Module 5: Historical Fiction Book Reviews

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Erdrich, Louise. Chickadee. New York: HarperCollins, 2013. ISBN 9780060577926

 

2. PLOT SUMMARY

At the start of the story, the boys share an unbreakable connection until the kidnapping of Chickadee by two dim-witted brothers who aim to force him into servitude. The family searches for Chickadee throughout the Great Plains while he finds inner strength in the characteristics of the namesake bird which leads him to demonstrate bravery and intelligence. Throughout the story readers meet Two Strike the determined aunt of Chickadee and experience the difficulties and cultural traditions of Ojibwe people during a pivotal period in U.S. history. The narrative balances threatening situations with comedic elements while it shows how survival needs merge with traditional cultural practices.

 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 The historical fiction comes alive through Erdrich's skillful combination of realistic characters and detailed setting descriptions. The story follows two mischievous yet loyal brothers Chickadee and Makoons as they assist their family in a way that feels authentic to both the period and Ojibwe cultural traditions. The glossary of Ojibwe language creates deeper cultural understanding without causing confusion among young readers. The historical events in the story become accessible through real world details about mosquito swarms on Red River oxcart trails and traditional foods like bouyah which stem from authentic historical records. The setting plays a fundamental role because readers discover information about the Great Plains and the Métis population through an included map that shows Chickadee's movements. The narrative combines elements of adventure and survival with essential themes regarding family unity and personal identity. Although the story starts with a difficult situation of kidnapping it receives gentle treatment through humorous moments which leads to discussions about endurance as well as fairness and children's ability to overcome challenges. The author uses her signature mix of warmth and occasional playfulness throughout the book particularly when depicting the foolish kidnapping brothers. The book contains a family tree and author Q&A along with activity prompts that assist young readers in establishing personal and historical connections. Through her traditional storytelling voice Erdrich presents an engaging historical narrative that respects Native American history.

 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

★ School Library Journal: “Erdrich’s storytelling is masterful. Readers will be more than happy to welcome little Chickadee into their hearts.”

★ Kirkus Reviews: “A beautifully evolving story of an indigenous American family.”

Horn Book: “Readers will absorb the history lesson almost by osmosis; their full attention will be riveted on the story.”

Booklist: “Most affecting are the descriptions of Makoons’ loneliness without his brother.”

Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

 

5. CONNECTIONS

This book lends itself to class discussions about Native American culture, historical survival, and sibling bonds.

Other books that explore Native American history or family strength include:

Erdrich, Louise. The Game of Silence. ISBN 0060297891 — The prequel to Chickadee, exploring the journey of Chickadee’s mother, Omakayas.

Bruchac, Joseph. Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two. ISBN 0142405965 — A story of Native American contribution during WWII.

Dorris, Michael. Morning Girl. ISBN 078681358X — Set just before the arrival of Columbus, it tells a gentle story of Taino siblings in the Caribbean.

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yep, Laurence. Hiroshima: A Novella. New York: Scholastic, 1995. ISBN 9780590208321

 

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Sachi is a twelve-year-old girl who lives in Hiroshima, Japan when the Second World War is ongoing. On the morning of August 6th, 1945, the children put on their air-raid hoods when they hear a bomber plane passing above. They have taken off the hoods thinking the danger is over, only to realize the bomber was only a scout plane for the second plane, the Enola Gay. Sachi is suddenly and violently thrust into a world that no one can comprehend. Her sister is dead, the city is in shambles, and she is left with bad burns and a damaged psyche. For years, she hides from the world because people shunned her because of her scars and her radiation sickness. At the end, Sachi is one of the Hiroshima Maidens, a group of young women from Hiroshima who are taken to the United States for surgery. Laurence Yep gives readers an idea of how nuclear war affects individuals and a nation in his story.

 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Sachi is a believable and relatable young character who has the right to be the voice of the children who were affected by the bombing. Her daily life, her fears, and later,  her courage are the emotional price of surviving something like that. The novella’s simple language helps the reader to concentrate on her emotional state and to understand the size of the catastrophe in her way of thinking. The story is based on the actual historical events and is presented in a chronological order starting from the day of the bombing and ending with Sachi being in the United States and coming back to Japan. Even though the story is short, it paints a vivid picture of what the bombing was like and the long way towards healing. Choosing to narrate the story through the eyes of a child survivor helps to simplify the complex issues to be comprehensible to the young readers. The setting is vividly conveyed. The destruction of Hiroshima is also described in detail, the light, the sound, the wind and the pieces of glass flying around to give a picture of the disaster caused by the bomb. Through short present-tense chapters and factual inserts between fictional sections the book achieves both emotional impact and historical accuracy. The story presents itself as a combination of educational content and narrative structure despite occasional abrupt transitions. There are source notes and context in the back matter that make the book feel more real.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publishers Weekly: “Yep's account of the bombing of Hiroshima and its devastating aftermath is at once chilling and searing, hushed and thundering.”

School Library Journal: “His words are powerful and compelling… readers will be moved by her tale.”

5. CONNECTIONS

This novella can serve as a powerful entry point for students studying WWII, Japanese history, or the effects of nuclear warfare. It also invites reflection on empathy, peace, and survival.

Recommended companion reads:

Maruki, Toshi. Hiroshima No Pika. ISBN 0688012973 — A picture book that offers a child’s-eye view of the bombing through illustrations and simple narration.

Morimoto, Junko. My Hiroshima. ISBN 0670846394 — A more personal and visual account of surviving the Hiroshima bombing, told by an actual survivor.

Bunting, Eve. The Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust. ISBN 059046154X — Though not about Hiroshima, this allegorical tale promotes discussion about war, fear, and moral responsibility.

