Historical fiction is a great way to learn about the past while reading compelling stories. Recently the explosion of graphic novels have brought more stories, new and old, accessible to more readers. Below are some of the titles I am most interested in inclu
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys sounds very interesting and won a debut YA award when it came out in 2012. “In 1941, fifteen-year-old Lina, her mother, and brother are pulled from their Lithuanian home by Soviet guards and sent to Siberia, where her father is sentenced to death in a prison camp and Lena must fight for her life, all the while vowing to honor her family and the thousands like hers by burying her story in a jar on Lithuanian soil.” Bonus: there is a graphic novel version and a soundtrack!
Boxers by Gene Luen Yang is a two volume graphic novel set at the end of the 19th century. It won a Great Graphic Novels for Teens award when it came out in 2014 and looks beautiful! “In China in 1898 bands of foreign missionaries and soldiers roam the countryside, bullying and robbing Chinese peasants. Little Bao has had enough: harnessing the powers of ancient Chinese gods, he recruits an army of Boxers–commoners trained in kung fu who fight to free China from “foreign devils.”
Dominicana by Angie Cruz won an Alex award in 2020. Although it is set in the 1960s, I believe the story of love and immigration will connect with young readers today. “Fifteen-year-old Ana Cancion never dreamed of moving to America, the way the girls she grew up with in the Dominican countryside did. But when Juan Ruiz proposes and promises to take her to New York City, she has to say yes. It doesn’t matter that he is twice her age, that there is no love between them. Their marriage is an opportunity for her entire close-knit family to eventually immigrate. As the Dominican Republic slides into political turmoil, Juan returns to protect his family’s assets, leaving Cesar to take care of Ana. Suddenly, Ana is free to take English lessons at a local church, lie on the beach at Coney Island, and imagine the possibility of a different kind of life in America. When Juan returns, Ana must decide once again between her heart and her duty to her family.” (Boston Public Library) Bonus: There is a Spanish Language version.
My favorite book when I was in junior high school was To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I read it once a month for three years! “Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep South–and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred.” Bonus: A couple of years ago I saw the play on Broadway which is now on tour. Now there is a graphic novel version illustrated by Fred Fordham. There’s an amazing movie version as well.
Library at BINcA 
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