Grades
PreK - 12
The Best Historical and Realistic Fiction Books for Your Classroom
Revisit history and the important lessons they teach with these engaging reads for students.
The Best Historical and Realistic Fiction Books for Your Classroom
Teach children the who, what, where, when, and why of major events and how they shaped the world by filling your classroom with historical and realistic fiction.
When you’re teaching about topics that might be difficult for students to fully understand, these books can serve as a gateway to another time and place.
For instance, you can use the Show Me a Sign Trilogy by Ann Clare LeZotte to teach about the history of Deaf and Hard of Hearing, disabled, and marginalized youth. Spark more conversation in your classroom with this Ann Clare LeZotte discussion guide, which includes questions and extension activities for each of the three books in the trilogy: Show Me a Sign, Set Me Free, and Sail Me Away Home.
Meanwhile, you can teach students about immigration, activism, and social injustice with the Front Desk novels by Kelly Yang, which tell the story of a young girl who moved to America from China with her parents. Plus, download this free PDF teaching guide to engage your students in a conversation about the important themes raised in the novels.
Additionally, Wildoak is a compelling middle-grade novel that delves into intricate connections between humans and the natural world, and raises themes of friendship, confidence, and resilience. Download the Wildoak teaching guide for discussion questions, research topics and prompts, and other activities to support your students’ understanding of the book.
There is also Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust, a gripping historical fiction graphic novel that explores the Holocaust and Jewish cultural history. Use this resource guide to kick off important discussions about hope, resistance, courage, and history with your students.
Lastly, introduce students to the realistic fiction read The Parker Inheritance. The discovery of a lost letter vaults Candice into a mystery and a multigenerational truth about a contemporary Southern town's racist past. This free discussion guide for The Parker Inheritance includes activities and resources to address important topics and increase engagement with the text.
After reading these books, have your students imagine what they would do if they were in a certain character’s shoes. Ask them how they would feel in similar circumstances — or how a character might react if they lived in today’s world.
Shop historical fiction and realistic fiction titles for your classroom library below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen comes a brand-new, spine-tingling adventure about two kids and their fight for survival on the unforgiving trails of Mount Everest.
Twelve-year-old Hazel Rothbury stows away aboard the Titanic and, with the help of a porter named Charlie and a first-class passenger named Sylvia, she sets out to explore the great ship, uncovering a haunting mystery--until the ship hits an iceberg and she must fight to save herself and her friends.
Mary's struggle to save herself is at the core of this penetrating and poignant novel that probes our perceptions of ability and disability.
A riveting standalone companion to the Schneider Family Book Award winner, Show Me a Sign by Deaf author and librarian, Ann Clare LeZotte and a searing exposé of ableism, racism, and colonialism that will challenge you to think differently about the dignity and capacity within every human being.
Deaf heroine, Mary Lambert, is our guide through a breathless, exquisitely plotted adventure, this time taking us from 19th century Martha"s Vineyard to Europe as Mary sets out to discover what her future holds.
In this award-winning series, fiesty and resilient Mia uses her voice to champion for immigrants' rights while navigating her own immigrant identity.
It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?
The story of Mia and her family and friends at the Calivista Motel continues in this powerful, hilarious, and resonant sequel to the award-winning novel Front Desk.
In this award-winning series, fiesty and resilient Mia uses her voice to champion for immigrants' rights while navigating her own immigrant identity.
In this award-winning series, fiesty and resilient Mia uses her voice to champion for immigrants' rights while navigating her own immigrant identity.
Mia Tang is living the dream: attending journalism camp at the San Francisco Tribune! But when her story ideas keep getting shot down, she"ll have to work with her friends to get back on top.
When the fates of a snow leopard, a child, and an ancient forest collide, the unimaginable can happen.
National Book Award winner Neal Shusterman and acclaimed illustrator Andrés Vera Martínez present a graphic novel exploring the Holocaust through surreal visions and a textured canvas of heroism and hope.
The discovery of a lost letter vaults Candice into a mystery and a multigenerational truth about a contemporary Southern town's racist past.
Thrilling graphic novel adaptations of the bestselling "I Survived" series!
Hardcover Book
I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005: A Graphic Novel (I Survived Graphic Novel #6)
Barry's family tries to evacuate before Hurricane Katrina hits their home in New Orleans. But when his little sister gets terribly sick, they're forced to stay home and wait out the storm. Overnight the levees break, and Barry's world is literally torn apart. He's swept off by the floodwaters, away from his family. Can he survive the storm of the century — alone?
Best-selling author Alice Hoffman delivers a stunning novel about one of contemporary history's most acclaimed figures, exploring the little-known details of Anne Frank's life before she went into hiding.
This delightful mystery is a marvel of incisive wit and extraordinary craft from the beloved, award-winning author Deborah Hopkinson.
With his trademark skill, Alan Gratz delivers an action-packed and insightful story of two kids whose lives connect in unexpected ways, and reminds us how the past and present are always more linked than we think.
From acclaimed author Alan Gratz comes a pulse-pounding novel about facing fears and fighting for what matters most.
In this thrilling historical adventure set during World War II, Steve Rogers (AKA Captain America) and his young sidekick, Bucky Barnes, encounter threat like none they've ever seen — a Ghost Army.
Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her descendants an impossible decision: "You have a choice — one million dollars or a clue."
Best-selling author Jennifer A. Nielsen weaves an extraordinary tapestry of survival and disaster in this magnificent thriller.
Critically acclaimed author Sharon Cameron weaves a taut and affecting thriller ripe with intrigue and romance in this alternately chilling and poignant portrait of the personal betrayals, terrifying injustices, and deadly secrets that seethe beneath the surface in the aftermath of World War II.
As Audra embarks on a journey to deliver the mysterious package, she faces unimaginable risks, and soon she becomes caught up in a growing resistance movement. Can joining the underground network of book smugglers give Audra a chance to rescue her parents?
There are two things Trevor loves more than anything else: playing war-based video games and his great-grandfather Jacob, who is a true-blue, bona fide war hero. But as the pair retrace Jacob's steps, Trevor begins to wonder about Jacob's heroism, the truth about the battle he fought, and importance of genuine valor.
Newbery medalist Lois Lowry's poignant story of a girl living through the Spanish Influenza pandemic sadly seems more resonant than ever before. Now, with a brand new introduction from the author!
