Distant Mirror

Young adult historical fiction brings the past alive through stories of adventure, suspense, and mystery. The genre is both complex and controversial, encompassing novels that range from romance and fantasy to stark historical realism. The book examines the various approaches to young adult historical fiction and explores the issues that it has engendered. Part One focuses on the broader issues spawned by the genre itself, including its various subgenres - the line between fiction and fact; to what degree must an author adhere to historical accuracy?; time boundaries; the diary format; the protagonist as the outsider; who is entitled to write what?; and literary concerns such as the relationship between accuracy and readability. Part Two explores issues of contemporary interest, such as race, class, gender, the immigrant experience, religion, war, and nationalism. Thought-provoking discussions of how these elements are treated in historical novels, with emphasis on how current cultural values have shaped the fiction, are presented. Finally, the question of whether novels in this genre are bound by anything other than their respective period setting is posed, and it is contended that there are features common to YA historical novels that not only set the genre apart from other YA fiction, but also contribute something unique to the larger genre. The genesis for much classroom debate, suggestions for class discussions and writing assignments as well as sample written responses of these debates from the authors' classes are included. Teachers, librarians, instructors of young adult literature courses, and teen readers will find this an insightful analysis of YA historical fiction.

Young adult historical fiction brings the past alive through stories of adventure, suspense, and mystery. The genre is both complex and controversial, encompassing novels that range from romance and fantasy to stark historical realism. The book examines the various approaches to young adult historical fiction and explores the issues that it has engendered. Part One focuses on the broader issues spawned by the genre itself, including its various subgenres and literary concerns such as the relationship between accuracy and readability. Part Two explores issues of contemporary interest, such as race, class, gender, the immigrant experience, religion, war, and nationalism. Finally, the question of whether novels in this genre are bound by anything other than their respective period setting is posed. The genesis for much classroom debate, suggestions for class discussions and writing assignments as well as sample written responses of these debates from the authors' classes are included. Teachers, librarians, instructors of young adult literature courses, and teen readers will find this an insightful analysis of YA historical fiction.

Rebecca Hogue-Wojahn - VOYA

These authors, one a retired English professor and the other a professor of English, provide a thoughtful discussion of the many issues within young adult historical fiction. They divide the book into two sections, beginning with a short history of the genre, and then tackling some of the controversies and concerns of the genre, such as who is entitled to write about what topics, the influence of modern thought in historical character's actions, and the importance (or not) of historical accuracy. The second part discusses familiar themes in historical fiction, including race, religion, and war, and examines select titles, both current and from past years, that revolve around the themes. All chapters end with extensive notes, and the volume itself includes lengthy bibliographies. At first glance, the text is dense, but topics are identified with subheadings and peppered with quotes that break up the reading effectively. The research and discussion in this title is thought provoking, well supported, and presents both sides of the issues. Writers, serious historical fiction enthusiasts, scholars, and instructors of young adult literature courses will find this volume an excellent overview of the many issues and trends in historical fiction for young adults. 2006, Scarecrow Press, 240p.; Index. Bibio. Source Notes. Further Reading., PLB $42.. Ages adult professional.

Joanne Brown is retired from her position as a professor of English at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she taught courses in writing fiction, American drama, and adolescent literature. Nancy St. Clair is an associate professor of English at Simpson College in Indianoloa, Iowa, where she has just completed a long term as chair of the English Department and served as the Director of the Cornerstone and Senior colloquium programs. Joanne Brown and Nancy St. Clair are also authors of Declarations of Independence: Empowered Girls in Young Adult Literature, 1990-2001 (Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2002).