Historical Fiction for KS2

Kathleen Fidler’s The Boy with the Bronze Axe is a chapter book that sums up the achievements of the early Bronze Age well. Set in the Scottish settlement of Skara Brae at the very end of the Stone Age and just before the dawn of the Bronze Age, The Boy with the Bronze Axe is a well-researched story filled with exciting challenges and mysteries.

Perfect for confident readers or as a mid- and upper- KS2 class novel, the book explores the changes between the Neolithic period and the discovery of bronze. As characters who had only ever seen stone tools respond to bronze, there is an opportunity to consider what the discovery meant to people who had never seen it before and why it impacted the prehistoric lifestyle.

Set in the ancient kingdom of Benin, this is both a fascinating insight into an ancient way of life as well as a well-told adventure story.

Ada is twelve and has lived near the rainforest, with her Papa Eze, for as long as she can remember. She knows Papa is not her real family but he’s always looked after her. One day, however, Papa Eze becomes unwell and tells Ada the full story behind her birth and how he came to look after her. Unfortunately, someone else has also discovered the story of Ada’s birth and who Ada is and wishes her harm. Papa Eze realizes that Ada needs to escape the village, so sends her off, with her friend Mbe, on a perilous journey to find both safety and her true identity. Along the way, they meet both new friends and old enemies and go on an adventure of a lifetime.

This would make a perfect class read for KS2 and would fit in beautifully with the National Curriculum topic of Ancient Benin, for which there are not many children’s fiction choices at all available. Complete with a non-fiction section at the end – which we found fascinating – the book provides more information about many things covered in the story, from the history of the tribes featured to more information on their belief systems. All of these provide useful background to the story and could be investigated further in class for those studying the topic.

Whether it’s a curriculum-linked fiction choice or simply a read for pleasure, this is a gripping adventure story that offers something fresh and original to the middle-grade historical fiction market.

The first of Caroline Lawrence’s four Roman Quests, Escape from Rome is a completely gripping adventure filled with danger, excitement and some challenging themes to get stuck into.

Taking his siblings with him, twelve-year-old Juba is forced to flee the Emperor Domitian in Rome and set off on a journey to find his uncle in Britannia (the edge of the known world). Uncertain who to trust, Juba’s leadership skills are tested as he uncovers a sinister secret about his uncle’s lifestyle, requiring Juba to act like his hero Aeneas and make some difficult but important decisions.

Steeped in interesting historical details and covering challenging themes including slavery and immigration, this story is abundantly thrilling from the very first page and we recommend it for readers aged 10-13.

Historical fiction set during the Battle of Marathon, in which the Persians landed near the Ancient Greek city of Marathon in order to attack. When news of the impending invasion reaches Athens, young Philip is sent on a mission across the mountains to warn his family before it is too late.

History lovers in upper KS2 will enjoy this exciting adventure based on a key event in Ancient Greek history.

Bringing the Fire of London topic – often studied in KS1 – to life for an older audience, The Great Phoenix of London is an exciting new historical fiction book suitable for 9-11 year olds. I really love the way that the author takes a historical event and turns it into such an entertaining story, all the while keeping the historical facts intact. I liked the added extracts from Samuel Pepys’ diary that were added to the beginning of each chapter, recalling the Great Fire of London and the atmosphere of the time.

The young characters in this story were fantastic. The way they took care of each other and the phoenix was endearing. The emotions of the event were accurately displayed through the characters and their actions as they tried to get to safety from the fire. The phoenix becomes a symbol for the rebuilding of London after the fire, as it also rises from the ashes.

A really enjoyable read, perfect for the classroom.

Diver’s Daughter gives a uniquely fascinating perspective into life in Tudor times.

Eve’s mother was stolen from Mozambique as a child, and so the story offers insight into the lives of black families in England during this time -something that, in the notes at the back of the book, the author further discusses.

Patrice Lawrence paints a vivid picture of life within the cramped and dirty London streets, which transports the reader into Tudor times. The action moves from London down to the South Coast and brings in the story of the sinking of the Mary Rose, as well as the fascinating lives of the divers who went to search for its treasures.

It is a gripping story to enjoy, with intrigue and so much suspense, and offers so many opportunities for discussion about the Tudor period. The author has included lots of Tudor vocabulary, which can be investigated within the topic.

Set in the Viking era, The Chessmen Thief is an intriguing tale of 12-year-old Kylan’s quest to return to his mother, having been captured by Norsemen when he was just 7 years old. The Lewis Chessmen – which his master reluctantly let him help carve – are his only hope. However, great craftsmanship gains attention, including that of Sven Asleifsson, a cruel and barbaric Viking known throughout the realm.

