Historical Fiction BOOKS for Kids Arranged by Time Period

Learn about history with fun and exciting historical fiction for kids. These historical fiction books for kids are the best way to get kids excited about history. Vivid stories make the sights, sounds, and feelings of that moment in history come alive. Kids won’t even realize they are learning because they will be having so much fun enjoying a really great story! We have historical fiction children’s books for kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, historical fiction books for 3rd graders, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students. These children’s historical fiction cover ancient civilizations, middle ages, early explorers, colonial america, world war 1, and more!

Historical fiction for kids

Have you discoveredhistorical fiction for kids? They are actually my favorite books! Not only will you get engrossed in an amazing story, but you will end up learning a lot too!  Historical Fiction makes learning about history exciting for kids because they will relive the time period through a fun and exciting story.  Although the characters are fictional, they are based on people who could have existed based on historical data. The stories will be filled with interesting, factual information that help paint a picture of what life was like for those who lived at that moment in history. These historical fiction short stories for 4th grade are filled with exciting stories from ancient civilications until th epresent times. Use these historical fiction time periods are perfect for kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 students.

Whether they are learning about Ancient Egypt, the Revolutionary War, World War 2, or September 11th – there is an exciting historical fiction book to make it come alive for those that find it.

Historical fiction books for kids

Whether you are a teacher, homeschooler, or a parent looking for some fun, educational books over break – I challenge you to read something worthwhile! The following list contains over 100 of the best historical fiction:

• 4th-6th graders to read themselves 
• Read Aloud to Kindergarten-3rd grade 
• Arranged chronologically – no matter what you are studying or what your child’s interests are at the moment, there’s a book for that.

Please remember that although I’ve done my best to list only the best, please be sensitive to your particular child when picking a book. All these books are also highly rated on Amazon by hundreds and hundreds of others who have enjoyed them as well.

What is a historical fiction book for 4th graders?

If you are looking for a historical fiction series, I suggest the I Survived Series (written as if first hand from a child observer) and the An Interactive History Adventure where you choose your own ending books. Not only do kids love that they get to pick elements to how the story turns out, but these books are routed in history. You will be amazed by the historical facts woven throughout.

Ancient Civilizations Books for Kids

Ancient Egypt: An Interactive History Adventure by Heather Adamson (3100-32 BC) is a choose your own path story that gives kids different perspectives of life in Ancient Egypt.

Ancient China: An Interactive History Adventure by Terry Collins introduces kids to life in Ancient China, and gives them a chance to choose the direction of the story.

Building the Great Wall of China: An Interactive Engineering Adventure by Allison Lassieur (220-206 BC) explores the way the building of the Great Wall of China influenced life for people living in China. Kids can choose what path they want to take with 24 different possible endings.

Ancient Greece: An Interactive History Adventure by William Caper (800-146 BC) gives kids a chance to try out different careers during the age of Ancient Greece by making choices throughout the book.

Ancient Rome: An Interactive History Adventure by Rachael Hanel (753 BC – 500 AD) is an interactive walk through life in Ancient Rome, giving the reader a chance to walk in the shoes of different people living at the time.

Life as a Gladiator: An Interactive History Adventure by Michael Burgan offers kids a chance to explore life as a gladiator in Rome through 3 different story paths with 18 possible endings.

 

Middle Ages Historical Fiction for Kids

I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii by Lauren Tarshis (79) takes readers through the eruption of Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii through the eyes of a young boy named Marcus.

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli (500-1500) is set in medieval times and tells the story of a young boy named Robin, who loses the use of his legs and goes on a journey to see the king.

The Middle Ages: An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur (500-1500) offers different paths for the reader to take through life in the Middle Ages, exploring life in a castle and the Black Death.

The Edge on the Sword by Rebecca Tingle (800s) is a mix of fantasy and history which follows the young daughter of a King as she is forced to take on adult responsibilities for the sake of her kingdom.

Life as a Knight: An Interactive History Adventure by Rachael Hanel (500-1500) introduces kids to life as a knight in Medieval Europe, and offers them choices to follow different paths.

Life as a Viking: An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur (793-1066) gives kids a chance to choose between 3 different story paths following the footsteps of Viking warriors.

