Historical Fiction for Teens

Books in this list were selected to appeal to teens with a wide range of reading and maturity levels.

This booklist was contributed by Appleton Public Library Reference and Information Services Staff, 1/07 

Civil War, 1861-1865

An acquaintance with darkness by Ann Rinaldi(1997)When her mother dies and her best friend's family is implicated in the assassination of President Lincoln, fourteen-year-old Emily Pigbush must go live with an uncle she suspects of being involved in stealing bodies for medical research.

Braving the fire by John B. Severance(2002)Jem joins the Union Army but is not sure of his motives or what he hopes to accomplish, particularly since the Civil War has divided his family and caused much violence and confusion in his life.

The bushwhacker : a civil war adventure by Jennifer Johnson Garrity(1999)While the Civil War rages in Missouri and Rebels destroy their farm home and scatter their family, thirteen-year-old Jacob and his younger sister find refuge in an unlikely place.

A dangerous promise by Joan Lowery Nixon(1994, 1996)After being taken in by Captain Taylor and his wife in Kansas, twelve-year-old Mike Kelly and his friend Todd Blakely join the Union army as musicians and see the horrors of war firsthand in Missouri.

The last silk dress by Ann Rinaldi(1988)During the Civil War, Susan finds a way to help the Confederate Army and uncovers a series of mysterious family secrets.

Moon over Tennessee : a boy's Civil War journal by Craig Crist-Evans(1999)thirteen-year-old boy sets off with his father from their farm in Tennessee to join the Confederate forces on their way to fight at Gettysburg. Told in the form of diary entries

The red badge of courage by Stephen Crane(1990)During his service in the Civil War a young Union soldier matures to manhood and finds peace of mind as he comes to grips with his conflicting emotions about war.

Soldier's heart : a novel of the Civil War by Gary Paulsen(2000)Eager to enlist, fifteen-year-old Charley has a change of heart after experiencing both the physical horrors and mental anguish of Civil War combat.

With every drop of blood by James Lincoln Collier(1994, 1997)While trying to transport food to Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War, fourteen-year-old Johnny is captured by a black Union soldier.