Children's Historical Literature: A Comparison

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the blending of story with history in children's historical literature and how history is brought to life in three very different ways in "The Double Life of Pocahontas," by Jean Fritz, Mary Pope Osborne's "Davy Crockett" and Julius Lester's "John Henry." The author describes how Fritz creates a historical context around which little fiction exists, Osborn effectively blends the two while Lester retells the full legend. The author concludes that in all three cases there is a sense that the subject is less important than the impact the characters have had on our culture and history.

From the Paper:

"All three of these books deal with historic figures who were real and who were involved in the formation of the nation as we know it today. Pocahontas, Davy Crockett, and John Henry all are parts of the entire American folklore and are therefore part of all of our stories. How each author treats their subject, however, does differ along with their subjects. Pocahontas is treated as an important figure from an emotional point of view, Davy Crockett is found within the fiction of his legend, John Henry is seen as representative of the power and significance of African-American labor in the 19th century."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fritz, Jean. The Double Life of Pocahontas. New York: Putnam Juvenile, 2002.
• Lester, Julius. John Henry. New York: Puffin, 1999.
• Osborne, Mary Pope. American Tall Tales. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 1991.

More papers on Children's Historical Literature: A Comparison:

• Analytical Essay # 7460 : "The Role of a Wife"
• Comparison Essay # 36811 : "Gender in Children's Literature"
• Comparison Essay # 4433 : "Romanticism"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: