Good Historical Fiction For Tweens

By Karyn Shields


The years between the ages of eight and twelve can be particularly challenging for many youngsters. They are struggling with many things. Not only are they trying to establish friendships, they are also learning a lot at school. Being a strong reader is one of the best ways to really make education a positive experience. Many studies have shown that children who read a lot do much better and go on to higher paying jobs.

Finding the right genre to get kids interested is typically the biggest challenge. One of the best ways to be both entertained and to learn is through a good selection of historical fiction for tweens. This age group, the in between stage, is one of the most difficult to shop for. There are plenty of early readers aimed at younger children. There are also many books specially written for teens. But finding just the right combination for the tween group can be very challenging.

Regular trips to the library or local book store provides one of the best ways to get kids interested. They should be given plenty of opportunities to choose their own books and pursue their interests. Often finding well written historical fiction about a topic the child is studying in school is a great way to develop the reading habit. Suddenly a whole new world opens up to them and this can really be a life altering event.

Many children enjoy reading books that feature the same characters in a series. This allows them to get to know the characters, just like real friends. It also helps a young reader because they do not have to focus on learning a whole new set of names and personalities. In fact, many parents and teachers say that finding a really good series is often the breakthrough that gets the children on the road to reading success.

Authors who write for this younger age group must really care about what they do. They want to both educate and entertain their audience. A good book will combine many elements. It is vital that the story line moves along quickly. Younger readers do not have the patience to work their way through something that is too slow. In addition, the characters must be engaging and believable.

Although there is a great case for the educational use of television and video, there remains a very strong case for reading at home and in class. More and more teachers are assigning short readings of historically based books to help their students understand. This teaching strategy works well for many time time periods, from the stone age, to the Romans and right up to the twentieth century.

Learning about local history through fiction is a wonderful experience. Children love to read about places close to home. This can be linked to field trips in the community and opportunities to visit museums and exhibitions.

Once children find out the historic themed books can be fun and exciting they will soon become avid readers. They will also get a great sense of satisfaction when they learn all about major historical figures and events, such as George Washington, Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King. Getting a good start on their education will always be an advantage.




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