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The main aim of this bibliography is
to provide information; to let people know what is available in
the field of children's historical fiction and to give some indication
of the style and contents of the various books. In other words
to give information which will help potential readers to make
up their own minds what they want to read. Because of this I have
tried to avoid passing judgement, although if I have enjoyed a
book, or if I come across a book which means something special
to me, then I decide to share my feelings with others. This site
is NOT an exercise in literary criticism.
The notes on the books are something of a cross between a review
and a synopsis.
Details are also given about the historical background of the
book.
Today many children's publishers are
bypassing the traditional outlets of bookshops and selling direct
to the schools. This can make it difficult for parents and others
to find out just what is available. It is hoped that this bibliography
will help.
The notes are detailed. This is because I believe that if readers are buying a book they have not seen - e.g. buying from a catalogue or from an online bookshop like Amazon - then they need comprehensive information.
I aim to treat all books the same. A long novel for teenagers which may have won a Guardian Award or the Carnegie Medal and a little book for seven year olds - I give them a similar detailed note. I consider that the parents and teachers of seven-year-olds are entitled to all the information they need. While on this topic I would like to add that I have found much good warietyriting in books for the 7 to 11 age group. I have even found a certain number of little gems.
Variety I have tried to give as wide a variety of books as possible. Classics and old favourites, serious modern books, humorous books, genre such as mystery and romance, books for very young children. As many different kinds of books as possible.
If anyone is having difficulty finding a book on a particular topic I would urge them to make their search as wide ranging as possible. Do not neglect the sections for younger children. Many of the books mentioned there may be written simply but they often contain a surprising amount of information. Similarly humorous, jocular books should not be dismissed out of hand.
It is not my intention to get involved
in controversy. When a book contains sensitive or controversial
material, or material which some may consider inappropriate for
the intended age range, I do not comment. Instead I give a summary
of that part of the book - so that parents and teachers can make
up their own minds whether they consider the book suitable for
their children. In a few cases I have suggested that parents and
teachers should read the book themselves first and then decide
whether to give it to their own children.
All this is in line with the main aim of the bibliography - to
provide information so that people can make their own choices
about books.
Whenever a book goes out of print it
will not be deleted. It will just be moved to the out of print
section. A limited number of older out-of-print books is also
given. After all there are always libraries and second hand bookshops
and many of these books may come into print again.
Also a reader may be particularly eager to obtain a book on a
certain topic. For example, William Caxton and the printing press.
I have been able to find one book on this subject and, unfortunately,
it is out of print - A Load of Unicorn by Cynthia Harnett.
But the information about it may be useful to a researcher.
The out-of-print books come at the end of their section.
This section is going to be expanded in the future.
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