Using Historical Fiction and Informational Books Together in Teaching History

Historical fiction is a genre in literature that is written in a specific time period or to portray information about a time period or historical event. According to Sylvia Vardell, "Historical fiction may be one of the most difficult genres to promote."  Most children love to read realistic fiction, but may see historical fiction as boring.  According to critic, Jo Carr, informational books can be divided into two categories:  "nonfiction that stuffs in facts, as if children were vases to be filled, and nonfiction that ignites the imagination, as if children were indeed fires to be lit."  Children are enjoying informational books more than ever.  Using the two genres together to teach history can be a powerful tool.  When studying the Montgomery Bus Boycott, you can pair the following books together:  Freedom Walkers and Walking to the Bus-Rider Blues.  The historical fiction book, Walking to the Bus-Rider Blues, is set in June 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama.  The fictional character, Alfa Merryfield, learns from the bus boycott to "walk the walk and talk the talk" in the spirit of nonviolence.  Freedom Walkers is an informational book about Rosa Parks and her refusal to give up her bus seat which sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.  Both historical fiction and informational books must contain accurate information.  Providing sources of information other than textbooks can be very motivating for children.