Based on the real-life Lewis Chessmen (a group of distinctive 12th-century chess pieces discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis), The Chessmen Thief is a great addition to existing Vikings-themed booklists and a suitable choice for all year groups across Key Stage 2. Barbara Henderson has carefully crafted the plot around the chess motif, and the story is not overwhelmed with action and gore, as can often be the case with books written about this era. 

The book would particularly complement history topics for those teaching in Scotland, providing opportunities to find out about the Viking era closer to home.

She Wolf is a Viking adventure story set in the cold, harsh winter of Northumbria, AD 866. Ylva (pronounced eel-va) witnesses her mother’s tragic death, which instigates her hunger for revenge – after all, that is the Viking way. Her target: the three-fingered man. Ylva has been taught to survive; no crying will do and with the Norse Gods on her side, she knows she doesn’t need anyone else to help.

The twists and turns along the way make this an edge-of-your-seat kind of story through which the reader learns just as much as Ylva does. The descriptions in the book put you right there in the thick of it with the characters, and when a story involves survival against wolves, bears and brutal hunters.

More suitable for mature KS2 readers, there is no doubt that this is a master class in Viking culture, drama and suspense. Sheer brilliance from Dan Smith.

A gripping mystery adventure that young readers love to pick up, with powerful historical insight into nineteenth-century colonialism.

Anushka is the princess of an Indian kingdom. To her anger and frustration, the British East India Company has taken not only her land but also her family’s most precious emerald. Along with her father, Nush travels to Buckingham Palace to visit Queen Victoria. There, Nush employs all of her determination and resourcefulness to reclaim the jewel to where it belongs and bring restoration to her country. At the same time, she finds herself caught up in a royal mystery involving the British royal children and the Queen herself.

Year 7 readers will love this pacey Victorian story that provides plenty to think about as well as a highly likeable feisty female lead.

Olaudah Equiano was cruelly snatched from his home in Essaka, Africa, aged only 11, in 1756. Initially taken with his older sister, Ifeoma, they soon became separated. Olaudah never heard from her again. From there he was taken to England, first enduring a long voyage where he was treated horribly, along with the other slaves. He was sold several times before being taken to America to be a house slave. The master was cruel and the slaves were too scared to even speak to each other. Next he was bought by an English naval officer and taken to sea. Here he finally made friends and began to learn to read and write, as well as experiencing many adventures and great peril.

Olaudah’s story does not end there. He is bought and sold a couple more times before he is taken to the West Indies. Here he sees a chance of freedom. It turns out he has a flair for business and becomes his master’s trusted slave. Working hard, he finally earns enough money to buy his freedom and returns to England as a free man. Here he wrote a book about his experiences and worked hard in the campaign against slavery.

This is an incredible true story, vividly brought to life by Catherine Johnson. It would be a brilliant addition to any UKS2 or KS3 classroom, especially if studying slavery. A difficult subject matter sensitively brought to life for children.

This novel is a popular choice for KS2 classes.

Loosely based on a true story about the inspiration for Dr Barnado opening his children’s homes, Street Child is the inspirational tale of a poor Victorian boy fighting for survival on the grim streets of Victorian London.

The novel is full of suspense and is a gripping read that will captivate pupils and teachers alike.

Son of the Circus: A Victorian Story, tells the story of Ted, the mixed-race son of Pablo Fanque (the first recorded black circus owner in Britain) and his introduction to life with the circus. This exciting story explores racial prejudice in the Victorian period as well as the culture and history of the circus.

The book raises lots of questions and teaching points. The idea that a son was expected to continue a family trade (and the pressure that may bring), the way different races were viewed and treated in the past and the choices children get to make (or not make) as they are forced to move and change. 

This is a gripping adventure that examines attitudes to race and heritage in the Victorian period.

Safiyyah’s War is a gripping story of heroic defiance set in World War II Paris, all the more gripping for being based on underknown real-life events. It invites the reader to reflect on our shared humanity and the importance of community and compassion.

The story focuses on the central mosque, where a small team of devout North Africans see it as their moral duty to help endangered Jews escape to safety, despite the massive risks. Safiyyah’s Baba is among them. He does what he can to keep his actions secret from his daughter to protect her, but reckons without her strength of character and purpose. Unafraid to break a few rules in the process, Safiyyah insists on being trusted with the truth and allowed to make her own contribution. There is plenty of tension, but Safiyyah’s nerve holds in the face of her fear of the Nazis, leading her to a triumphant act of heroism.

