Historical fiction is an excellent teaching tool to help kids learn history. Listed below are descriptions of some of the best and most recently published books that kids ages nine and older will learn from and also really enjoy! The books are listed chronologically, according to the time represented, beginning with the 17 th century.

The Walls of Cartagena, by Julia Durange, and illustrated by Tom Pohrt, is a tale with great insight into the slave trade after the ships brought people from Africa on their way to owners in the Americas. Calepino is a brilliant African boy who has been taken in by a rich woman in Cartagena and who has educated and taught him many languages. But when he turns 13, he begins to see the sickening and savage ways the slaves are treated. He now desires above all to help others. This little known part of history about the many Africans that came to the West Indies before heading to their owners is enlightening and educational.

Hard Gold: The Colorado Gold Rush of 1858, by award winner Avi, is another great story from one of the best authors of today! Twelve-year-old Early Whittcomb is anxious to leave his Iowa farm and head to Pike's Peak to search for his 19-year-old Uncle Jesse who left the family farm in search of gold. But to Early's chagrin, the lure of this precious metal has changed Jesse and has made him an outlaw. As Early travels across the great plains in a wagon train, he becomes great friends with a husband, wife and Lizzie, who is close to his age. The relationship with Lizzie lightens the read and helps to give much insight into the travel, hardships and mining activities in the West during the mid 1800's. There are pencil etchings and maps illustrating conveyances and interesting articles reflecting life during this time as well as a glossary and an insightful author's note located at the back. This is a terrific read!

Stella Stands Alone, by A. LaFaye, has a twist of a tale about a plantation with slaves, beginning in 1866. Stella lives in post-Civil War Mississippi and both of her parents have died. Her daddy wanted to give the slaves that worked on their farm a part of it, but he has since passed on and so has her mama. Stella's problem throughout this invigorating story is that she can't find the will or any documents stating that she owns the land so she can do with it as she pleases. Without this proof, she is at risk of losing her daddy's land and losing the goals of her daddy's intent. The insight of the difficulties, and the cruel injustices faced by freed slaves as well as women, will become evident throughout this extremely well written story.

A Time of Angels, by Karen Hesse, takes place in Boston during the 1918 influenza epidemic. Here is another great story that portrays life in America at the beginning of last century and discusses the difficulties present with a life threatening sickness that was sweeping the city. Fourteen-year-old Hannah is living with Tanta Rose while her father is away fighting in the first World War and her mother is in Russia and unable to leave. Life and Jewish beliefs are interestingly interwoven throughout the book.

The Donkey of Gallipoli: A True Story of Courage in World War I, by Mark Greenwood, and illustrated by Frane Lessac, is geared for ages seven and up. This touching, realistic and somewhat sad story recounts a special friendship of 2 young British boys who grow up and grow apart, and both end up fighting in World War I. Jack Simpson finds a donkey while in battle in Turkey and uses this donkey to place wounded soldiers to escort them to safety. The bloodshed of war is softened somewhat, yet still portrayed in this picture book.

T4, by Ann Clare LeZotte, is a poetic book simply, yet powerfully stating the injustices of the Nazi's during World War II. The title is a shortened nickname for the German address of the headquarters in Berlin where children that were born with, or developed, handicaps were sent. It was said to be a sanctuary where the government would help these children. But they soon disappeared and were never seen again. Thirteen-year-old Paula Becker became deaf due to a severe case of the measles. A priest hears that the Nazi's are coming to take her away to one of these sanctuaries. She is barely a step ahead of the Germans throughout this fast read.

Honey Cake, by Joan Betty Stuchner, is a chapter book geared for newer readers ages 6 to 9. This easier read will educate the reader about the problems of Danish families who were also Jewish when the Nazi's occupied their country. When ten-year-old David is asked to deliver some special éclairs across town, he soon discovers the importance of staying calm even in the face of Nazi soldiers. A recipe of honey cake is also found in the back of the book.

Ruby's Imagine,