Historical Fiction Books for Kids

When Christopher Columbus landed on the island of San Salvador in 1492, what he discovered were the Taino Indians.

Told from a young Taino boy’s point of view, this is a story of how the boy tried to warn his people against welcoming the strangers, who seemed more interested in golden ornaments than friendship.

Years later the boy, now an old man, looks back at the destruction of his people and their culture by the colonizers.

A day in the life of a young girl from more than 20,000 years ago comes alive in this wonderful story.

It is the age of the Neanderthals in the history of humanity, more than 20,000 years ago. A young girl named Nora, along with her cousin Runi, is excited for a day of rabbit hunting, wanting to help their families survive the upcoming tough, cold winter.

The cousins are still honing their skills and are grateful they have been allowed to undertake this important task. To prepare, they sharpen their handmade wooden spears with a flaked stone tool. They head off down the mountain, scanning their surroundings for evidence of small prey—footprints, broken twigs, droppings.

The Virginia Mysteries are modern-day fictional adventures tied to real history.

Follow brothers Sam and Derek and friend Caitlin on searches for lost coins, missing documents from America’s Founding Fathers, ghost stories from the Civil War, an alligator-filled hotel, a mysterious hidden mansion, archeological digs, chase spies in the nation’s capital, and historic homes of former residents!

Idia of the Benin Kingdom is an empowering children's picture book that takes readers on a beautifully illustrated journey to the 1500s in ancient Africa.

Readers are captivated as they watch Idia transform herself from the young and curious daughter of a village warrior to becoming the Queen of the Kingdom of Benin.

Idia was a queen who helped rule the ancient kingdom of Benin with her wisdom, charisma, and prowess. Much has been written about her bravery, and artifacts in her image are treasured in museums all over the world.

This book imagines what her childhood may have been like, and shares the story of this well-loved and successful African queen in a way that is relatable to young readers.

Chebron, the young son of an Egyptian high priest, and Amuba, a young slave in the boy's household, are close friends; but their lives are greatly altered when Chebron accidentally kills a cat, an animal held sacred by the ancient Egyptians.

Forced to flee for their safety, the boys and their companions begin a long and dangerous journey.

A thrilling adventure story, this is also a tale packed with historical facts. Among other fascinating details, young readers learn about the Egyptian religion and geography, how the Nile was used for irrigation, and how the Egyptians made war and were prepared for burial.

A captivating book that accurately describes life in a once magnificent civilization, this volume will especially appeal to youngsters fascinated by the life and customs of ancient Egypt.

This enduring survival story set at the end of the last Ice Age.

When Maroo and her family become trapped on the Great Plain in blizzard conditions and with little food, they have only one chance of survival: for Maroo and her younger brother, Otak, to reach the winter camp and get help. 

This modern classic offers readers a gripping tale of survival as well as a vivid portrait of prehistoric people.

Sydney Taylor's beloved All-of-a-Kind Family series chronicles a Jewish immigrant family at the beginning of the twentieth century. The richly drawn characters, based on Taylor's own life, include five sisters—Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, Gertie—and their mischievous brother, Charlie. 

Little House in the Big Woods takes place in 1871 and introduces us to four-year-old Laura, who lives in a log cabin on the edge of the Big Woods of Wisconsin. She shares the cabin with her Pa, her Ma, her sisters Mary and Carrie, and their lovable dog, Jack.

Pioneer life isn’t easy for the Ingalls family, since they must grow or catch all their own food as they get ready for the cold winter. But they make the best of every tough situation.

Based on a true story, this heartwarming picture book shows how one gift changed the fate of a poor Ugandan family—especially the young girl who wanted to go to school.

More than anything, Beatrice longs to be a schoolgirl. But in her small African village, only children who can afford uniforms and books can go to school. Beatrice knows that with six children to care for, her family is much too poor. But then Beatrice receives a wonderful gift—a goat!

While Nora waits impatiently for dinner, her father stirs up a story from his childhood. During a famine Nora's grandfather must travel over the mountain to find work so he can provide food for his family. While young Ali waits for his father's return, he learns a lesson of patience, perseverance, and hope.

Fold-art illustrations capture the Moroccan culture and landscape

An exciting story that also offers an in-depth look at Native American life centuries ago.

When Ohkwa'ri overhears a group of older boys planning a raid on a neighboring village, he immediately tells his Mohawk elders. He has done the right thing—but he has also made enemies.

Grabber and his friends will do anything they can to hurt him, especially during the village-wide game of Tekwaarathon (lacrosse). Ohkwa'ri believes in the path of peace, but can peaceful ways work against Grabber's wrath?"

The 1619 Project’s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States, thoughtfully rendered by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning author Renée Watson.

A young student receives a family tree assignment in school, but she can only trace back three generations. Grandma gathers the whole family, and the student learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders.

But before that, they had a home, a land, a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the water survived.

Meet Ranger! He's a time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble . . . and always saves the day!

Ranger has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog, but can't officially pass the test because he's always getting distracted by squirrels during exercises. One day, he finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam's family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail, and soon after Ranger arrives he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done, but the Oregon Trail can be dangerous, and the Abbotts need Ranger's help more than they realize!

Throughout the series, Ranger visits many times and places from history...a perfect historical fiction book for kids!

When Jack and Emmie suddenly find themselves transported back to London in 1940, they find a world both familiar, yet very different. As they dodge falling bombs and over-zealous policemen, they befriend Jan - a lonely Polish refugee. Together, they must work out if the shadowy figure they keep seeing is a spy and unlock the secret of getting home again…This educational story helps to weave current views and historical events together in an exciting adventure which will appeal to both boys and girls between 8 and 12.

When eight-year-old Hazel and her crazy little sister, Bess, visit their grandparents’ farmhouse for the summer, they’re given one big rule to follow: Just don’t go in the attic.

Of course, that’s the first rule Bess breaks. And rule-following Hazel doesn’t have a choice. She knows it’s wrong to go in, but she has to get her sister out. And that’s when she discovers the reason behind the rule, a hidden time machine and a trunk full of stolen items from history.

It’s the beginning of a family mystery that takes the girls all through time to return stolen items while trying not to ruin history.

The first stop on this time travel adventure is to 1738 to meet a young George Washington and learn that you don’t have to wait to grow up to know you have what it takes to succeed in life.

The Magic Tree House series has been a beloved favorite for over 25 years and is sure to inspire a love of reading—and adventure—in every child who joins Jack and Annie!

The most terrifying events in history are brought vividly to life in this New York Times bestselling series!

Ten-year-old George Calder can't believe his luck -- he and his little sister, Phoebe, are on the famous Titanic, crossing the ocean with their Aunt Daisy. The ship is full of exciting places to explore, but when George ventures into the first class storage cabin, a terrible boom shakes the entire boat. Suddenly, water is everywhere, and George's life changes forever. Lauren Tarshis brings history's most exciting and terrifying events to life in this New York Times bestselling series.

Readers will be transported by stories of amazing kids and how they survived!

Journey back in time with Geronimo in this fabumouse special edition!

I, Geronimo Stilton, never expected to set paw inside a time machine. But when Professor Paws von Volt invited me to travel with him, I had to accept!

My family came along to help us discover how the dinosaurs became extinct, how the Great Pyramid of Giza was built, and what life was like at King Arthur's court. Along the way I was chased by a Tyrannosaurus rex, almost eaten by a crocodile in the Nile, and asked to save a maiden from an evil knight's castle.

Holey cheese! It was an adventure through history!