The story illustrates how extreme circumstances can lead ordinary people to do extraordinary things and raises the old question of justice: can it sometimes be right to break the law? A beautiful, hope-affirming book for young people.

Shrapnel Boys is a gripping story about the lives of a group of young boys living in London during the Second World War.

Ronnie is naively excited by the prospect of war, fighter planes and everything else that he associates with war, and he can’t wait for the action to start. When the war finally comes to London, although the reality is scarier than they thought, Ronnie and his friends are excited to race each other to collect the best bits of shrapnel each morning after a night of bombing.

But, the war also brings an unwelcome visitor into Ronnie’s life – straight away, Ronnie can tell that Johnny is up to no good and when Ronnie’s brother starts to get caught up in whatever it is that Johnny is up to, Ronnie decides to take matters into his own hands to protect his brother.

This is a truly outstanding book which manages to weave so many themes into its pages. It deals with issues around family, friendship, bravery and loss, coupled with providing insight and historical facts about an important time in British history.

The Skylarks’ War by Hilary McKay is a lovely story set in the midst of the First World War. We know how harrowing this war was and how tough it was on the men sent to the front lines, but also for those at home. Clarry is a wonderful main character who has boundless hope. She shows true determination throughout the story of her, her brother Peter and her cousin Rupert.

Most suitable for ages 10-13, this is such a beautiful story of love and hope in the face of adversity. I was laughing in places with the stories from Rupert and had tears streaming down my face in others. The author captures some intense moments of battle, fear and agony in such a way as to make it understandable for children reading the book. I was captivated throughout the whole book. I loved the characters, the storyline and the ending!

Best-selling author Tom Palmer has a track record of bringing together his passions for sport and history in popular stories with a high appeal in primary schools. His gripping story, Armistice Runner, brings into the spotlight messenger runners on the front line of World War I. As with all of Tom’s books published by Barrington Stoke, these books are ‘super-readable’ due to their accessible layout including a dyslexia-friendly font and tinted paper. This is a wonderful story to use in KS2 classrooms to explore the history of the World War 1 Armistice.

This well-researched and highly readable historical fiction book takes its title from the name of the medal that honours the Arctic Convoys during World War II and in recognition of the particularly harsh conditions they endured.

Tom Palmer has taken facts gathered from the Imperial War Museum, among other sources, to compose a gripping fictional story about three teenage Royal Navy recruits from Plymouth: Frank, Stephen and Joseph. Their resilience, fortitude and courage shine as brightly as the Arctic (North) Star against the surrounding darkness. Their very survival, both physical and mental, is threatened by constant attacks from German U-boats, submarines, planes and, most terrifying of all, the German battleship known as the Scharnhorst – not to mention freezing conditions, fierce storms, shattered dreams and rocky relationships. The life-and-death struggle is played out until the very last page.

This book, with its concluding Author’s Note together with the accompanying online teaching notes available from Tom Palmer’s website, provides an exciting and informative classroom resource for the teaching of WWII as a curriculum topic, besides being a book many children will choose for the sheer enjoyment of reading. A thoroughly recommended read, just like Tom Palmer’s other well-researched and highly readable novels.

If you are already a Tom Palmer fan, you will know to expect from After the War – a touching, concisely told yet never dumbed-down, story of childhood during wartime. If you are new to his books, then prepare to be astounded. Tom Palmer has a rare talent for making the truth of the past accessible to children without watering down the horrific facts or emotional impact, a skill already demonstrated in his previous books, Armistice Runner, D-Day Dog and Over the Line, but in its best evidence yet here.

After the War opens with a foreword explaining the factual basis to this story of the ‘Windermere boys’, 300 refugee children who were temporarily relocated to Cumbria at the end of WWII after being rescued from concentration camps. This is hugely helpful in settling the reader into what to expect of the story ahead and flagging up the timely theme of treatment of refugees.

The story begins in the summer of 1945, as a plane descends into the Yorkshire hills, carrying Jewish child survivors of the Holocaust. Yossi, 15, is traumatized, anxious, untrusting, always alert to danger. Through flashbacks, we gradually learn Yossi’s story, from the day war suddenly arrived in his sleepy Polish village in the form of a German bomber, through being interned in a Jewish ghetto and being forced to work in a clothing factory to his eventual destination, the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Theresienstadt. Balancing between the flashbacks to the horrors of the past and the hope of the future is the present, where the boys gradually settle into Yorkshire life, a place where they learn food is not scarce, uniformed men can have kind eyes, and boys can ride bicycles again.

