Skip to Content

30 Engaging History Books for Kids to Discover the Past

A close look at stack of vintage books along with a chain pocket watch.

History is an essential part of learning. It’s best if you learned about the past, to see how we got to the present, and what we should change for the future. However, history isn’t always fun to learn. When I was a kid, I enjoyed learning, but history wasn’t my favorite subject.

I started wanting to learn about history by reading books that made me feel like I was a part of history. I also became interested in certain aspects of history, like World War II or the Renaissance, and started reading books about those time periods. When you become interested in something, it helps you be able to focus and to learn.

One book series I was interested in was called Travelers Through Time by Beatrice Gormley. In the first book, they time-traveled to the Titanic. The series only has three books, but I enjoyed them.

Using something fun like time travel to learn about history is an excellent way for kids to want to learn. Whether it’s a series of books or just one book about a person or a significant event, there are many options to choose fun that can make history fun for kids. Here are a few fiction and nonfiction books and series to look into.

Fun History Book Series for Kids

Who Was … ? Series

Who Was...? Children’s Biography Series Set of 12 books

Click image for more info

A series of books that tells the stories of historical figures, events, innovators, and places throughout history. These books include Who Was Leif Erikson?, What Was The Holocaust?, and Where Is Area 51?. These books are perfect for children ages 8-12 years old.

Childhood of Famous Americans Series

Helen Keller: From Tragedy to Triumph (The Childhood of Famous Americans Series)

Click image for more info

This series is a nonfiction series that focuses on famous Americans’ childhoods and tells the true stories that helped shape their lives. Some books in the series are Babe RuthHenry Ford, Martha Washington, and Martin Luther King Jr. This series is for middle-grade readers.

Blast to the Past Series

Betsy Ross's Star (Blast to the Past Book 8)

Click image for more info

This series follows Abigail, Bo, Zack, and Jacob as they travel back in time to help important figures in America’s history face different problems. There are eight books in the series so far and are great for middle-grade readers.

Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne

Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 1-28

Click image for more info

Travel through the magic tree house with Jack and Annie to different places and times. There are over 50 books in the series, and it is perfect for young readers who are just beginning chapter books. Other books in the series are Fact Checkers, where you can track the facts behind the fiction, and Merlin Missions, which are more challenging adventures.

Dear America Series

DEAR AMERICA 10 BOOK SET (DEAR AMERICA)

Click image for more info

The books are written in a journal style and from a child’s perspective from various points in American history. The books include A Picture of Freedom, about12-year-old Clotee, a slave in Virginia, and Voyage On The Great Titanic. This series is aimed at readers aged 8-14.

If You Lived … Series by Ann McGovern

. . . If You Lived at the Time of Martin Luther King

Click image for more info

This book series explores what it was like to live with specific groups of people and during certain points of history. This series is for readers ages 5-12 and includes If You Lived 100 Years Ago and If You Sailed On The Mayflower in 1620

Landmark Books Series

Meet Martin Luther King, Jr. (Landmark Books)

Click image for more info

This series has 16 books and is for middle-grade readers. The books cover stories for readers ages 10-15 about events in America’s history. Books include Meet Robert E. Lee and The Witchcraft of Salem Village. 

The Little House Collection by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Little House on the Prairie Series 7 Books Collection by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Click image for more info

These chapter book series takes a look into the life of a family of pioneers in the American midwest during the 1800s. These stories are based on Wilder’s childhood and are for readers ages 8-12 years old.

The American Girls Collection

Kirsten: An American Girl : 1854 (The American Girls Collection/Boxed Set)

Click image for more info

The American Girl book series is separated into historical and contemporary fiction series. Each series has smaller collections based on an American Girl character’s life during a specific time period, like Courtney from 1986, Josefina from 1824, and Kaya from 1764. This series is for readers in grades 2-5.

You Wouldn’t Want to Be Series by Fiona Macdonald

You Wouldn't Want to Be (42 Book Series)

Click image for more info

This picture book series is a fun non-fictional history book series that takes a fun fact and makes it interesting. These books are for readers aged 7-12, and there are over 300 books to choose from.

Heroes of History Series by Janet and Geoff Benge

The Creators: A History of Heroes of the Imagination (Knowledge Series Book 1)

Click image for more info

This biographical series tells the stories of historical figures like Abraham Lincoln or Theodore Roosevelt in a narrative format. These books are great for children ages ten and older.

Trailblazers Series

Flight of the Fugitives (Trailblazer Books Book 13)

Click image for more info

These middle-grade book series follow the lives of history trailblazers in a picture book format. Some books in the series are Lin-Manuel MirandaJ.K. Rowling, and Amelia Earhart. These books are geared for children in grades four and older.

Adventures in Odyssey: Imagination Station Series

Point of No Return (Adventures in Odyssey Books Book 3)

Click image for more info

This series follows cousins Patrick and Beth as they travel through history to different periods and meet the people in that time. Books in the series include Voyage with the Vikings, Problems in Plymouth, and Secret of the Prince’s Tomb. This series is great for readers ages 8-10 years old.

Ordinary People Who Changed the World Series by Brad Meltzer

I am Sacagawea (Ordinary People Change the World)

Click image for more info

This series is a series of picture books that tells the story of a historical figure. The books are geared for young children and contain stories about figures like Gandhi, Oprah Winfrey, Frida Kahlo, and Leonardo da Vinci.

I Survived Series by Lauren Tarshis

I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11)

Click image for more info

This series tells the story of historical moments in time through the perspective of a child who lived through it. The series includes stories about the Titanic, a shark attack, Hurricane Katrina, and the San Francisco Earthquake. This series is perfect for readers in grades 2-7.

Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn’t Tell You Series by Ken Sheinkin

Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War

Click image for more info

This book series takes different aspects of history and tells a different side of the history that you won’t find in your school books. The title alone will make kids ages 10-14 years old want to read it. There are three books so far about the American Revolution, Civil War, and Westward Expansion.  

Fun History Books for Kids

Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation (Jane Addams Award Book (Awards))

Click image for more info

This picture book looks at segregation through Sylvia Mendez, a Latin-American who fought for desegregation in California schools with her family. This book is geared for readers in grades 1-4.

The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence by Judith St. George

The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence by Judith St. George (2014-05-15)

Click image for more info

This picture book explores the many adventures the Declaration of Independence went on as it traveled on horseback, mail carrier, been copied, rolled up, and even hidden away. This story tells a unique one about the Declaration of Independence that children aged 7-10 will enjoy.

Let Freedom Sing by Vanessa Newton

Let Freedom Sing

Click image for more info

This book uses music to talk about the civil rights movement and is great for children in grades 4-5. It has many illustrations and highlights historical figures from the African American community like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Ruby Bridges.

G is for Gladiator: An Ancient Rome Alphabet by Debbie and Michael Shoulders

G is for Gladiator: An Ancient Rome Alphabet (Sleeping Bear Alphabets)

Click image for more info

This book is one of a series of historical picture books that use a letter to introduce a new topic about Ancient Rome. Your child, aged 6-9, will learn about this ancient civilization’s politics and social and civil customs in each book.

Heroes of the Revolution by David A. Adler

Heroes of the Revolution

Click image for more info

This book discusses the American Revolutionary War stories and the people who helped form and build the United States. This book is perfect for students in grades 3-6.

Egypt by Lori Dittmer

Egypt (Ancient Times)

Click image for more info

This book, geared towards children aged 8-10 years, is written from a child’s perspective and tells about a day in ancient Egypt. It discusses what people in Egypt believed, did, saw, their clothing styles, the pyramids, and mummies. 

Goldie takes a Stand: Golda Meir’s First Crusade by Barbara Krasner

Goldie Takes a Stand: Golda Meir's First Crusade

Click image for more info

Golda Meir is the Prime Minister of Israel. Before becoming Prime Minister, she was a Russian-Jewish immigrant living in the U.S. This book tells the story of her childhood during the Great Depression and discusses leadership, sacrifice, creativity, and hard work. This book is excellent for readers in Kindergarten to grade 4.

Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot by Margot Theis Raven

Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot: A True Story of the Berlin Airlift and the Candy That Dropped from the Sky

Click image for more info

This historical fiction book is based in Berlin after World War II and tells the true story of an American pilot who delivers sweets to children during the Berlin Airlift. This story looks at how this sweet gesture affected a young girl and is geared toward children in grades 1-5.

The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale by Trinka Hakes Noble

The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale (Tales of Young Americans)

Click image for more info

This children’s book is a picture book about Gettysburg’s battle as told from the perspective of an 11-year-old bugle boy named Gabe. This book is excellent for readers in grades 1-4.

Buffalo Bird Girl by S.D. Nelson

Buffalo Bird Girl: A Hidatsa Story

Click image for more info

This book is an illustrated biography of Buffalo Bird Woman’s childhood, a Hidatsa Indian who was born in the 1830s. It’s for children ages 6-9 years old.

What Is a Monarchy? by Margaret R. Mead

What Is a Monarchy? (Forms of Government (Crabtree))

Click image for more info

This book explores the British crown’s history and the monarchies throughout history. It’s an introduction to world history and government and is for grade and middle-school readers.

A Picture Book of Anne Frank by David A. Adler

A Picture Book of Anne Frank (Picture Book Biography)

Click image for more info

This picture book is based on actual diary entries from Anne Frank’s diary. It details her family life and what it was like hiding from Nazis in an attic. This is a great book that is geared for middle-grade readers, ages 10-11.

Bach to the Rescue! by Tom Angleberger

Bach to the Rescue!!!: How a Rich Dude Who Couldn't Sleep Inspired the Greatest Music Ever: How a Rich Dude Who Couldn’t Sleep Inspired the Greatest Music Ever

Click image for more info

This picture book dives into music history in a non-traditional way. It explores how Bach created his famous compositions and is geared towards children ages 4-8.

Sacagawea: Girl of the Shining Mountains by Connie and Peter Roop

Sacagawea: Girl of the Shining Mountains

Click image for more info

This book discusses westward development and expansion through the perspective of Native American explorer Sacagawea. She helped guide American explorers Lewis and Clark. This book is geared for older children, ages 9-12.

FAQs

What age group are these books geared towards?

These books are geared towards kids of all ages. Some are for Elementary readers, while others are for middle-grade readers. All books will be fun and fascinating for all children to learn about history. 

What are your favorite history books for kids?

All the books above are great history book recommendations for kids of all ages. Find a history lesson you want to teach your child about and let them read!

References:

  1. Epic: 17 Best History Books For Kids (Feb. 24, 2021)
  2. TableLifeBlog: 20 Book Series To Get Your Kids Hooked On History (Jan. 11, 2016)
  3. Adventures in Odyssey
  4. American Girl Books for Kids
  5. Blast to the Past Books
  6. Childhood of Famous Americans
  7. Dear America Series
  8. Heroes of History
  9. If You…Series
  10. Landmark Books
  11. Little House Collection by Laura Ingalls Wilder
  12. Magic Tree House
  13. Ordinary People Change the World
  14. Separate is Never Equal
  15. The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence
  16. The I Survived Series
  17. Learn in Color: Totally Non-Boring History Book Series for Kids (Mar. 31, 2020)
  18. Trailblazers
  19. Who Was? Series
  20. You Wouldn’t Want To Be
Rate this post

    Sharing is Caring

    Help spread the word. You\\\\\\\'re awesome for doing it!