I was guilty of indulging in historical fiction as a middle schooler, just like Marley Dias. The problem was that most of the historical fiction we read in school featured white boys going to war or bonding with their dogs (think Johnny Tremain and Where the Red Fern Grows). In contrast, at home I devoured Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books and the Scholastic Royal Diaries series, which offered a more diverse perspective.
While there is still much work to be done in diversifying book categories, it’s heartening to see progress being made in publishing historical fiction for middle schoolers today. This realization prompted me to compile a list of thirty historical fiction books that span from Medieval China to the 1973 Chilean coup d’etat, offering a more inclusive range of stories.
Ancient History
Pharaoh’s Daughter by Julius Lester
In the midst of slavery and hardship, a remarkable story unfolds – that of Moses, an innocent Jewish boy who finds himself in the unlikely care of an Egyptian princess. However, it is his sister Almah’s journey that holds a profound secret. As she repeatedly sacrifices her own desires to safeguard her younger brother, Almah begins to experience an unexpected spiritual shift, gradually drawing closer to the Egyptian deities than her ancestral Hebrew faith.
This captivating middle-grade novel masterfully weaves together two perspectives, vividly transporting readers back in time to Ancient Egypt.
Goddess of Yesterday by Caroline B. Cooney
Against the dramatic backdrop of the events leading up to the Trojan War, Anaxandra’s life takes a significant turn as she is whisked away from her childhood home to serve as companion to King Nicander’s daughter, Princess Callisto. This arrangement is set in motion, but little does Anaxandra know that her tranquil existence is about to be disrupted by the arrival of pirates on the island where she now resides.
The only survivor of this devastating invasion, Anaxandra seizes an opportunity for survival by assuming the identity of Princess Callisto and embarking on a perilous journey as she finds herself in the midst of Menelaus, the king of Sparta, and his stunning wife, Helen.
Medieval History & The Renaissance
The Crystal Ribbon by Celeste Lim
In ancient China, 12-year-old Li Jing lived a humble life as the daughter of a tea farmer struggling to make ends meet. A disastrous harvest forced her family to make an impossible decision: sell their young daughter into marriage to secure their future. Though initially treated poorly by her new family, Li Jing’s situation only worsened when she was subsequently sold once more.
It wasn’t until she found solace in the unlikely companionship of a spider and a nightingale that she mustered the courage to flee her circumstances, setting her on a journey towards freedom and self-discovery.
The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz, Illustrated by Hatem Aly
In the vein of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, three individuals converge in 1241 France, their paths intertwining as they recount the tales of three children embarking on a perilous quest with their trusted greyhound companion. William, a monk sent on a sacred mission from his monastery, finds himself alongside Jacob, a young Jewish boy fleeing persecution and Jeanne, a humble peasant girl concealing her extraordinary prophetic abilities.
United in their determination to safeguard a treasured holy text from the flames of destruction, they will embark on a journey that will test their resolve and challenge their understanding of the world around them.
The Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras
In the midst of a tumultuous night in Medieval Scotland, Drest’s life takes an unexpected turn as knights storm her father’s castle. The invaders leave behind only one person – Drest herself – while capturing her entire family. Her father, a renowned warrior, and her five older brothers, who form a formidable war-band, are all taken away. However, fate has other plans for Drest. With her family gone, it falls to her to mount a daring rescue mission.
But as she embarks on this perilous journey, her resolve is put to the test when she befriends a wounded enemy and discovers the dark secrets her brothers have kept hidden.
The Ugly One by Leanne Statland Ellis
In a 15th-century Incan village, Micay, just twelve years old, was ostracized by the community due to the distinctive scar on her face. The villagers’ rejection had left her feeling isolated and uncertain of her place in society. However, everything changed when a mysterious stranger presented her with a baby Macaw, entrusting its care to Micay. As she took on this new responsibility, her self-doubt began to dissipate, replaced by a growing sense of confidence and purpose.
This newfound self-assurance would ultimately propel Micay towards a remarkable journey – one that would see her become a respected shaman in Machu Picchu’s Sun City, working tirelessly alongside others to alleviate the devastating drought that had been plaguing their people.
Leonardo’s Shadow: Or, My Astonishing life as Leonardo da Vinci’s Servant by Christopher Grey
In 1497, Giacomo toiled as a servant in the esteemed household of the renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci had been tirelessly laboring on his iconic masterpiece, the Last Supper, for almost two years. As the deadline loomed, the weight of debt threatened to crush him, with Milan’s shopkeepers poised to take action against him if he failed to settle his outstanding debts.
Amidst this predicament, Giacomo concocted a plan to rescue his master, but first, he needed to persuade da Vinci to join forces and see it through.
The Second Mrs. Gioconda by E.L. Konigsburg
The tale of Leonardo da Vinci’s mysterious painting is shrouded in intrigue, weaving together threads of myth and reality. At its center lies an invented apprentice named Salai, whose connection to the Florentine duchess adds a layer of complexity to the story. This narrative conundrum seeks to unravel the enigma surrounding why da Vinci, Europe’s most renowned painter, would devote his brushstrokes to the second wife of an obscure merchant.
Moreover, the painting itself has become one of his most celebrated works, begging the question: what secrets lie hidden beneath its surface?
The 18th & 19th Centuries
Attack of the Turtle by Drew Carlson, Illustrated by David A. Johnson
As the American Revolutionary War raged on, Nathan, a 14-year-old apprentice, found himself at the forefront of an innovative endeavour alongside his older cousin David Bushnell – building the first-ever submarine. However, this ambitious project was not without its challenges. To truly support his people’s fight for independence, Nathan would need to confront his deep-seated fear of water and unravel the mystery surrounding his neighbors’ suspected Tory allegiances.
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
In 1793, Philadelphia was ravaged by a devastating Yellow Fever epidemic that claimed countless lives, including the young playmate of fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook. As the fever spread like wildfire down by the docks, Mattie’s family business flourished, bringing in a welcome influx of customers seeking solace and treatment.
Initially, this newfound prosperity sparked ambitious dreams in Mattie’s mind – she envisioned herself one day running her own coffee house, a haven where people could gather to share stories and find comfort. However, as the fever continued its relentless march through the city, Mattie faced an existential threat: not only was her family’s livelihood at risk, but so too was her very own future, which had once seemed so bright and full of promise.
Juba! by Walter Dean Myers
This captivating narrative blends meticulously researched historical facts with a deeply personal account, brought to life through photographs and maps. The story centers around William Henry Lane, a renowned African American dancer of the 1800s, more commonly known as ‘Master Juba.
‘ His distinctive style of minstrel dancing not only earned him recognition from notable figures like Charles Dickens but also facilitated his global travels and had a lasting impact on the development of step dancing, jazz, and tap – genres that continue to evolve today.
The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich
In stark contrast to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series, which depicted a pioneer lifestyle, Louise Erdrich’s stories revolve around Omakayas, a resilient seven-year-old Ojibwa girl who survives a devastating smallpox epidemic on Madeline Island.
After her family’s demise, Omakayas is taken in by a nearby Ojibwa community and grows up amidst the rhythms of Lake Superior’s seasons, from tanning moose hides to encountering curious bear cubs and sharing spine-tingling ghost stories around the campfire.
Clover Moon by jacqueline Wilson, Illustrated by Nick Sharrat
In the midst of Victorian era London’s poverty-stricken slums, 12-year-old Clover struggles to make ends meet. Her stepmother, consumed by disdain, frequently lashes out at Clover, who has taken on the responsibility of caring for her younger half-siblings. Meanwhile, Clover’s father, a factory worker, becomes increasingly distant as his workload intensifies.
Amidst this bleak backdrop, Clover finds solace in her imagination and passion for drawing, using these creative outlets to temporarily escape the drudgery of her daily routine. However, everything changes when she encounters a kind-hearted stranger with a plan to help her transcend her circumstances once and for all.
CaliCo Girl by Jerdine Nolen
In the midst of tumultuous times, 12-year-old Callie Wilcomb’s world is turned upside down with Abraham Lincoln’s arrest. As Virginia secedes from the Union, the prospect of freedom beckons for Callie and her family. By seeking refuge at Fort Monroe, they gain temporary reprieve from their enslavers’ grasp. However, this newfound liberty comes with its own set of challenges and emotional scars stemming from their arduous journey as slaves.
As Callie navigates this uncharted terrain, she begins to forge a new sense of purpose and identity, but the shadows of her past continue to haunt her.
