, Susanna's family will be named next. How can Susanna choose between keeping silent or speaking out, when either way may cause the death of innocents?
Reviewed/Read: 7th Grade.

Swift Rivers By Cornelia Meigs

The year is 1838, and after being thrown out of his uncle's house, 18 year old Chris Dahlberg decides to attempt what has never been done before -- he will raft timbers down a tiny tributary of the Mississippi river all the way to Saint Louis. Without a single cent, Chris begins to cut the logs with only one goal in mind: to earn enough money for his grandfather to be comfortable for the rest of his life. He begins the journey, facing one trial after another, and leaves the reader hoping for a safe arrival in Saint Louis.
Reviewed/Read: 8th Grade.

Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison By Lois Lenski

Based on a true story, Indian Captive is the tale of a Pioneer girl captured by the Seneca Indians. Separated from her family, Molly has lost all hope. Slowly she adjusts to Seneca life. She is accepted as one of them, and they become her family. But will Molly ever see her true family again? Will she stay with the Seneca for all her life? Read this book for the answers -- and more!
Reviewed/Read: 7th Grade.

Float back to Katie's Korner! Discuss these books!

	Johnny Tremain By Esther Forbes For Johnny Tremain, an apprentice to a Boston silversmith in the year 1774, things are going very well. He is the most skilled of the three apprentices, and therefore has been promised to marry the middle granddaughter of the old silversmith. But one day, everything changes. He is wounded in an accident with molten silver, and his hand will never work again. He is forced to take up another trade, but will anyone accept him, with his maimed hand? He becomes mixed up in the struggle against the British, and many real figures walk through this work of fiction. Reviewed/Read: 6th Grade.
	Wolf by the Ears By Ann Rinaldi Harriet Hemmings leads a pleasant life -- she is tutored, well dressed, and treated most properly. But however good her life may be, Harriet cannot escape the truth -- she is a slave to the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson. And there are rumors around her home, Monticello, that Harriet and her brothers might be more than Jefferson's slaves -- they might be his children! Based on a true story, Wolf by the Ears is the tale of Harriet's choice between Monticello, the place she always considered to be her home, and freedom. Reviewed/Read: 7th Grade.
	A Break With Charity By Ann Rinaldi Susanna English is the daughter of a wealthy Salem colonist in 1692. She does not seem to fit in with the other girls of Salem, and yearns to join the circle of girls who secretly meet at the parsonage. One day, Ann Putnam, the leader of the circle, reveals the true agenda of the circle to Susanna: to gain attention and power by acting possessed by "witches." The town of Salem believes the girls story, and sets out on a witch hunt. The girls name their "tormentors," and the officials of Salem arrest and execute them. Susanna is horrified by this, but Ann warns that unless Susanna remains silent about their plot, Susanna's family will be named next. How can Susanna choose between keeping silent or speaking out, when either way may cause the death of innocents? Reviewed/Read: 7th Grade.
	Swift Rivers By Cornelia Meigs The year is 1838, and after being thrown out of his uncle's house, 18 year old Chris Dahlberg decides to attempt what has never been done before -- he will raft timbers down a tiny tributary of the Mississippi river all the way to Saint Louis. Without a single cent, Chris begins to cut the logs with only one goal in mind: to earn enough money for his grandfather to be comfortable for the rest of his life. He begins the journey, facing one trial after another, and leaves the reader hoping for a safe arrival in Saint Louis. Reviewed/Read: 8th Grade.
	Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison By Lois Lenski Based on a true story, Indian Captive is the tale of a Pioneer girl captured by the Seneca Indians. Separated from her family, Molly has lost all hope. Slowly she adjusts to Seneca life. She is accepted as one of them, and they become her family. But will Molly ever see her true family again? Will she stay with the Seneca for all her life? Read this book for the answers -- and more! Reviewed/Read: 7th Grade.