Life as a Samurai: An Interactive History Adventure by Matt Doeden (1100-1600) offers kids a chance to explore the lifestyle of Samurai warriors in medieval Japan by choosing their own story path.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park (1170s) follows a young boy named Tree-ear who wants to impress Min, the master potter, in hopes of learning his craft.

The Aztec Empire: An Interactive History Adventure by Elizabeth Raum (1427-1521) is a choose your own story book that offers the reader a chance to explore life as different people living during time of the Aztec Empire.

Life as a Ninja: An Interactive History Adventure by Matt Doeden (1467-1700) gives readers a chance to choose their own path as a ninja in feudal Japan.

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood (1601) tells the story of Widge, an orphan whose master forces him to steal Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” from the Globe Theater where his actors perform.

 

Early Explorers Historical FIction for Kids

Exploring the New World: An Interactive History Adventure by Melody Herr (1492-1682) puts readers in the shoes of explorers during the 16th and 17th centuries through different story paths they can choose.

Blood on the River: James Town, 1607 by Elisa Carbone (1607) follows a 12 year old boy named Samuel Collier as he ventures to the New World on John Smith’s ship, and discovers it is nothing like he imagined.

Colonial America: An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur (1607-1776) introduces life in the American colonies through 3 story paths that put the reader into the day to day decisions of people living during the time.

The Golden Age of Pirates: An Interactive History Adventure by Bob Temple (1650-1733) takes readers out onto the seas in this choose your own adventure book about pirate life during the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (1687; no witch or witchcraft!) tells the story of Kit Tyler, a young girl who finds herself alone in colonial Connecticut, and befriends a woman labeled a witch by the other colonists.

The Matchlock Gun by Walter D. Edmonds (1756) follows a young boy named Edward who is left to protect his family from the French and the Indians when his father is called away.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (1760) is a tale of adventure, sharing the story of Jim Hawkins, a young boy who sets sail with a team of sailors in an attempt to find buried treasure.

 

American Revolutionary War Historical Fiction for Kids

The Boston Massacre: An Interactive History Adventure by Elizabeth Raum (1770) asks readers to decide what they would have done during the Boston Massacre, putting them in the shoes of an apprentice, a soldier, or a maid.

Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons by Ann Rinaldi (1770) tells the story of Phillis Wheatley, a young girl sold into slavery who became America’s first published black poet.

Johnny Tremain by Esther Hoskins Forbes (1773) follows a young boy named Johnny who injures his hand and finds new work as a messenger for the Sons of Liberty, becoming involved in the events leading up to the American Revolution.

The Battle of Bunker Hill: An Interactive History Adventure by Michael Burgan (1775) sends readers to the Revolutionary War, putting them in the shoes of a Patriot, a British soldier, or a civilian in Boston.

The Revolutionary War: An Interactive History Adventure by Elizabeth Raum (late 1775-1783) encourages readers to choose what path to take in the shoes of a Patriot, a loyalist, or a Daughter of the American Revolution.

 

1800s  (Early American Historical Fiction & Stories from Around the Globe)

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (1775-1783) shares the story of a young slave girl named Isabel who wants freedom, and has to decide if spying on her owners, who know the British plans, is worth achieving her goal.

Westward Expansion: An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur (1807-1912) puts readers on the path out West during the Westward Expansion, offering 3 story paths for them to choose, with 19 possible endings.

The Oregon Trail: An Interactive History Adventure by Matt Doeden (1811-1840) encourages readers to imagine life as settlers making their way West on the Oregon Trail.

The Wild West: An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur (1775-1912) takes readers on a journey through the Wild West, offering different story paths for them to choose, inspired by real life events.

Trapped between Lash and Gun by Arvella Whitmore (1800s) is a time traveling story that follows a young boy who finds himself called back to the 19th century, and thrown into life as a slave.

There’s a Dead Person Following My Sister Around by Vivian Vande Velde (1800s) explores the Underground Railroad through the story of a young boy named Ted and the ghosts that are haunting his house.

The Child Labor Reform Movement: An Interactive History Adventure by Steven Otfinoski (1800s) takes readers into the mills and factories of the 1800s as a child worker. Kids can choose between 3 different story paths with 23 possible endings.

The Town that Fooled the British by Lisa Papp (1812) is a story of the War of 1812, told through the eyes of a young boy in the town of St. Michaels, Maryland, which the British targeted.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (1832) follows 13 year old Charlotte Doyle as she returns home to Rhode Island in 1832 from school in England, only to find herself wrapped up in a conflict between the ship’s captain and his mutinous crew.

