Using Historical Fiction and Information books in teaching History

According to Children's Literature in Action by Sylvia M. Vardell, "Historical novels can supplement the history or social studies curriculum with human stories that bring events to life.  They can help develop an appreciation of our historical heritage and provide the reader with a vicarious experience of the past through lieterature."  I am a 6th grade social studies teacher.  I use historical fiction novels and picture books throughout the year.  Historical fiction novels can help the student learn more about the time period by adding interest.  One combination that could be made in a U.S. History class is to read the historical fiction book Number the Stars by Loius Lowry.  This could be correlated with the reading teacher, so that the students read the book in reading class at the same time they are covering World War II in history.  I did this last year, and the students really enjoyed it.  The history teacher could read the nonfiction book Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's Shadow by Susan Bartolleti Campbell.  This could be read when the Holocaust is discussed.  The history teacher could also read the picture book The Butterfly by Patricia Polocco.  This book is also about the Holocaust. When the students see history in different ways, it helps them to understand it more.