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50 Favorite Historical Chapter Books and Novels

These are our top picks for living history in longer form. These chapter books and novels immerse kids in the lives, challenges, and triumphs of the past. From historical fiction adventures to moving coming-of-age tales set in pivotal times, these books are perfect for middle-grade readers who love story-driven learning.

The Golden Bull

Excellent middle-grade novel set in ancient Sumer

The Golden Goblet

Award-winning mystery set in New Kingdom Egypt

Masada: The Last Fortress

Novel about Judea’s resistance to Rome

The Thieves of Ostia

Story of a group of Roman children solving a mystery- the first in a series

The Eagle of the Ninth

Military novel set in Roman Britain

Chengli and the Silk Road Caravan

Novel for middle-grade readers about a boy's Silk Road adventures

Corn Grows Ripe

Award-winning novel for middle-grade readers about a Mayan boy

The Midwife's Apprentice

Engaging story of a girl finding her place in medieval England

Adam of the Road

Classic story about the adventures of an apprentice minstral in medieval England

Anna of Byzantium

Award-winning novel about a real Byzantine princess

Son of Charlemagne

Classic middle-grade novel about Charlemagne and his son

Augustine Came to Kent

Classic historical novel about the re-Christianization of England during the Anglo-Saxon period

The Falconer’s Apprentice

Adventure novel that serves as an excellent description of life in the Holy Roman Empire

Raiders from the Sea

Novel set in Viking Ireland and Norway

The King’s Shadow

Novel for middle-grade readers about a boy traveling with William the Conqueror

A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver

Outstanding narrative introduction to Eleanor of Aquitaine

The Hound Of Ulster

Masterful retelling of an Irish Celtic saga for older readers

The Sign of the Chrysanthemum

Novel about a boy searching for his samurai father

I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade

Chapter book about a girl joining the Mongol army in disguise

The Door in the Wall

Classic novel of a boy in plague-era England

Seven Voyages: How China’s Treasure Fleet Conquered the Sea

Exploration of Zheng He and his epic voyages

A Ceiling Made of Eggshells

Moving novel about a Jewish Spanish girl during the Inquisition

Morning Girl

Award-winning novel of a Taíno girl and her brother just before Columbus’ arrival

The King’s Fifth

Novel about a teenage boy among conquistadors

Children of the Longhouse

Story of a Mohawk boy overcoming a challenge

The Master Puppeteer

Award-winning mystery about a young Edo period apprentice puppeteer

Blood on the River: James Town, 1607

Excellent novel about a boy in John Smith’s expedition

Day of Tears

Powerful novel exploring a slave auction from many perspectives

Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem

Excellent exploration of the trials in Salem, with powerful illustrations

Stowaway

Fictional diary of a boy stowed away aboard Cook’s ship during his famous voyage

Unbound

Stunning novel in verse about an enslaved girl's experience and escape

Strong As Fire, Fierce As Flame

Compelling novel about an Indian girl during a rebellion against British colonizers

Soft Rain: A Story of the Cherokee Trail of Tears

Stirring story of a Cherokee girl on the Trail of Tears

Fever 1793

Award-winning novel about a girl navigating the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia

Heart of a Samurai

Award-winning novel about a Japanese boy exploring American culture and then finding his way back home

Across Five Aprils

Vivid story of a boy growing up during the Civil War

Nory Ryan’s Song

Novel about an Irish girl helping her family survive the famine

Birchbark House

First in a series that traces 100 years in the life of an Ojibwe family as they confront change

The Ballad of Lucy Whipple

Excellent novel about a girl making the most of life in a California mining town

Uprising

Powerful novel from multiple perspectives, centered on the Triangle factory leading up to the fire

Breaking Stalin’s Nose

Powerful story of a boy living under Stalin’s regime

Moonshiner’s Son

Story of a boy grappling with Prohibition while defying it as an apprentice

Out of the Dust

Award-winning novel-in-verse about a girl facing loss during the Dust Bowl

Under the Broken Sky

Beautiful story of a Japanese orphan coping with Russian invasion during WWII

The Boy In the Striped Pajamas

Powerful story about Auschwitz through the innocent eyes of two young boys

Weedflower

Moving story of a girl’s life before and during internment, and her friendship with a Mohave boy

The Story That Cannot Be Told

Powerful middle-grade novel about a girl making sense of her world, set during Romania’s communist regime

My Brigadista Year

Charming story of a Cuban girl who volunteers to help spread literacy

The Clay Marble

Story of a refugee family fleeing the conflict in Cambodia

Sylvia & Aki

Fictionalized retelling of the true story of two girls- one who is impacted by internment, the other who fights Latino segregation in schools

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