Silent Thunder by Andrea Davis Pinkney
In this poignant novel, the title alludes to the coping mechanism employed by enslaved children who must stifle their thoughts and queries to survive. For 11-year-old Summer, this psychological repression is particularly challenging as she grapples with fundamental questions about her identity, her father’s whereabouts, and the turmoil that often surrounds her mother. Her older brother Roscoe, too, harbors secrets and unasked questions, adding to the emotional weight of their daily lives.
Set against the backdrop of the Civil War era, both siblings are resolute in their pursuit of a better future, despite the perils they face.
The Detective’s Assistant by Kate Hannigan
Nell, an 11-year-old girl, finds herself at a crossroads. The only person standing between her and the orphanage is her Aunt Kate Warne, a trailblazing detective who worked for the Pinkerton Detective Agency during the Civil War era. In order to persuade her aunt to take her in, Nell decides to leverage her skills by helping her aunt solve mysteries. Among these challenges lies a high-stakes mission that takes her team to the doorstep of President Lincoln’s life.
As Nell navigates this perilous path, she must rely on her wit, resourcefulness, and determination to prove herself worthy of her aunt’s consideration.
The 20th CenturY
Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko
In 1900, San Francisco’s Gilded Age was in full swing, but for 13-year-old Lizzie, the city’s glamour was overshadowed by her own passion for science. Confined to a finishing school where her interests were dismissed, she found solace in accompanying her physician father on house calls. These excursions allowed her a glimpse into the darker side of the city: rampant rat infestations, overcrowded living spaces, and a mysterious illness claiming lives.
Her father, like the newspapers, denied the plague’s existence. But when her best friend Jing vanished and she discovered Chinatown was under quarantine, Lizzie’s curiosity got the better of her. She began to investigate, driven by a desire to save her friend and uncover the truth that others seemed determined to keep hidden.
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
As Joey, a horse with a gentle soul, trudged through the trenches of World War One, his experiences were etched in his memory like scars on his coat. Sold to the army at a young age, Joey was tasked with carrying soldiers into battle, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was meant for more. Despite his small stature, Joey’s heart swelled with courage as he witnessed the bravery of the men under his care.
Yet, as the war raged on and Joey found himself captured by the Germans, his thoughts turned to the one being who had ever truly understood him – Albert, the fifteen-year-old boy who had first trained him. Joey longed for the peaceful fields they had once roamed together, where the only sounds were birdsong and the rustling of leaves.
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk
On a small island off Massachusetts, in the 1920s, the story of Crow, a twelve-year-old orphan, unfolds. Abandoned as an infant in a boat, she was found by Osh, an eccentric fisherman, and Miss Maggie, their neighbor. The islanders’ initial suspicions that she might be from a nearby leper colony led to some ostracism, but Osh’s care and Miss Maggie’s love helped Crow grow up.
Despite being surrounded by warmth and affection, Crow longed to uncover the truth about her birth parents and the circumstances surrounding their departure. With Osh and Miss Maggie’s reluctant consent, the trio embarked on a journey to unravel the mysteries of Crow’s past.
Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper
In the idyllic North Carolina town where eleven-year-old Stella resides, a sense of calm has persisted for some time. However, this tranquility is not mirrored by the stark inequalities that exist. The Jim Crow South’s rigid segregation manifests itself in the visibly superior white school building and the stark disparity in medical treatment afforded to African Americans, with the town’s white doctor being a prime example.
Yet, the Ku Klux Klan’s malevolent presence has been relatively dormant, a fact Stella is keenly aware of as she navigates her everyday life. However, all that changes in 1932 when the economic hardships brought on by the Great Depression force the KKK to re-emerge with a vengeance. As Stella’s father and two other black men decide to exercise their right to vote, the very lives of Stella’s family and the entire community are put in peril.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
In Mexico, Esperanza enjoyed a life of luxury, shielded by her father’s protection and a bevy of servants at her beck and call. Her closet was a treasure trove of exquisite dresses, a far cry from the rugged reality that awaited her when her father passed away. With her mother, she left behind everything they once knew, settling in a Californian camp for Mexican farm workers who toiled tirelessly under harsh conditions.
Esperanza’s new life demanded hard physical labor, a far cry from the pampered existence she once enjoyed. Amidst the struggles, a strike by the workers erupted, fueled by the dire working conditions. While Esperanza deeply empathized with their plight, her own aspirations drove her to earn enough money to bring her beloved Abuelita to America, a dream that now seemed within reach.
