Warm-Up: Brainstorm characteristics of historical fiction.

Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez English Language Arts 7

What Is Historical Fiction? Historical fiction tells a story that is set in the past during a notable time in history. The story contains actual historical figures and events. The main characters are fictional. Often these characters are observing or participating in historical events. Other times, a historical event is used to complement a story's narrative, occurring in the background while characters deal with situations (personal or otherwise) wholly unrelated to that historical event.

Creating Historical Fiction Authors are permitted to create stories regarding the historic subject matter, as long as it does not deviate in significant ways from established history. Since historical fiction attempts capture the mannerisms and social conditions of the time, authors must do research and pay close attention to detail. Historical fiction is found in books, magazines, art, television, film, theater, video games, and other media.

Benefits of Historical Fiction Information adapted from http://teacher Information provides a richer understanding of the period; it gives the reader clues to how people lived, what their speech was like, how they dressed, etc. Textbooks are often devoted to coverage rather than depth. Too often, individuals — no matter how famous or important — are reduced to a few sentences. Historical fiction allows us to view individuals as people - people who often had difficult choices to make. Good historical fiction presents individuals as they are, neither all good nor all bad. Historical fiction introduces readers to characters who have different points of view and offers examples of how people deal differently with problems. It also informs readers about the interpretive nature of history, showing how authors deal with an issue in different ways.

Julia Alvarez, Historical Fiction Author She was born in New York City in 1950 during her parents' first stay in the United States. Her parents returned to the Dominican Republic when she was three months old, and her father became involved in “underground” activity against the government. In 1960, her family was forced to flee to the U.S. after her father was involved in a failed attempt to overthrow a military dictator. www.juliaalvarez.com

Julia Alvarez, Historical Fiction Author Alvarez found it difficult to transition to her new life in New York; she experienced a language barrier, homesickness, and prejudice from her peers. While the characters in her stories are fictional, Alvarez relied on her own experiences and the experiences of her family members to create the personalities in her stories.

Before We Were Free: Plot Summary www.goodreads.com Anita de la Torre never questioned her freedom living in the Dominican Republic. But by her 12th birthday in 1960, most of her relatives have emigrated to the United States, her Tío Toni has disappeared without a trace, and the government’s secret police terrorize her remaining family because of their suspected opposition of el Trujillo’s dictatorship. Using the strength and courage of her family, Anita must overcome her fears and fly to freedom, leaving all that she once knew behind.

Pura Belpré Award Named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library Established in 1996 Presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.