Happy Tuesday and welcome back to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! This week's topic is a Back to School themed freebie and I've decided to share Books To Complement A History Lesson. Here we go, in no particular order:
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith - Women's efforts during WWII hardly gets any page time during history class. I would love to see this novel about the WASP incorporated on the syllabus.
A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen - This is a must read MG about a family split apart by the Berlin Wall - definitely make for interesting class discussion.
Mare's War by Tanita S. Davis - This YA novels features the African American battalion of the Women's Army Corps - another wonderful jumping off place to dive into women's involvement in WWII.
Dodger by Terry Pratchett - This would be such a fun historical-fantasy novel to include in a unit on Charles Dickens, especially the audiobook!
The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters - Cat Winters is one of my favorite new historical-fantasy authors. She expertly blends historical fact with paranormal elements - in this case 1900s suffragette movement and a hypnotist who is the real deal - and makes them still feel timely.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel - Everyone learns about Henry VIII and his wives in school - this just puts a fascinating spin on the story and tells it from the perspective of Thomas Cromwell, a lawyer who was also Henry VIII's chief minister.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - This YA WWII historical fiction novel is an absolute must read. If it isn't already taught in schools, it really should be.
11/22/63 by Stephen King - This is one of my sci-fi time travel novel is one of my favorite King books and it would make an epic complement to a history lesson on JFK.
Kindred by Octavia Butler - I actually read this for a college class (not history), but I think it could be a very powerful to read in conjunction with studying about the antebellum South.
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein - This is another YA WWII historical fiction must read. If it isn't already taught in schools, it should be.
Have you read any of these novels? Do you have any recommendations for me? Thanks as always for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below.
I love that there are so many great historical fiction books out there to compliment a lesson in history. My sister is an AP US/Gov teacher, so she is always reading historical fiction.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see what real life events show up in historical fiction. :)
DeleteI think you are right. Fictional stories make history so real. These are wonderful recommendations! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHere's my list of stories about teaching in tough schools. I hope you will stop by!
For sure! Thanks for sharing your list with me, Deb!
DeleteThe Book Thief was on my list as well. Personally, I think that more historical fiction books should become mandatory. The will definitely spark more interest in history.
ReplyDeleteCarmen / Carmen`s Reading Corner
I would think so!
DeleteThanks for sharing!
This is a fantastic idea for a post! So often kids are reading the same old tired novels for school, and I would love to see a few of these newer books on the curriculum. The Book Thief is an absolute favourite of mine. :)
ReplyDeleteYes! It certainly would!
DeleteGreat post and books.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Thanks for coming over, Sherry!
DeleteHi! Great list :) I'm especially interested in A Night Divided!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
Leslie
Thanks, Leslie! I hope you'll get to try it. :)
DeleteAnother amazing list, Lauren. I have only read one book on your list The Book Theif--which I adored). I like the should of all the other books you mention,especially because I love history. I have a copy of Code Ne Verity and really must read it. Same with Kindred. Now I have more books to add to my wish list! Thanks for sharing. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope you love them!
DeleteWhat a brilliant list! I'm adding a bunch to my TBR. They look like they's make for a great and unique women's history class.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT for this week.
Thanks, Louise! I think they would! :)
DeleteFlygirl looks great and A Night Divided is totally new to me, but it's good to see a MG book that covers that topic and generates discussion. 11/22/63 is another one I'd like to read.
ReplyDeleteI don't read a lot of MG, but I'm glad I tried A Night Divided. Thanks for coming over, Greg. :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea. If I was an English teacher (or social studies, for that matter) I would be all over that and require my students read some historical fiction to enhance understand. Great idea. Books with memorable school scenes
ReplyDeleteSo would I! Thanks for sharing, Anne. :)
DeleteThis is a great list! Flygirl sounds really interesting! Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming over, Ashley!
DeleteI haven't heard of some of these books. I'll definitely be checking them out!
ReplyDeleteHope you get the chance to try some out, Ashley!
DeleteOh my gosh, I haven't read ANY of these!! Adding them to my TBR right away!
ReplyDeleteHappy reading, Erica!
DeleteYay for Cat Winters. I have an ARC of Odd & True and can't wait to dive into it. And of course a list like this must include The Book Thief.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try Odd & True - happy reading, Alicia!
DeleteAwesome list! I really want to read the Book Thief and 11/22/63!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my TTT!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Hope you love them, Ronyell!
Deletegreat theme and great list! I loved so much Wolf Hall and Sequel, can't wait for #3 in 2018, finally!! Emma at Words And Peace
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try Bringing Up the Bodies soon! Thanks for coming over, Emma!
DeleteI haven't read any of these, but I like your spin on this week's topic. I'll have to check some of these out. Here is my TTT
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! :)
DeleteThe Book Thief and Code Name Verity, such great books!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/22/top-ten-tuesday-121/
Yes!! :)
DeleteThanks for sharing!
You have some great covers there! I love 11/22/63 by Stephen King - but never did read The Book Thief! I really must.
ReplyDeleteHope you are well, ducky! x
You so should!
DeleteDoing good, Sassy! You? :)