With Tom’s trademark very short and super-readable chapters, the direct text lets the story shine through straight and true, without ever being overly simplistic in either intent or vocabulary. After the War would make a fantastic class reader for Year 5/6, although I doubt any teacher could make it through without a wobble in their voice at least once a chapter. I spent the majority of the book with a lump in my throat, either at the things that children had been through or at the small touches of kindness shown to them by the local community, which gradually help them to open up to the world again.

The WWII genre is a crowded market, but After the War elbows its way to the front as a stunning reflection on the impact of war, perfectly pitched for a UKS2 audience.

Nominated for “Favourite Books of 2020” by: Richard Simpson (Year 6 Teacher)

Richard says, “Brilliantly written book about an oft-forgotten and not addressed aspect of the war…what happened to those who survived. Powerfully but sensitively dealt with, with moments that will stay with you long after reading it.”

Award-winning children’s author Michael Morpurgo brings past and present together when Tudor explorer Sir Walter Raleigh visits a modern day family as a ghost.

A good text to choose for making past-and-present comparisons, as well as for learning more about the figure of Sir Walter Raleigh and his legacy.

Kaspar, Prince of Cats by Michael Morpurgo tells the story of Johnny Trott, a bellboy at the Savoy, who makes friends with a cat named Kaspar. They have many adventures, including being on board Titanic when it hits the iceberg. This novel is only partially set on Titanic, but the sinking scenes are thrilling and are vividly brought to life by gorgeous illustrations by Michael Foreman.

A gripping historical adventure featuring the Anglo-Saxon hoard that was unearthed at Sutton Hoo during WW2.

The story centres on a young Londoner called George, who has been evacuated to the countryside near Sutton Hoo and is intrigued to find out about the Anglo-Saxon treasures discovered nearby. The most interesting of the treasures is a mysterious Anglo-Saxon crown, carrying with it an ancient legend. Before long, George finds himself involved in an exhilarating plot to save the crown from falling into the hands of Nazi invaders.

This is a gripping read that is recommended for upper KS2 – and is especially useful for helping children to make links between different periods of history.

An action-packed historical adventure that transports the reader back to England at the time of the Gunpowder Plot. Black Powder tells the story of a boy called Tom, who finds himself at the service of an intriguing stranger called ‘The Falcon’. The stranger seems to be the only person who can help Tom to save his father from being hanged, but as Tom journeys towards London he discovers that the Falcon has his own, somewhat explosive, mission in mind. Suddenly Tom is faced with the choice of freeing his father or saving the king from an assassination plot. This gripping adventure will capture imaginations and is likely to resonate with anybody who has ever felt like knowing which people and beliefs to trust can sometimes be extremely difficult.

Utterly compelling, totally immersive, and completely inspired, Ally Sherrick’s historical novel is unputdownable. Set in Britain under Roman occupation, the story stars Vita, the daughter of a Roman magistrate. When tragedy strikes her family, she is confronted with a different world from the one she has known, as she experiences what life is like for those who are conquered, rather than the conquerors.

As Vita struggles to solve the mystery of who murdered her father, she must also decide where her allegiances lie. Through her journey, she discovers that people, like Brea, her gladiator friend, are not always what they seem at first and that there is often more that unites us than divides us from our enemies.

‘Vita and the Gladiator’ is a perfect book to complement a study of Roman Britain for stronger readers in KS2, exposing them to a thrilling and gripping taste of what life under occupation might have been like. Pupils will recognise and enjoy the depiction of the gladiator arena, as well as the references to Boudica and her revolt against the empire. All in all, this read is highly recommended.

This chapter book story is set in 1922, around the time that Howard Carter famously excavated Tutankhamun’s tomb. Thirteen-year-old Lilian joins a voyage to Egypt to the very heart of Howard Carter’s fascinating discoveries.

Woven into Lilian’s story are letters from Ancient Egyptian times, detailing the last days of the young Sun King and his closest friends, revealing stories of humanity and vulnerability. Much like the tomb’s treasures, there is a strong sense that these stories from the past should only fall into the hands of people willing to treat them responsibly and act with due respect to the original owners.

Rich in historical details about Ancient Egypt and moving at a pleasing pace, this is a gripping story with plenty of mystery to get stuck into. Dynamics of race and gender are explored compassionately, and this aspect of the book has the potential to lead to some promising discussions in the classroom.

