Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Home > Books

Topic: History

Chapter book

The history and partnership of the Angles and Saxons are explored in this thrilling adventure about the trials and tribulations of their settlement in Britain.

Oslaf works hard to prove his worth in the village: he labours on the farm, he trains as a warrior and he is slowly finding his place in the community. But when the Chieftain makes the decision to move the village across the sea to the great new land of Britannia, suddenly the Britons are a greater threat than Oslaf’s rivalry with the Chieftain’s son, Wermund. Can the Angles and the Saxons defeat the Britons? And will Oslaf be as brave as the hero in the tale of Beowulf?

This exciting and dramatic story is packed with great characters and insight into the Angles’ migration, settlement and partnership with the Saxons in 6th century Britain.

Non-fiction

Step back in time to Ancient Rome and meet some of the many people who lived, worked, and played during that time. From a young slave boy to a fierce gladiator, a musician to a wealthy lady, and a mosaic artist to the emperor himself – each one will share with you the story of their own daily life. Together, they are the Romans.

Featuring 19 different characters from Roman times, as well as an introduction to the Roman world, a map of the empire and a timeline of key events, this book provides a new angle on a classic subject, bringing the ancient world to life.

Non-fiction

A beautifully illustrated collection of 20 ancient Egyptian myths retold for children aged 7-9.

Delve into a world of monstrous creatures, magical spells, and warring gods in this thrilling compendium of ancient Egyptian myths. With 20 exciting tales alongside fascinating historical information, this is a must-have introduction for young readers interested in one of the world’s great early civilizations.

From the creation of the world to the first pharaohs, this book charts the full sweep of ancient Egyptian mythology, revealing fascinating elements of culture and religion along the way. The enthralling stories introduce mighty gods and wicked villains, while a handy reference section is packed with information about the ancient Egyptians themselves. Learn how Ra fought daily battles to make the Sun rise, how trouble-making Set brought chaos to the kingdom, and how Osiris became the first mummy. Perfect for children aged 7 to 9, this collection contains more than 20 enthralling new retellings of favourite myths as well as some you might not have heard before.

Non-fiction

Zoom in to discover what life was like for Ancient Romans in this innovative and interactive illustrated title that takes you right into their fascinating world!

Learn what life was like for the Romans – from the Senate and the Colosseum to the market, the public baths and beyond! Using the free magnifying glass, seek out incredible facts about ancient Rome in this search-and-find adventure, packed with over 200 things to spot .

Children will love discovering a typical Roman market, meeting fearsome gladiators and seeing what a temple, school and villa were like, with authentic detail and cutaway scenes. The artwork bursts with hidden detail and bustles with action, and detailed factual text will tell you everything you need to know about the different areas of Roman life.

Chapter book

A fast-paced adventure, this story brings to life one of Africa’s most fascinating civilizations, the ancient Edo Kingdom of Benin. This is an immersive adventure story and perfect for any child who enjoys being transported to another world. It fits well with the increasing interest in African fiction and stories that are inclusive, diverse and explore a greater range of cultures, stories and settings. The historical Benin Kingdom is now an option for UK primary teachers at KS2, (ages 7 – 11) and as exciting, accurate historical fiction this is the perfect reader for teachers looking to diversify their history teaching. The book includes a factual section at the end, to help readers widen their knowledge of the ancient Kingdom of Benin and West African culture and traditions. Teachers notes, linked to the text, are also available to download for free from the publishers, Dinosaur Books Ltd.

Chapter book

It’s 1917. Lily spends her days working in a munitions factory, her nights picking metal out of her hair, and her lunchtimes kicking a ball with her workmates.

Together they form a football team, the Rockets, and a league soon follows. But when the war ends, the girls lose both their jobs and their football.

Not Lily. If her only chance of being a goalie is to play with the men, then that’s what she’ll do …

Chapter book

In the seaside town of Whitby, when the United Kingdom is on the cusp of World War One, Evie and her family are touched by tragedy when Evie’s younger brother Alexander dies unexpectedly.

As Evie’s mother and father struggle in their own ways to come to terms with their loss, Evie’s older brother David distracts himself with the ever-growing threat of war and Evie and her sister Kitty find ways to keep their spirits up.

But when the threat of war turns into reality and David enlists in the army, Evie’s mother is truly heartbroken. And as the family does their best to contribute to the war effort, they also struggle with the sacrifices each of them are forced to make.

A doctress

An activist

An inspiration

Mary Seacole is now known for her medical work in the Crimean war, and as a brilliant woman who combated the racial prejudice she experienced in her lifetime. But for a long time her story was lost.

From growing up in Kingston, Jamaica as the daughter of a doctress to helping soldiers in the war, discover the details of the amazing life that Mary Seacole led in this beautifully illustrated book with real-life stories, timelines and facts.

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