Exploring History through Young Adult Literature

Book excerpt: Giving students opportunities to read like historians has the potential to move their thinking and understanding of history in monumental ways. In Exploring History through Young Adult Literature: High School, Volume 2 each chapter presented in this volume provides high school readers with approaches and activities for pairing a young adult novel with specific historical events, eras, or movements. Chapters include suggested instructional activities for before, during, and after reading as well as extension activities that move beyond the text. Each chapter concludes with a final discussion on how the spotlighted YA text can inspire students to be moved to take informed action within their communities or beyond. Through the reading and study of the young adult novels students are guided to a deeper understanding of history while increasing their literacy practices.