The Battle of the Alamo: An Interactive History Adventure by Amie Jane Leavitt (1836) takes readers to the battle of the Alamo in 1836 through either the eyes of a Mexican soldier, or a Texan rebel.

Lyddie by Katherine Paterson (1843) shares the story of a young girl named Lyddie who travels to Lowell, Massachusetts to find work in a textile mill in order to save her family.

Nory Ryan’s Song by Patricia Reilly Giff (1845-1852) introduces kids to the Great Famine in Ireland through the story of a 12 year old girl named Nory Ryan and her struggle to help her family survive.

Irish Immigrants in America: An Interactive History Adventure by Elizabeth Raum (1846) places readers in the shoes of Irish Immigrants moving to New York in 1846 through three different story paths and 15 possible endings.

German Immigrants in America: An Interactive History Adventure by Elizabeth Raum (1840-1914) explores the experiences of German immigrants arriving in America during three different time periods and in three different states.

Patty Reed’s Doll: The Story of the Donner Party by Ms. Rachel K. Laurgaard (1846) tells the story of the Donner Party, from the perspective of Dolly, the wooden doll that 8 year old Patty Reed kept in her dress during their harrowing time stranded in the snowy mountains.

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell by Kristiana Gregory (1847) shares the story of 13 year old Hattie Campbell, told through her diary entries during her family’s migration to Oregon in a covered wagon.

The California Gold Rush: An Interactive History Adventure by Elizabeth Raum (1848-1855) gives readers a chance to head to California and try to strike it rich through 2 story paths with 54 possible choices to make.

Sounder by William H. Armstrong (1850-1900s) tells the story of a young boy and his family’s faithful dog Sounder, and their struggle to keep the family going after their father is taken away in handcuffs.

Chinese Immigrants in America: An Interactive History Adventure by Kelley Hunsicker (1850s) dives into the experiences of Chinese immigrants arriving in the United States in 1850 through 3 different story paths and 18 possible endings.

Orphan Trains: An Interactive History Adventure by Elizabeth Raum (1850-1929) explores the harrowing lives of young orphans in the early 1900s, who were sent west on trains in hopes of finding them families.

Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan (1850s) tells the story of Charlotte Parkhurst, a woman who became a famous stage-coach driver and eventually settled out West, all while pretending to be a man.

The Underground Railroad: An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur (1850s) is a choose your own path story that puts the reader in the shoes of people along the Underground Railroad, trying to find freedom.

The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel by Deborah Hopkinson (1854) follows a young boy named Eel and his best friend as they try to discover the mystery behind the cholera outbreak in London in 1854.

Boston Jane: An Adventure by Jennifer L. Holm (1855) shares the story of Jane Peck, a young girl who is trying to be accepted as a proper young lady, and follows her betrothed to the wild Pacific Northwest.

The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl, Belmont Plantation by Patricia C. McKissack (1859) uses diary entries to share the story of Clotee, a 12 year old slave girl who becomes a conductor of the Underground Railroad.

Old Yeller (Perennial Classics) by Fred Gipson (1860) introduces the reader to 14 year old Travis and his best friend, a yellow dog named Old Yeller, and their struggles to care for the family in frontier Texas.

The Civil War: An Interactive History Adventure by Matt Doeden (1861-1865) gives readers a chance to step into the shoes of a Union soldier, a Confederate soldier, or a civilian during the Civil War.

Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder (post Civil War) explores the aftermath of the Civil War through the story of young boy named Will whose family was all killed in the war, and who has to go live with distant relatives in Virginia.

The Battle of Bull Run: An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur (1861) asks readers to choose between 3 story paths in order to put themselves in the middle of the Battle of Bull Run.

Building the Transcontinental Railroad: An Interactive Engineering Adventure by Steven Otfinoski (1863-1869) explores the construction of the railroad across North America through 3 different story paths.

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink (1864) tells the story of an adventurous young girl who would rather hunt, plow, or be friends with the local Indians, than sew or bake like young girls are expected to.

I Survived the Great Chicago Fire by Lauren Tarshis (1871) takes readers to 1871 and puts them in the middle of the Great Chicago Fire with a boy named Oscar.

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne (1872) follows Phineas Fogg on his adventurous journey across land and sea to make it around the world in 80 days.