This delightful chapter book is an excellent text for encapsulating experiences of World War II from the viewpoint of children. It tells the moving story of Olive and her brother Cliff as they leave the heavily bombed streets of London and become evacuees on the coast of Devon, sent to live with an enigmatic lighthouse keeper. Soon Olive finds herself caught up in a dark mystery linking the disappearance of her sister Sukie with a strangely coded message.

Letters from the Lighthouse is an incredibly empathetic story that not only portrays the hardships of life during the war but also poignantly explores the anguishing encounters of refugees looking for safety in new places while carrying with them the heartbreak of leaving a war-torn home behind. We highly recommend this story for upper KS2 classrooms.

Fran lives and works in the grounds of Longbarrow House, where she makes a discovery that deeply unsettles her. The opening line of the book, ‘Fran found the bone in the potato patch’ is a sign of the intriguing story to come. When Leo, grandson of the owner of Longbarrow House, breaks his leg minutes after Fran’s garden fork breaks the bone in the potato patch, Fran is worried that the two incidents are connected. Further strange coincidences occur and Fran becomes increasingly concerned.

When Leo returns from hospital, Fran is tasked with keeping him company and the two children become friends. Leo is worried about the threat of impending war in Europe and Fran is concerned about the strange coincidences. Together, they explore Longbarrow House and discover the secrets the estate has been hiding. The story edges the reader along and brings tension and suspense with it.

The Ghost Garden is an insight into the lives of children on the eve of World War One. The story reveals details about the daily lives of both the privileged and not so privileged in 1914. We discover their anxieties about (and hopes for) the future and realise that the two children have more similarities than differences when it comes to facing the prospect of war. A short read with dyslexia-friendly text, this is another treat for those readers who enjoyed Letters from the Lighthouse and When We Were Warriors.

A popular choice in KS2 classrooms. The action-packed narrative follows the story of Gunnar, the son of a Viking chief, as he sets out to avenge his father’s death after an attack by rival raiders.

In Tony Bradman’s trademark style, this well-researched story combines elements of history and mythology. This is a gripping story that brings the gruesome Viking period to life with all of its peril and gore.

World War 2 is the setting for this short, dyslexia-friendly chapter book and is a common history topic in schools. Many of the great books for primary-aged children set in this era may be too challenging for some readers and so this book enables children to catch a glimpse of life during the war and also learn about some of the important features of life: rationing; schools; the changing roles of adults; evacuation and the black market (through the unique storyline of a girl trying to get hold of a banana in times when all food was in short supply).

The focus of the story is a young girl’s concern and care for her mum at a time of great stress and strain on family life, where dad is away fighting in the war and mum has taken on a new job, working long hours in the factory. There are many parallels that the modern reader could draw with their own experiences. The print is clear without too many words on the page.

Author Tony Bradman also visited our blog recently to talk about why there should always be a gap on the shelf for books that help readers see the bigger picture of the war from a new lens.

As the saying goes, history is written by the victors, and with the Celtic tribes of Ancient Britain leaving no records, we only have the Roman accounts of what happened during Boudicca’s revolt. Tony Bradman has taken details from Tacitus’ description of the Iceni queen and the battles she led to create a vivid and gripping story told by Rhianna, who witnesses the events of a turbulent time in British history.

After the king, Prasutagus, is poisoned, Boudicca defies the Roman rulers, with an awful punishment inflicted on her and her daughters. Boudicca plots her uprising to shake off the yoke of Rome, drawing the support of other tribes. Despite her love for Boudicca, young orphan Rhianna is only too aware of the darkness she reveals, with terrible revenge wreaked upon the inhabitants of the Roman cities as they are burned to the ground. At the final great battle, where the tribes’ defeat seems certain, an act of mercy gives Rhianna a means of escape and hope for the future.

The story of Boudicca’s revolt has resonated down the centuries, and whilst undoubtedly courageous, if foolhardy, to take on the might of the Roman army, Tony Bradman has also felt that there was something dark about the rebellion. His story aims to give young readers an understanding of the motivations that led to the uprising while opening up discussion on a range of ideas.

This exciting story from Tony Bradman is a popular choice in KS2 classrooms and is set just before the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Follow the story of young Magnus and his adventure-packed journey to the Battle of Hastings, as he is forced to contend with vicious family feuds and merciless claims to the throne.

Full of excitement, danger and all the gore of the period, this is an action-packed novel brimming with historical details.