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Best Books for Kids » History

Browse book recommendations:

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This section recommends the best history books for kids. Not all of these recommendations are for books explicitly written for children, but simply history books that are accessible to a younger interest—in other words, a good read. In his recommendations for best classics books for teenagers, Olly Murphy recommends, among others, Mary Beard’s SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome and Tom Holland’s Dynasty: the Rise and Fall of the House of Caesar.

Elsewhere Janina Ramirez, cultural historian and author, recommends the best Viking history books for kids and KJ Whittaker recommends the best historical fiction for teens.

    The Best History Books for Teenagers, recommended by Alex (age 16)

  • Read
    The Best History Books for Teenagers - An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris

    1

    An Officer and a Spy
    by Robert Harris

  • Read
    The Best History Books for Teenagers - The Price of Glory: Verdun 1916 by Alistair Horne

    2

    The Price of Glory: Verdun 1916
    by Alistair Horne

  • Read
    The Best History Books for Teenagers - The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William Shirer

    3

    The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany
    by William Shirer

  • Read
    The Best History Books for Teenagers - Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia by Marc Favreau

    4

    Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia
    by Marc Favreau

  • Read
    The Best History Books for Teenagers - Pompeii by Robert Harris

    5

    Pompeii
    by Robert Harris

  • It's tricky finding history books for teenagers at an age when they are too old for children's books, but not yet ready to read long, weighty tomes with lots of footnotes. Alex, a UK-based history fan who previously chose books for us age 10, returns to Five Books to recommend his selection of the best history books for teenagers.

  • The Best History Books for Teenagers - An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris
  • The Best History Books for Teenagers - The Price of Glory: Verdun 1916 by Alistair Horne
  • The Best History Books for Teenagers - The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William Shirer
  • The Best History Books for Teenagers - Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia by Marc Favreau
  • The Best History Books for Teenagers - Pompeii by Robert Harris

The Best History Books for Teenagers, recommended by Alex (age 16)

It’s tricky finding history books for teenagers at an age when they are too old for children’s books, but not yet ready to read long, weighty tomes with lots of footnotes. Alex, a UK-based history fan who previously chose books for us age 10, returns to Five Books to recommend his selection of the best history books for teenagers.

The Best History Books for Teenagers, recommended by Alex (age 16)

    The Best Classics Books for Children, recommended by Annelise Gray

  • Read
    The Best Classics Books for Children - D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d'Aulaire and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire

    1

    D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
    by Ingri d'Aulaire and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire

  • Read
    The Best Classics Books for Children - The Odyssey by Gillian Cross & Neil Packer (Illustrator)

    2

    The Odyssey
    by Gillian Cross & Neil Packer (Illustrator)

  • Read
    The Best Classics Books for Children - The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

    3

    The Eagle of the Ninth
    by Rosemary Sutcliff

  • Read
    The Best Classics Books for Children - The Story of Antigone by Ali Smith & Laura Paoletti (Illustrator)

    4

    The Story of Antigone
    by Ali Smith & Laura Paoletti (Illustrator)

  • Read
    The Best Classics Books for Children - Empire's End: A Roman Story by Leila Rasheed

    5

    Empire's End: A Roman Story
    by Leila Rasheed

  • Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire continue to fascinate children and provide fertile ground for historical novels that resonate with today’s readers. Author and classicist Annelise Gray talks us through some of her favourite books for children set in the ancient Mediterranean world and Roman Britain.

  • The Best Classics Books for Children - D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d'Aulaire and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
  • The Best Classics Books for Children - The Odyssey by Gillian Cross & Neil Packer (Illustrator)
  • The Best Classics Books for Children - The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
  • The Best Classics Books for Children - The Story of Antigone by Ali Smith & Laura Paoletti (Illustrator)
  • The Best Classics Books for Children - Empire's End: A Roman Story by Leila Rasheed

The Best Classics Books for Children, recommended by Annelise Gray

Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire continue to fascinate children and provide fertile ground for historical novels that resonate with today’s readers. Author and classicist Annelise Gray talks us through some of her favourite books for children set in the ancient Mediterranean world and Roman Britain.

The Best Classics Books for Children, recommended by Annelise Gray

    The Best Classics Books for Teenagers, recommended by Olly Murphy

  • Read
    The Best Classics Books for Teenagers - The Silence of the Girls: A Novel by Pat Barker

    1

    The Silence of the Girls: A Novel
    by Pat Barker

  • Read
    The Best Classics Books for Teenagers - SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard

    2

    SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome
    by Mary Beard

  • Read
    The Best Classics Books for Teenagers - Dynasty by Tom Holland

    3

    Dynasty
    by Tom Holland

  • Read
    The Best Classics Books for Teenagers - Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Robert Harris

    4

    Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome
    by Robert Harris

  • Read
    The Best Classics Books for Teenagers - The Hemlock Cup by Bettany Hughes

    5

    The Hemlock Cup
    by Bettany Hughes

  • Caesar, Cicero, Achilles, Socrates, Plato: millennia later, we still talk about them. Olly Murphy, classics teacher at Wycombe Abbey, one of England's top girls' schools, recommends books and explains why classics remains one of the most exciting subjects for teenagers to study.

