Writers of historical fiction must deal with times in which modern values and understandings are absent.
How "true" to the period should historical fiction be in dealing with cultural mores and gender issues?
How faithful should an author be to the attitudes and language of the times?
Should publishers of historical fiction include a note about the author's research and a list of sources?
Books such as Christopher and James Collier's War Comes to Willie Freeman, Pam Conrad's Prairie Songs, William Armstrong's Sounder, are among those that have been the object of criticism for their use of language and portrayal of minority groups.
Do authors need to provide a balanced point-of-view when writing fiction based in historical issues and events?
What can teachers do if historical details conflict with modern beliefs?
How will (or do) you deal with these issues in your classroom?
