Historical fiction, like “Passage to Freedom,” is made up, but based on true events. For example, the setting is a real place during a real time (Lithuania during World War II), but the events are told like a story. The story has a narrator, dialogue, and some made-up details.

Evaluate Story Elements The credibility of a story is how believable it seems. To evaluate historical fiction, ask:

• • Setting Are the places real or made up?

• • Characters Is the story about a real person? Who is telling the story?

• • Events Did the story events actually happen? What details tell if events are fact or fiction?

Practice Together

Evaluate Credibility Which details in “Passage to Freedom” are facts? Which details are probably fiction? Reread the selection. Make a T Chart to record the details. How credible is the story?

Try It!

Work with a partner to add more details to the chart. Then look up details in history books and online. How many can you prove are facts? Based on the information you find, how credible is the story?

Internet
InsideNG.com

• Learn more about World War II.