Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Home > Books

Format: Non-fiction

You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Victorian Miner!

Non-fiction

As a man brought up a British coal-mining village in the 1860s, you have to endure the dangers and difficulties of working underground in a Victorian mine. Learn how to get by with a succession of ‘Handy hints’ such as not forgetting to take a canary down the mine with you. Find out how pit ponies are used, how the coal is mined, and how to survive deep underground. You’ll soon learn that you really wouldn’t want to be a Victorian miner! This title in the popular You Wouldn’t Want to Be series features full-colour illustrations which combine humour and accurate technical detail. Featuring brand new extra content including a timeline, fun facts a list of ‘top’ characters and a map.

Victorians (Eyewitness)

Non-fiction

Be upstanding for the Queen! Experience a golden age in British history with this leading reference title for children, which celebrates peace, progress, and prosperity during the reign of Queen Victoria.

Eyewitness Victorians is an essential part of the best-selling Eyewitness series. This comprehensive visual guide for younger readers explores how the Industrial Revolution changed the world forever. Watch vast railway networks take shape, large-scale factories hard at work, and the nationwide move from farming communities to populated cities. Learn the differences between life upstairs and downstairs in the houses of Victorian England to decide whether you would have liked to grow up in this fascinating era.

This updated edition is more interactive and informative than ever before, with new infographics, statistics, facts, and timelines designed to educate and entertain. A giant fold-out wall chart of Victorian history provides a useful reference tool for classrooms and bedrooms alike.

Queen Victoria

Non-fiction

This vibrant mini-hardback celebrates the reign of one of Britain’s most iconic rulers. Filled with beautiful illustrations, early photographs and details from throughout her reign. She guided Great Britain through a period of immense change and invention. This book explores the lasting legacy Victoria and her devoted husband, Prince Albert, had on the world.

The latest in the popular V&A Introduces series which celebrates icons of the art and design world.

Skyward: The Story of Female Pilots in WW2

Non-fiction

The year is 1927, and in America, Britain and Russia, three young girls share a dream: to fly. But it won’t be easy… Against the odds, Hazel, Marlene and Lilya follow their hearts, enrolling in pilot courses (sometimes in secret) and eventually flying for their countries in World War II. Follow the adventures of these young women as they battle not only enemies in the skies but sexism and inequality in their own teams. Risking their lives countless times in feats of incredible bravery, the female air pilots of the Second World War are honoured in this beautiful book, illustrated in Sally Deng’s raw, dynamic style.

Woeful Second World War

Non-fiction

Discover all the foul facts about the Woeful Second World War with history’s most horrible headlines.

All the foul facts about the Woeful Second World War are ready to uncover, including:

why the blitzed Brits ate chicken-fruit, sinkers and nutty

what really happened in Dad’s Army

and how to make a rude noise with a gas mask.

* fully illustrated throughout and packed with horrible stories – with all the horribly hilarious bits included

* with a fresh take on the classic Horrible Histories style, perfect for fans old and new

* the perfect series for anyone looking for a fun and informative read

* Horrible Histories has been entertaining children and families for generations with books, TV, stage show, magazines, games and 2019’s brilliantly funny Horrible Histories: the Movie – Rotten Romans.

Get your history right here and collect the whole horrible lot.

Read all about it!

Frightful First World War

Non-fiction

Discover all the foul facts about the ‘Great’ War with history’s most horrible headlines: Frightful First World War edition. The master of making history fun, Terry Deary gives us all the facts on the First World War including what the ‘Fat King’ did with food scraps and dead horses, how sniffing your own pee could save your life in a gas attack and why a pair of old socks gave away top German secrets. It’s all in Horrible Histories: Frightful First World War.

fully illustrated throughout and packed with toe-curling stories- with all the horribly hilarious bits included

with a fresh takeon the classic Horrible Histories style, perfect for fans old and new

the perfect series for anyonelooking for a fun and informative read

Horrible Histories has been entertainingchildren and families for generations with books, TV, stage show, magazines, games and 2019’s brilliantly funny Horrible Histories: the Movie – Rotten Romans.

Get your history right here and collect the whole horrible lot.

Read all about it!

The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War II

Non-fiction

A personal, powerful and resonant account of the Holocaust by one of this country’s best-loved children’s authors. By turns charming, shocking and heart-breaking, this is the true story of Michael Rosen’s search for his relatives who “went missing” during the Second World War – told through prose, poetry, maps and pictures.

When Michael was growing up, stories often hung in the air about his great-uncles: one was a clock-mender and the other a dentist. They were there before the war , his dad would say, and weren’t after .

Over many years, Michael tried to find out exactly what happened: he interviewed family members, scoured the internet, pored over books and traveled to America and France. The story he uncovered was one of terrible persecution – and it has inspired his poetry for years since.

Here, poems old and new are balanced against an immensely readable narrative; both an extraordinary account and a powerful tool for talking to children about the Holocaust.

Daily Life in Ancient Sumer

Non-fiction

This book explores what life was really like for everyday people in Ancient Sumer. Using primary sources and information from archeological discoveries, it uncovers some fascinating insights and explodes some myths. Supported by timelines, maps and references to important events and people, children will really feel they are on a time-travelling journey when reading this book.

The History Detective Investigates: The Indus Valley

Non-fiction

How were the cities of the Indus Valley built? What were homes like? What food did people eat? What gods were worshipped?

This book helps children at Key Stage 2 discover the answers to these and other fascinating questions. It also recommends sites on the Internet and sources in your local library where you can find out more about the Indus Valley. The detective shows readers how to create your own project about daily life in Mohenjo-Daro, make Indus Valley-style figurine and interview the rulers of the Indus Valley.

Packed with fascinating information, The History Detective Investigates series inspires children’s curiosity to find out more about the past. A great tool for readers age 8+ or teachers looking for books to support the new curriculum for 2014.

Mayan Civilization

The History Detective Investigates: Mayan Civilization

Non-fiction

Who were the Maya? Why did the Maya build temples? What was Mayan writing like? How did the Maya dress? This book helps children at Key Stage 2 discover the answers to these and other fascinating questions. It also recommends sites on the Internet and sources in your local library where you can find out more about Maya civilisation. The detective shows readers how to make a pictorial timeline of important Maya kings, construct your own model pyramid, based on a real Maya one and find ways to make delicious Maya meals. Packed with fascinating information, The History Detective Investigates series inspires children’s curiosity to find out more about the past. A great tool for readers age 8+ or teachers looking for books to support the new curriculum for 2014.

What's new on BooksForTopics?

Join our Mailing List

For the latest news on primary books and our booklists, as well as a chance to win in on one of our regular giveaways, sign up to our mailing list!

Subscribe
BooksForTopics
Email: [email protected]
Subscribe to our Mailing List
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Tiktok

Booklists by Topic

Booklists by Age

More About Us

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, BooksForTopics earns from qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate partner of Bookshop.Org and Peters, BooksForTopics may earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to learn more.

Website designed by Speckled Frog

© BooksForTopics 2015-2024

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?

yes

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Any other comments

Any other comments