Although children's historical fiction is not as popular as it once was, more historical fiction is now available, especially in picture storybooks and in series books. Many books of American historical fiction are being reissued, but there are fewer books set in other lands.

By reading historical fiction, children experience life in the past vicariously, gain opportunities for critical thinking, make judgments about the past with insights from a historical perspective, see the interdependence of humankind, and develop a feeling for the continuity of life. The writing style of historical fiction is of two types. Some fictional stories are based on actual people and recorded events of history. Other stories are based on social history with no reference given to actual people or recorded events. The former style is based on reconstruction of the past through research; the latter is based on recreation of the past through memory. Both forms are fully acceptable, but the stories based on real people and events must adhere to greater standards of accuracy. Some works of fantasy include travel to historical times and events.

Criteria for evaluating historical fiction include telling a good story, balancing fact with fiction, being accurate and authentic, integrating the research with the story, adhering to the true facts of history, showing when possible more than one point of view, reflecting the spirit of the times even though modern views may seem enlightened, using authentic language of the time period, and illuminating problems of today through an examination of the past.

Historical fiction covers all eras of human life although older eras are based on greater degrees of imagination. There is a growing body of historical fiction about the Old World. Many books set in Colonial America are available. Native Americans have been depicted as savages in some books, as fully developed characters in other stories, and as the victims of white persons in some books that use the Indian perspective. The 19th-century includes stories of slavery, the Civil War, and the Westward Expansion. Stories of the late 19th and early 20th centuries are often based on private lives rather than public events. Controversies continue about the attitudes shown in historical fiction about African Americans. Many books about World War II are available; they are told from varying perspectives. Historical fiction based on the Korean, Vietnam, and Iraq conflicts exist. Some themes frequently recur in historical fiction from all eras.