We’ve been doing a lot of talking recently about historical fiction. For example, you read my historical fiction version of Margru’s story. We’ve also read a lot of picture books about forced immigration that are historical fiction, say Veronica Chambers’ Amistad Rising. What make these books good historical fiction?
You have all just read what I consider to be good works of historical fiction. For your next blog post you will be writing about why they are. But in order to do so you need to first think about what elements are necessary for a work of historical fiction to be good. So let’s make a list here. We will then look for specific quotes and/or examples from Amistad Rising to prove these points and write a blog post using this information to explain just how and why Amistad Rising is a good work of historical fiction. You can then use the same process to write your own blog post tomorrow.
RUBRIC FOR GOOD HISTORICAL FICTION
HISTORICAL ELEMENTS:
- Includes authentic language (from the time/place) – might include some words in foreign language
- references real places, ex. New London, New Haven, etc.
- references real people, ex. John Quincy Adams
- references authentic objects, belongings, clothing, etc. – ex. sugar cane knives
- references specific dates, ex. 1839
- includes quotation from person of the time
- authentic ways of daily life based on research
FICTIONAL ELEMENTS:
- includes description using several senses
- might include a theme
- uses poetic devices ex. alliteration
- uses figurative language ex. metaphors, similes
- includes a range of emotions
- style – format (journal, letters, story)
- point of view -first, second or third person “Stand here with me…”
- has interesting plot development
- includes great characters you care about
- might include believable dialogue
Veronica Chambers’ fictionalized telling of a true event in Amistad Rising is a fine example of historical fiction. In this case, Chambers has mostly stuck with the facts, embellishing them with some imagined speeches and thoughts. She begins the story very compellingly asking the reader to imagine him/herself back in 1839 when the story took place. “Stand here with me on the shores of New London, Connecticut. Feel the cool breezes on your face. Feel the dirt on your feet; this land is far from ordinary.” (1) Her facts are carefully researched. For example, she writes of John Quincy Adams defending the captives. Her use of figurative language is excellent as in the following passage: “Savoring the word, he let it melt like sugar on his tongue.” (20) For those interested in an introduction to the Amistad story, I would recommend this book.
So now, it is your turn. Write a good post about the work of historical fiction you read. It must have at least one paragraph, three reasons and examples, and a wrapping-up sentence. Then read it over, revise as necessary, proofread (and spell check), and then when it feels ready — publish!