Historical Fiction

Historical fiction stories are realistic fiction stories that are set in past times.  The time frame of these stories can be medieval times through as recent as a generation ago.  The setting is often real, yet the characters are fictional.  

Open Ended Discussion Questions

from Differentiating Reading Instruction by Laura Robb

• What clues do you use to determine the time period and the place of the book?
• What does the book teach you about family life and relationships between family members?
• What does the book teach you about the role of men and women during these times?
• What kinds of struggles and problems does the main character face?  
• Would you enjoy living during the time period of the book? Why or why not?
• What problems or conflicts does the main character face that you deal with in your life?
• Does the main character's problems remind you of your own?  Why or why not?
• How doe people cope with economic problems such as scarcity of food?  Money?  Jobs?
• How are minorities portrayed?  Are they stereotyped?  Give examples?