The Paradox of Historical Fiction

Abstract

In light of the fact/fiction divide, this paper delves into the literary genre of historical fiction for young adults and re-examines the disputed boundaries between fact and fiction. Exploring Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars, a work of historical fiction for young adults about life in Nazi-occupied Denmark, this discussion addresses the paradoxical nature of historical fiction: it is the fictional elements of historical fiction that play the crucial part in bringing historical facts closer to the young adult reader.

Keywords

• historical fiction
• young adult literature
• Lois Lowry
• Number the Stars
• fact and fiction