Historical Fiction for Upper Elementary Students
Step into the past with our collection of vocabulary lists for the most spellbinding historical fiction for upper elementary students. Travel through time and explore richly woven tales that bring history to life, while expanding your word horizons. From medieval castles to revolutionary adventures, these books will whisk you away on a journey through the ages. Immerse yourself in the drama, mystery, and excitement of bygone eras, all while uncovering a treasure trove of words that will transport you to worlds long gone but never forgotten!
Al Capone Does My ShirtsIn 1935, twelve-year-old Moose moves to Alcatraz Island with his parents and his autistic sister Natalie. With a little help from his new friend Piper, Moose learns to adapt to life at the notorious prison.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham1963When the Watson family pays Grandma a visit in Alabama, they find themselves caught up in the battle for civil rights.
Turtle in ParadiseDuring the Great Depression, an eleven-year-old girl tackles challenges and finds adventure when she moves in with relatives in Key West, Florida.
When My Name Was KeokoThis historical novel follows Sun-hee and her brother Tae-yul as their family grapples with political change, prejudice, and war during the Japanese occupation of Korea.
Esperanza RisingWhen tragedy strikes, Esperanza's family has to leave their ranch in Mexico and move to a farmworkers' camp during the Great Depression.
ElevenAlex loves planes and dreams of getting a dog for his birthday. But September 11th, 2001—Alex's 11th birthday—becomes a day when he will experience both tragedy and hope.
Ben and MeAn Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse AmosIn this work of historical fiction, a mouse named Amos helps Benjamin Franklin create some of his famous inventions.
Indian No MoreIn 1957, an Umpqua girl and her family relocate to Los Angeles after the government declares that their tribe no longer exists.
The Night DiaryIn 1947, British India was divided into two separate and independent countries: India, a mostly Hindu nation, and Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim nation. The partition leaves Nisha, a girl with both Hindu and Muslim heritage, without a clear place to call home. She and her family must make a treacherous journey to try to find a safe haven in a country rocked by turmoil and violence.
City of OrphansMaks, a newsboy living in New York City in the late 19th century, tries to prove his sister's innocence after she is accused of theft.
Bud, Not BuddyDuring the Great Depression, a ten-year-old boy hits the road in search of the father he has never known.
Our Only May AmeliaMay Amelia Jackson grows up on the American frontier at the end of the 19th century.
A Single ShardA Single Shard tells the story of a homeless orphan who helps a potter earn a royal commission in 12th-century Korea. Master these words that Linda Sue Park shaped into a Newbery Medal winner.
Elijah of BuxtonBorn in a Canadian settlement for runaway slaves, naive and well-meaning Elijah is forced to confront the realities of slavery when he attempts to recover stolen money that would help free a friend's enslaved family.
The Shakespeare StealerThis novel, set in Elizabethan England, tells the story of an orphan boy who attempts to steal a copy of Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Crispin: The Cross of LeadAfter being accused of theft, orphan Crispin is on the run in medieval England. As he crosses the country and evades his enemies, he discovers a startling secret about his true identity.
The Boy Who DaredThis novel, based on true events, recounts the story of Helmuth Hübener, a 16-year-old German boy who created and distributed leaflets to counteract Nazi propaganda.
The War That Saved My LifeDuring World War II, ten-year-old Ada and her brother are sent from London to the countryside, where Ada experiences freedom and kindness for the first time.
Finding LangstonAfter moving to Chicago from Alabama, an eleven-year-old boy finds solace and inspiration in the poetry of Langston Hughes.
The Journey of Little CharlieIn order to repay a debt, twelve-year-old Charlie agrees to help the cruel Cap'n Buck to capture several fugitive slaves. But when Charlie is confronted with the horrors of slavery, he is forced to reconsider his plans.
The Midwife's ApprenticeIn medieval England, an orphaned girl named Brat becomes an apprentice to Jane Sharp, the local midwife.
Playing Atari with Saddam HusseinBased on a true story, this novel follows an eleven-year-old Iraqi boy and his family as they endure turmoil and violence during the 1991 Gulf War.
Johnny TremainThe year is 1773, and fourteen-year-old Johnny is an apprentice silversmith in Boston. When a terrible accident threatens his future, Johnny must quickly adapt — just as the American colonists join forces to break free from British rule.
One Crazy SummerIn the summer of 1968, three sisters travel to California to visit their estranged mother. While there, they learn about the fight for equality and civil rights.
P.S. Be ElevenThis sequel to One Crazy Summer focuses on Delphine, the eldest Gaither sister, as she begins sixth grade and navigates unexpected changes in her family.
Gone Crazy in AlabamaWhen sisters Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern visit relatives in Alabama, they find themselves in the middle of an unexpected family feud. Learn these words from the last book in the Gaither Sisters trilogy.
The Red UmbrellaAfter the Communist revolution in Cuba, fourteen-year-old Lucía Álvarez and her brother are sent to the United States to make a new life in Nebraska.
Letters from RifkaA young Jewish girl immigrates to America from Russia in the aftermath of World War I.
The Evolution of Calpurnia TateThe year is 1899, and 11-year-old Callie enjoys studying Darwin and exploring the natural world with her grandfather — but her traditional mother wants Callie to spend her time engaged in "ladylike" pursuits like cooking and sewing. As a new century dawns, Callie must struggle to balance her desires and interests with the expectations of society.
Inside Out & Back AgainFleeing to America to escape the Vietnam War, Hà and her family end up in Alabama, where they must adapt to a new culture. This novel in verse was inspired by author Thanhha Lai's own experiences.
The Lions of Little RockSet in Arkansas in 1958, this novel tells the story of two courageous twelve-year-old girls who fight against segregation in their community.
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie RobinsonAfter she moves to New York City from China, Shirley struggles to fit in and make friends — until she discovers baseball.
Sarah, Plain and TallIn this award-winning book set in the late 1800s, a young woman answers an ad placed by a Midwestern man seeking a wife.
White BirdA Wonder StoryIn this companion to Wonder, Julian's grandmother tells the story of her life in France during World War II.
Prairie LotusIn this historical novel, Hanna, a girl with Chinese heritage, moves to the Dakota Territory in 1880 and struggles to overcome the prejudices of her new community.
A Long Way from ChicagoDuring the Great Depression, Joey and Mary Alice Dowdel spend summers with their eccentric and adventurous grandmother.
SugarTen-year-old Sugar endures grueling work on a sugar plantation, but her friendships with the plantation owner's son and new Chinese laborers offer her hope and community.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My CrySet in Mississippi during the Great Depression, this classic novel follows Cassie Logan and her family as they face prejudice and economic hardship.
Moon Over ManifestDuring the Great Depression, Abilene Tucker tries to solve a mystery in her father's hometown of Manifest, Kansas, while also learning about Manifest's fascinating past.
Wolf HollowDuring World War II, a 12-year-old girl named Annabelle befriends a reclusive veteran and contends with a vicious bully.
The Kite FightersIn 15th-century Korea, brothers Kee-sup and Young-sup impress the king with their ability to construct and fly kites.
The Sword in the TreeIn King Arthur's England, a young boy encounters knights and robbers as he tries to restore peace to the land.
The Secret SchoolFourteen-year-old Ida dreams of becoming a teacher. When her town's one-room schoolhouse must shut down, Ida decides to secretly teach the other students and prepare for her own high school entrance exams.
Orphan Train GirlA sixth-grader and an elderly woman discover they have something in common — years of moving from one foster family to another.
The Brooklyn NineThis novel traces a family's deep connection to the sport of baseball through nine generations.
The Blackbird GirlsIn this work of historical fiction, two Soviet girls are sent to a new home after the Chernobyl disaster.
Sophia's WarDuring the Revolutionary War, a twelve-year-old girl works as a spy and identifies a traitor to the American cause.
Show Me a SignInspired by historical events, this novel explores tensions between a 19th-century community of deaf islanders and an ambitious scientist.
A Night DividedSeparated from her father and brother by the Berlin Wall, Gerta comes up with a dangerous plan to reunite her family.
We Dream of SpaceSet in 1986, this novel traces the ups and downs of three siblings as they wait for the launch of the Challenger space shuttle.
HiroshimaThis novella tells the story of a young survivor of the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan.
The War I Finally WonIn this sequel to The War That Saved My Life, Ada continues to weather World War II in a crowded house in the English countryside.
TroublemakerWhen riots break out in Los Angeles, sixth-grader Jordan Park decides he must go to his family's store to protect his father.
Lotus Bloom and the Afro RevolutionLotus Bloom, a seventh-grade girl who loves the vintage style of the 1970s, learns to speak up and fight for the freedom of expression after facing a dress code violation at school.
The I Survived SeriesDive into this collection of historical fiction books that recount the vivid adventures of young characters who endure and survive major historical disasters and events.
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