Historical Fiction

Have you ever had those days when you have to get something done, but each time you go and do it, something gets in the way? That's my week. Now that everyone is in bed, I finally get to use the computer!

I love historical fiction. It is one of my favorite genres to read and teach because you can get so much from it. When trying to decide what novel to read, I talked with some of the high schoolers I work with and one book they recommended was "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. Now, some might say this isn't a YA historical fiction book, but I think I would disagree. It begins in Afghanistan in a city called Kabul. Amir, the main character, tells of his experiences living there when it had a monarchy. He describes a beautiful and (mostly) friendly country. It then leads you through the time that Russia over through the government to eventually the Taliban's reign. Amir and his father live in a posh home with two Hazara servants. One is a boy near Amir's age named Hassan. Because the Hazaras are a minority group, they are treated horribly by others and to some extent by Amir and his father. Amir tells of his jealousy and how he copes with it by the cruel things he does. All Amir wants is the approval of his father. Hassan is so devoted to Amir, that he'll do almost anything, which eventually leads to Hassan being raped by other boys. Amir is so ashamed he did nothing to stop it, he lies and gets Hassan and his father dismissed. For the rest of the novel he is torn by his guilt.

Amir and his father eventually flee to America away from a Russia occupied Afghanistan. They both have difficulties adjusting to a new land and culture, but eventually they begin to settle in. Unfortunately, Amir's father is diagnosed with cancer and dies. Amir, fulfills his dreams, but an opportunity comes that will help him atone for his wrong doings and he goes back to Afghanistan.

This book has so many themes that can be used with in a classroom. First off, there is racism. It is a strong theme throughout the book and can be used as a comparison to what has happened in America. There is also the idea of upper and lower class and moving from one extreme of it to the other suddenly. It begins with a boy who is wrestling with his own personal identity and living with the consequences of choices he has made. It also shows a glimpse of a war we hear little about in Afghanistan and helps us see into a culture that is often misunderstood, stereotyped, and thought of in a negative light. It is also relatable in the sense that Amir struggles with emotions and ideas that we also confront in our own lives: guilt, fear, love, hate, grief, shame, jealousy, etc... I could use this book in many ways within a classroom as a comparison to other novels. If teaching about civil rights or slavery in America, this book can be used as a comparison to what happens in other countries and how they handle it. If teaching about wartime and suppression by leaders (WWII, holocaust, etc...), this book deals with similar issues. It can also be used to help students look into our own society and see where our own shortcomings are and help students see into other cultures and learn more about tolerance. I loved this book and I can't wait to read its sequel.