Great historical fiction is time travel, we feel we are in another place, seeing more than the record of the past allowed us to know. - Marc Aronson (1) Blending stories into a study of history turns the past into a dynamic place. – Tarry Lindquist (2) Think back to when you were 10 or 11 years old. Can you remember browsing the library shelves for your next favorite chapter book? In school and public libraries across the county, so many of the middle grade chapter books sitting on the shelves have some sort of historical connection. Some are defined by their historical characters and events, while others rely on just a pinch of historical surroundings. Some are considered good historical fiction (even great literature!), while some are judged as fictionalized history. As librarians and educators seeking ways to promote and teach with historical, we must learn how to differentiate between good and “just ok” historical fiction. It is not enough to say that you ...