Deck 9: Historical Fiction and Biography

Question 1

Historical fiction is characterized by

A) realistic, authentic historical settings.
B) real people in a fantasy setting.
C) a "made-up" history with a fictional timeline, characters, and setting.
D) a biography in which real people's names are changed.

Answer 1

realistic, authentic historical settings.

Question 2

In the most common form of historical fiction

A) the secondary characters may be actual historical figures or imaginary
Characters.
B) the main characters are actual historical figures.
C) the social traditions, customs, morals, and values reflect the present time rather
Than the past.
D) the events could not have happened.

Answer 2

the secondary characters may be actual historical figures or imaginary
Characters.

Question 3

Good quality historical fiction stories will

A) have limited characterization.
B) have worthy, but subtle, themes.
C) exhibit hidden meanings through symbolism.
D) tell an involved, complex story of conflict between good and evil.

Answer 3

have worthy, but subtle, themes.

Question 4

When evaluating historical fiction, one should consider all of the following EXCEPT

A) accuracy of historical detail.
B) plot development and story strength.
C) worthy themes and round characters.
D) accuracy of the photographs of the main characters.

Question 5

A U.S. book award that honors what is judged to be the most outstanding work of children's historical fiction set in the New World and published in the previous year is the

A) Edgar Allan Poe Award.
B) Scott O'Dell Award.
C) Laura Ingalls Wilder Award.
D) Mildred Batchelder Award.

Question 6

Accuracy of historical detail includes researching and using all of the following EXCEPT

A) dialogue and speech patterns.
B) a universal setting.
C) characters who act within the traditions and norms of their times.
D) clothing styles, architecture, and foods and food preparation of the time.

Question 7

Very early historical stories in the 1800s were written

A) only for adults.
B) to ridicule the ruling classes.
C) in the style of heroic legends.
D) to promote voting rights for women.

Question 8

The type of biography that is most factual, in that information is documented through
Eyewitness accounts, letters, and diaries, is

A) authentic biography.
B) fictionalized biography.
C) biographical fiction.
D) autobiography.

Question 9

The type of biography that is based on research but uses imagined conversation to
Create drama is

A) authentic biography.
B) fictionalized biography.
C) biographical fiction.
D) autobiography.

Question 10

Develop a set of matching items with notable authors of historical fiction and biography and milestone books in each, featured in class. (See example in introduction to the test bank.)

Question 11

_______________________________ fiction refers to stories set in a time remote enough to be considered history.

Question 12

In historical fiction, imaginary characters blend with _____________________________ settings.

Question 13

A U.S. book award that honors what is judged to be the most outstanding work of children's historical fiction set in the New World and published in the previous year is ____________________________________________________________________.

Question 14

In the classroom, two organizing principles for presenting topics treated in historical literature are by universal themes and by ____________________________________________________________________.

Question 15

Two U.S. book awards honoring the most distinguished work of nonfiction (including biographies) for children published during the previous year are ___________________________________________and ____________________________________________________________________.

Question 16

Children's biography characterized by complete documentation of information is called ____________________________________________________________________.

Question 17

Three types of children's biography arranged from greatest to least degree of documentation are
a._____________________________________________
b._____________________________________________
c._____________________________________________

Question 18

A type of children's biography in which the author creates dramatic episodes from known facts by using imagined conversation is called _____________________________________.

Question 19

A type of children's biography in which the author includes invented dialogue,
fictional secondary characters, and some reconstructed action is called
__________________________________________________________________

Question 20

List what you would consider to be the three most important criteria for evaluation of historical fiction for children. Explain and support your choices.

Question 21

List three milestones in the development of historical fiction and explain why each is considered a milestone.

Question 22

List two universal themes that can be found in historical fiction and biographies for children.

Question 23

List and explain four types of children's biography based on coverage of the subjects' lives and the formats of the books.

Question 24

List three ways in which biographies benefit children.

Question 25

Explain the difference between biography, autobiography, and memoir.

Question 26

Describe two types of historical fiction using examples you have encountered in your reading.

Question 27

Good works of historical fiction are expected to have authentic settings. Explain how authors create authentic period settings, listing at least four techniques.

Question 28

Develop an argument for or against sharing with today's children a work of historical fiction that presents biased, but accurately reflected views held by people in the past.

Question 29

Describe trends within the last two decades in the treatment of subjects' lives in
children's biographies. Take a stand in defense or opposition to these trends.

Question 30

Discuss the pros and cons of putting the subject of a biography for children on a
pedestal versus "revealing the subject's warts" in order to be more accurate. Indicate
your opinion about which approach is more defensible.