The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis
In the midst of the Great Depression’s turmoil, 12-year-old Deza’s world is turned upside down. Her father, once a pillar of stability, loses his job and sets out on a journey to find work, forcing the family to leave their Indiana home in search of a brighter future. As if this upheaval wasn’t enough, Deza’s mother soon finds herself without a job as well, leaving them with no choice but to navigate the harsh realities of homelessness.
Amidst this chaos, Deza must dig deep within herself to find an inner strength that allows her to cope with the uncertainty and keep hope alive as she searches for her dad and adapts to their new life in Flint, Michigan.
The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
In the midst of World War Two’s chaos, nine-year-old Ada’s life is a stark contrast to the world outside her one-room apartment in London. Confined to her small space by an abusive mother, Ada has never ventured beyond her humble abode or experienced life beyond the window she gazes out at. Her club foot only adds to her sense of isolation.
However, when fate intervenes and she’s sent to the countryside for evacuation, Ada is exposed to a world where love, care, and acceptance become her new reality. But as the war finally begins to subside, a question lingers: will Ada and her brother be forced to return to their bleak past or can they forge a brighter future?
Fred Korematsu Speaks Up by Laura Atkins & Stan Yogi, Illustrated by Yutaka Houlette
Fred Korematsu’s story began in the United States, where he was born to parents who had made the country their home for over two decades. However, everything changed when the US entered World War II and the government ordered all people of Japanese descent – including Fred’s family – to relocate to internment camps. Despite his family’s urging him to comply with the orders, Fred refused to cooperate, a decision that would ultimately lead to his incarceration and a landmark Supreme Court case.
The Last Cherry Blossom by Kathleen Burkinshaw
In a small town called Hiroshima, Yuriko’s childhood was filled with the sound of sirens and air-raid drills, as World War II raged on. However, the Japanese government had strict control over news about the war, leaving Yuriko unaware of its true nature. But everything changed in 1945 when a bomb hit Hiroshima, altering her life and that of her hometown forever.
Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz & Renée Watson
In ‘Betty Before X’, a novel co-authored by the daughter of civil rights icons Malcom X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, along with acclaimed novelist Renée Watson, readers are transported to 1945 Detroit, where an eleven-year-old Betty is seeking connection at home. However, instead of finding solace within her family, she turns to her activist church community for a sense of belonging.
This newfound involvement ultimately leads her to volunteer with the Housewives League, an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting black-owned businesses, marking the beginning of her journey as a young activist.
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
In the tumultuous year of 1947, India’s independence from British rule led to an unexpected outcome – the creation of two separate nations: India and Pakistan. The partition aimed to ease the longstanding tensions between Hindus and Muslims, but for Nisha, a 12-year-old girl with both Muslim and Hindu heritage, this division sparked confusion about her own identity.
As she navigated the treacherous landscape of civil unrest and danger, Nisha found solace in writing letters to her deceased mother in a diary, hoping that her words would help her reconcile her dual identities and find a sense of wholeness once more.
The Warden’s Daughter by Jerry Spinelli
Within the confines of a Pennsylvania prison, Cammie’s upbringing was uniquely shaped by her father’s occupation as the warden. Growing up without a maternal influence, she yearned for a sense of nurturing and care. As she approached the threshold of adolescence, Cammie found herself craving a substitute mother figure in 1959 at the tender age of thirteen.
In a desperate bid to fill this void, she began scrutinizing the women residing within her father’s prison walls, weighing her options as potential maternal stand-ins.
I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosín, translated by E.M. O’Connor
In the tranquil town of Valparaiso, Chile, 11-year-old Celeste Marconi had always known a life filled with love, laughter, and a strong sense of community. However, everything changed in 1973 when a new government seized power, deeming anyone involved in artistic expression or political activism as threats to the state. As tensions mounted and classmates vanished without explanation, Celeste’s world began to unravel.
With her parents forced into hiding, they made the heart-wrenching decision to send Celeste to America, hoping she would find safety across the ocean. Though she struggled to adapt to her new life in Maine, Celeste’s longing for Chile and her family never wavered.
One True Way by Shannon Hitchcock
In the late 1970s in North Carolina, Allie and Sam’s community was deeply entrenched in heteronormative values. The girls personally witnessed the venomous rhetoric directed at their lesbian teachers, which instilled a sense of unease within them. As a result, they chose to conceal their romantic feelings for each other. Although driven by distinct motivations to conform to family expectations, both Allie and Sam sought ways to reconcile their desires with societal norms.