We wait in the early morning darkness. Soon we will attack. My axe and sword are ready. Viking blood runs through my veins. These graphic and colorful 48-page books meet Common Core genre requirements and feature a fictional story, two pages of nonfiction, and two pages of activities, giving students some background knowledge necessary to understanding historical events. Using fiction to amplify history also allows students to think critically about the pas--and piques curiosity, leading to further exploration and discovery.