Historical fiction books make history come alive for children. Instead of just reading about facts and dates, they can learn about history by immersing themselves in a story that takes place during a historical period. They get to experience life at that time through the eyes of an interesting character. Historical fiction really makes history enjoyable for children!
I thought I’d start putting together a list of historical fiction books for you. I thought it might make it easier for you to find the books you want to share with your kids and build your homeschool library.
This list is organized by major time periods. I used The Story of the World books as the guideline for the time periods because I used those books when I homeschooled along with the History Through the Ages Timeline Figures (paid links). I loved both those series!
Anyway, I hope you find this list of books helpful.
*This post contains paid links. I earn a small commission from the sale of products purchased via these links. Please see my disclosure for details.
Historical Fiction Books
Ancient History: 5000 BC to 400 AD
God King by Joanne Williamson
Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson
Herodotus and the Road to Historyf by Jeanne Bendick
Galen and the Gateway to Medicine by Jeanne Bendick
Middle Ages and Early Renaissance: 400 – 1600 AD
The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli
Viking Adventure by Clyde Robert Bulla
The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla
Leif the Lucky by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire
Chanticleer and the Fox by Geoffrey Chaucer
Columbus by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire
Along Came Galileo by Jeanne Bendick
Late Renaissance and Early Modern: 1600 – 1850 AD
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Pocahontas and the Strangers by Clyde Robert Bulla
A Lion to Guard Us by Clyde Robert Bulla
Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims by Clyde Robert Bulla
George Washington by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire
Benjamin Franklin by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire
Pocahontas by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire
Ben and Me by Robert Lawson
Modern Times: 1850 – Present
White Fang by Jack London
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan
Skylark by Patricia Maclachlan
Caleb’s Story by Patricia Maclachlan
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Abraham Lincoln by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire
Buffalo Bill by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire
Books and Series Covering Multiple Time Periods
Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
Know of anyone who can use this list of historical fiction books? Feel free to share it with them.
Many blessings,
P.S. Do your kids want to write historical fiction? They can get some inspiration from my Wild, Wild West Writing Prompts! It has 20 fun prompts in four types of writing styles: expository, persuasive, descriptive, and narrative.
