Historical fiction is one of my absolute favorite genres, especially for read-alouds. I connect with the people in history, not the random dates or dry measurements; so it’s always been my favorite way of learning about a specific time period.
Calico Bush by Rachel Field
This is such a well-written story set during the little-known time period of the French and Indian war. I love the main character, the feeling of the setting, and the fact that there is no modern attitude thrown in. 😉 Just a note that there are some realistic pioneer hardships that may take a little editing for younger readers.
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
(I’m beginning to notice a pattern here. A lot of my favorite books have that cool circle on the front.) 😉 This book is soooo amazing! It’s a study in perfectly interesting writing right from the beginning. Mr. Bowditch is a super interesting character that is very well-developed and realistic. 😉
The Princess Adelina by Julie Sutter
I loved reading about this Esther-type woman who had such an impact for Christ during the early medieval spread of true Christianity. It is a such a beautiful story of faith and faithfulness. 😉 Just a note that there are a few intense scenes connected with the paganism of the people’s surrounding them.
The Doll with the Yellow Star by Yona Zeldis McDonough
I read this very recently and loved seeing the child’s perspective of fear, loss, and love during World War II. Quite the well-written, realistic tearjerker that manages to handle the hard parts discreetly. For more encouragement to pick it up, read my review. 😉
The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum
This story of an ordinary family reaching out to help their countrymen and neighbors during early World War II is one of my family’s favorite read-alouds. It is one of those great books that accidentally teaches you something while you are enjoying it to death. 😉
Many of these would make great read-alouds as you peel apples for a delicious autumn pie. 😉
For links to the other blogs participating in this party and more information on entries for the grand prize, visit our hostess blog. 😉
Once Upon An Ordinary 
Okay, I need to find a copy of “The Winged Watchman.” It sounds really good. I also liked “Carry On, Mr. Bowditch.” I remember Mom reading it aloud to us and several other neighbor children for school. 🙂
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Oh, yes!!! It is soooo good. 😉 That’s really special!
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I can agree about all these books but I’ve never read The Princess Adelina. 🙂
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Hmmm…we should fix that. 😉
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Oohhh….Carry on Mr. Bowditch is amazing! I was going to put it on my list, but other books surpassed it 😉 Seriously, choosing only five books is sooo hard! And Calico Bush and Winged Watchman are also great reads! I haven’t read the other two, but I’m going to have to try them sometime!
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I know!!! Who ever decided this thing should be punished. 😛 *looks at Rebekah and myself* Wow, we have a lot of favorites in common!
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Carry on Mr. Bowditch is such a wonderful book!
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Indeed! 😉
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I really enjoyed “Carry on, Mr. Bowditch”! And I have to try “The Winged Watchman”!! It sounds super good!
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Oh, yes!!! Mr. Bowditch. 😉
It is really good!!!! And since I happen to know you like World War II fiction, I think you’ll enjoy it even more for that reason. 😉
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Carry On, Mr. Bowditch was SUCH a good book! I have reread it too many times to count. 😉
CutePolarBear
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Me too. 😉
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I’ve read all of those except for The Winged Watchman. Good books there! Do you think the library would have The Winged Watchman? Also, as I don’t have the book “Carry On, Mr. Bowditch” can you remind me of what it is about? Thanks!
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Thanks! The library doesn’t usually have The Winged Watchman in my experience (just because it’s a little bit of an older book); but it’s still worth a try. 😉 You never know.
“Carry On, Mr. Bowditch” is set in Colonial America. It’s about a self-educated man who was really awesome at math and consequently corrected the charts people were using for sailing and a lot of the other methods they were using. (He really was a brilliant guy, and the romance in the story is pretty sweet too.) 😉
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Aww.. okay. Oh, then I need to find that book and read it again! I love Colonial America time period books! Thanks for replying!
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I need to read Carry on Mr. Bowditch. My brothers love it.
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It’s really good! And it’s not just a “boy book” either. 😉 His wife in the story is a really sweet role model. 😉
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