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Phelan, Matt. The Storm in the Barn. Somerville, MA: Candlewick, 2011. ISBN 9780763652906

2. PLOT SUMMARY

The story takes place in Kansas during the devastating Dust Bowl year of 1937 where the main character Jack Clark faces environmental disasters and emotional struggles. The farm faces destructive dust storms while his sister suffers from "dust pneumonia" and he faces bullying because of his shy nature. Jack's discovery of an enigmatic figure in the abandoned barn causes his perception of reality to become uncertain. The mysterious presence could be genuine or it might stem from "dust dementia" which people in his struggling community mention. Jack must find the courage to face the darkness inside the barn because it leads him to discover hidden inner strength.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jack presents as a realistic character because he represents an ordinary boy who strives  to survive during a challenging period. Readers can easily connect with Jack because he wants to protect his family and his sick sister and gain his father's approval. The narrative combines authentic Dust Bowl historical elements such as dust storms and crop failures with the fantastical element of the barn mystery figure which creates a historical and imaginative storytelling experience. The story depends heavily on its setting because the soft illustrations in the book accurately depict the dryness and despair that characterized towns during this period. The story explores three universal themes which remain relevant to modern readers: courage, coming of age and hope against all odds. The author uses minimal text alongside expressive illustrations to create a story that focuses on emotions and atmosphere which makes the book suitable for reluctant readers and fans of graphic novels. Through the blend of historical facts and folklore the story presents an authentic portrayal of how stories combined with bravery function as tools for navigating difficult times.

 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

★ Booklist: “Phelan turns every panel of this little masterpiece into a spare and melancholy window into another era.”

★ School Library Journal: “Children can read this as a work of historical fiction, a piece of folklore, a scary story, a graphic novel, or all four.”

★ Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: “With its appealing format and touch of fantasy, this tale of coming of age in hard times will entice readers who may otherwise be indifferent to historical fiction.”

★ Horn Book: “Measured, masterful panel pacing…a tender, triumphant resolution.”

5. CONNECTIONS

This book is a great conversation starter about environmental hardship, family strength, and using imagination to process trauma. It’s ideal for visual learners and reluctant readers who may be drawn in by the graphic novel format.

Related titles:

Murphy, Jim. Children of the Dust Bowl: The True Story of the School at Weedpatch Camp. ISBN 9780395776087 — A nonfiction account of Dust Bowl children and how they survived and thrived.

Taylor, Mildred D. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. ISBN 9780142401125 — Though set in a different era and region, this novel explores resilience and injustice through the eyes of a young narrator.

Larson, Kirby. Hattie Big Sky. ISBN 9780385735957 — A historical novel about a teenage girl homesteader during WWI, filled with grit and hope, much like Jack’s journey.

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. The War That Saved My Life. New York: Dial Books, 2016. ISBN 9780147510488

 

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In England during World War II, The War That Saved My Life tells the story of Ada, a ten-year-old girl born with a clubfoot, who was kept indoors by her cruel, ashamed mother. When London begins evacuating children to the countryside to escape bombings, Ada escapes alongside her younger brother Jamie. The two are placed with Susan Smith, a reluctant guardian still grieving personal losses. Gradually, Ada starts to learn about the world, how to ride a pony, read, and above all, how to trust. Just when the air raids loom and the war approaches, Ada finds strength and courage she never knew she had and forms a bond with Susan that changes their lives.

 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Ada and Jamie are very believable characters, fearful, strong and loyal to each other as siblings. Ada’s voice, having been shaped by years of neglect and isolation, is unapologetic and truthful. Her progression from wary and defensive to determined and brave gives the story an emotional depth. Susan is complex, reluctant and grieving at first, she becomes a gentle, steady force. Even the children’s mother, though cruel, is written in a way that will resonate with some readers who may be able to identify with feelings of rejection or fear. The story is historically accurate, but it is presented in a child friendly manner. Events like bombings, rationing, and evacuations are realistically portrayed through Ada’s eyes, so that younger readers can understand how they made her feel. A scene in which a war ad terrifies Ada during a movie, or where ration coupons are explained, helps to bring the story back to real wartime events, without overwhelming the reader. The setting is a major character in this story, and it brings wartime Britain to life. From the crowded London flat Ada escapes to the quiet countryside house near a Royal Air Force base, the locations are carefully described, anchoring the story in both time and place. Themes of courage, chosen family, and personal freedom are timeless. Although war is the backdrop, the heart of the story is about emotional healing and the importance of oneself and other people.  These universal themes are still relevant for children today, particularly for those in need or those seeking a sense of belonging. Bradley used first-person accounts of the war and  facsimiles of books and pamphlets published then, which gives it a grounded, well-researched feel.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

★ Kirkus Reviews: “Brisk and honest…Cause for celebration.”

★ Publishers Weekly: “Poignant.”

★ The Horn Book: “Powerful.”

Awards:

Newbery Honor Book

Schneider Family Book Award

Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of the Century

 

5. CONNECTIONS

This book invites discussion on disability, resilience, and the effects of war on children. It pairs well with lessons on WWII history, empathy, and family dynamics.

Suggested related reads:

Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. ISBN 9780547577098 – Another middle-grade WWII novel, focusing on friendship and bravery in Nazi-occupied Denmark.

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Lily’s Crossing. ISBN 9780440414537 – A WWII story set in New York, with themes of loss, courage, and unexpected friendship.

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. The War I Finally Won. ISBN 9780525429203 – The sequel to The War That Saved My Life, continuing Ada’s journey with more challenges and growth.