Enhance your historical fiction collection - and its popularity with readers and value in the classroom - with this wide-ranging guide. After discussion of various aspects of the genre (its importance, history, criteria for evaluation, and methods of presentation), the author takes an in-depth look at 80 of the best historical fiction novels published for this age group in the last 10 to 15 years. For each title there is a brief introduction discussing setting, historical background, and point of view; a list of characters; a detailed plot summary; and ways to introduce the book to students, including important passages for reading or retelling. This versatile tool, written by a recognized expert in children's literature, can be used for readers' advisory, curricular support, title selection, and collection development. Grades 4-8.

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Everything you need to create compelling booktalks featuring outstanding young adult novels. The authors have chosen 100 classic YA titles published over the past 30 years based on literary merit, continued popularity, and availability (all titles are in print); and have categorized them into broad genres (Teen Life, Adventure, Sports, etc.). For each title, they provide an introduction that gives background information on the book and the author; a list of principal characters; a detailed plot summary; critical comment and notes on suitability; material on key themes and subjects, passages for booktalking; and references to sources of more information on the book and the author. Entries also feature selected titles that link these classics to contemporary titles. Building on previous volumes in the Juniorplots and Seniorplots series, this is an information-packed and lasting guide; it is a must-have for librarians who serve teens. Grades 6-12....