  • The Best Classics Books for Teenagers - The Silence of the Girls: A Novel by Pat Barker
  • The Best Classics Books for Teenagers - SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard
  • The Best Classics Books for Teenagers - Dynasty by Tom Holland
  • The Best Classics Books for Teenagers - Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Robert Harris
  • The Best Classics Books for Teenagers - The Hemlock Cup by Bettany Hughes

The Best Classics Books for Teenagers, recommended by Olly Murphy

Caesar, Cicero, Achilles, Socrates, Plato: millennia later, we still talk about them. Olly Murphy, classics teacher at Wycombe Abbey, one of England’s top girls’ schools, recommends books and explains why classics remains one of the most exciting subjects for teenagers to study.

The Best Classics Books for Teenagers, recommended by Olly Murphy

    The Best Viking History Books for Kids, selected by Janina Ramirez

  • Read
    The Best Viking History Books for Kids - Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

    1

    Norse Mythology
    by Neil Gaiman

  • Read
    The Best Viking History Books for Kids - Viking Boy by Tony Bradman

    2

    Viking Boy
    by Tony Bradman

  • Read
    The Best Viking History Books for Kids - Beowulf by Michael Morpurgo

    3

    Beowulf
    by Michael Morpurgo

  • Read
    The Best Viking History Books for Kids - Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce

    4

    Framed
    by Frank Cottrell Boyce

  • Read
    The Best Viking History Books for Kids - Horrible Histories: The Vicious Vikings by Terry Deary

    5

    Horrible Histories: The Vicious Vikings
    by Terry Deary

  • Celebrated Anglo-Saxonist and art historian Janina Ramirez has written her first book for children: a Viking mystery with a fearless young heroine, Alva – both detective and shield-maiden. Here, Dr Ramirez recommends five superb history books to help young readers get an in-depth understanding of this exciting and often misunderstood era.

  • The Best Viking History Books for Kids - Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
  • The Best Viking History Books for Kids - Viking Boy by Tony Bradman
  • The Best Viking History Books for Kids - Beowulf by Michael Morpurgo
  • The Best Viking History Books for Kids - Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce
  • The Best Viking History Books for Kids - Horrible Histories: The Vicious Vikings by Terry Deary

The Best Viking History Books for Kids, selected by Janina Ramirez

Celebrated Anglo-Saxonist and art historian Janina Ramirez has written her first book for children: a Viking mystery with a fearless young heroine, Alva – both detective and shield-maiden. Here, Dr Ramirez recommends five superb history books to help young readers get an in-depth understanding of this exciting and often misunderstood era.

The Best Viking History Books for Kids, selected by Janina Ramirez

    The Best Historical Fiction for Teens, recommended by KJ Whittaker

  • Read
    The Best Historical Fiction for Teens - Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve

    1

    Here Lies Arthur
    by Philip Reeve

  • Read
    The Best Historical Fiction for Teens - Secrets and Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

    2

    Secrets and Sapphires
    by Leila Rasheed

  • Read
    The Best Historical Fiction for Teens - The Sterkarm Handshake by Susan Price

    3

    The Sterkarm Handshake
    by Susan Price

  • Read
    The Best Historical Fiction for Teens - Hell and Highwater by Tanya Landman

    4

    Hell and Highwater
    by Tanya Landman

  • Read
    The Best Historical Fiction for Teens - The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo by Catherine Johnson

    5

    The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo
    by Catherine Johnson

  • Historical novelist K J Whittaker takes us on a time-travelling adventure as she selects five brilliant historical novels for teens.

  • The Best Historical Fiction for Teens - Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve
  • The Best Historical Fiction for Teens - Secrets and Sapphires by Leila Rasheed
  • The Best Historical Fiction for Teens - The Sterkarm Handshake by Susan Price
  • The Best Historical Fiction for Teens - Hell and Highwater by Tanya Landman
  • The Best Historical Fiction for Teens - The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo by Catherine Johnson

The Best Historical Fiction for Teens, recommended by KJ Whittaker

Historical novelist K J Whittaker takes us on a time-travelling adventure as she selects five brilliant historical novels for teens.

The Best Historical Fiction for Teens, recommended by KJ Whittaker

    The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds, recommended by Alex (age 10)

  • Read
    The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - Horrible Histories: USA by Terry Deary

    1

    Horrible Histories: USA
    by Terry Deary

  • Read
    The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - Horrible Histories: Barmy British Empire by Terry Deary

    2

    Horrible Histories: Barmy British Empire
    by Terry Deary

  • Read
    The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - My Story: Desert Danger by Jim Eldridge

    3

    My Story: Desert Danger
    by Jim Eldridge

  • Read
    The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - My Story: The Trenches by Jim Eldridge

    4

    My Story: The Trenches
    by Jim Eldridge

  • Read
    The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - My Story: U-Boat Hunter by Bryan Perrett

    5

    My Story: U-Boat Hunter
    by Bryan Perrett

  • Are you trying to get your son or daughter into reading more history? Here Alex, a 10-year old boy living in Oxfordshire in the UK, shares some of his favourites.

  • The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - Horrible Histories: USA by Terry Deary
  • The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - Horrible Histories: Barmy British Empire by Terry Deary
  • The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - My Story: Desert Danger by Jim Eldridge
  • The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - My Story: The Trenches by Jim Eldridge
  • The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - My Story: U-Boat Hunter by Bryan Perrett

The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds, recommended by Alex (age 10)

Are you trying to get your son or daughter into reading more history? Here Alex, a 10-year old boy living in Oxfordshire in the UK, shares some of his favourites.

The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds, recommended by Alex (age 10)

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