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1874) takes readers on a journey by covered wagon to the Kansas Territory along with young Laura Ingalls and her family.

White Fang by Jack London (late 1800s) introduces readers to White Fang, a wild wolfdog living in the Yukon Territory in Canada during the Klondike Gold Rush during the 1890s.

Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter (late 1800s) tells the story of Pollyanna, a young orphan girl who is forced to go and live with her strict aunt in New England, and wins everyone over with her positive attitude.

 

1900s (World War 1, World War 2, The Great Depression, and more)

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt (early 1900s) shares the true story of an island community’s destruction, and the friendship between a young minister’s son and a girl from the poor island community founded by slaves.

Ellis Island: An Interactive History Adventure by Michael Burgan (1900s) puts the reader in the shoes of immigrants leaving their homes in the early 1900s and coming through Ellis Island to start their new lives in the United States.

The Diary of Zipporah Feldman, a Jewish Immigrant Girl, New York City by Kathryn Lasky (1903) is a diary style story that shares what life was like for a young immigrant girl living in New York City in 1903.

I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake by Lauren Tarshis (1906) shares the terrifying events surrounding the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco through the eyes of a young newsboy named Leo.

The Orphan Of Ellis Island by Elvira Woodruff (1908) is a time travel story that follows a young boy named Dominic who escapes a field trip to Ellis Island with his class, and finds himself whisked back in time to Italy in 1908.

The Titanic: An Interactive History Adventure by Bob Temple (1911) takes readers to the deck of the Titanic on the night it sinks, and offers them 35 choices to decide their own ending.

World War I: An Interactive History Adventure by Gwenyth Swain (1914-1918) gives readers a chance to choose between 3 different story paths, to better understand life during World War I and the choices people were forced to make.

I Survived The Shark Attacks of 1916 by Lauren Tarshis (1916) is based on true events from the Jersey Shore in 1916, and follows a young boy named Chet as he comes face to face with a terrifying great white shark.

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool (1917) follows a young girl named Abilene as she heads to Manifest, Kansas, the town where her father grew up, and is drawn into a historical mystery.

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson (1918) tells the story of Hattie Brooks, a sixteen year old girl who moves to Montana and tries to make it on her own with the support of her new German neighbors.

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan (1918) shares the story of a young girl named Rachel Sheridan who finds herself alone and vulnerable in Africa after her missionary parents get sick, and winds up heading to England in the middle of a criminal scheme.

Witness by Karen Hesse (1924) takes readers to a small Vermont town in 1924 as the Ku Klux Klan moves in and turns neighbor against neighbor.

The Great Depression: An Interactive History Adventure by Michael Burgan (1929-1940) encourages readers to imagine life during the Great Depression through 3 different story paths with 22 possible endings.

A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck (1929-1942) joins two young siblings over 9 important summers with their grandmother.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (1930) tells the story of a young boy named Billy and his two loyal hunting dogs Old Dan and Little Ann, and the tragic lessons that he learns.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor (1930) is a story of life in Mississippi during the Depression, and one family’s struggle against racism and social injustice.

Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin (1930s) shares the story of Sasha Zaichik, a ten year old boy joining the Soviet Young Pioneers and dealing with his life changing all around him.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (1931) is an illustrated mystery about a a young orphan thief, a young girl, and an old man. The illustrations tell the story, with bold images taking up more of the pages than text.

The Dust Bowl: An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur (1932-1934) explores life in the Dust Bowl with 3 different story paths for readers to choose from and 10 possible endings.

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr (1933) follows a young girl named Anna whose family struggles to get to safety during Hitler’s rule over Germany.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko (1935) shares the story of a young boy living at Alcatraz, and the famous criminals being held at the prison at the time.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (1936) tells the story of a 10 year old boy named Bud who hits the road to find a mystery man that he thinks may lead him to his unknown father.

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli (1939) takes readers to Nazi occupied Warsaw during World War II through the eyes of a young orphan boy and the harrowing sights he sees.

World War II: An Interactive History Adventure by Elizabeth Raum (1939-1945) explores World War II through 3 story paths taking readers through different points of view of the war, and 24 possible endings.

Stones in Water by Donna Jo Napoli (1940) follows a young boy named Roberto and his best friend as they are rounded up by German soldiers and taken to a brutal work camp.

Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata (1941) explores life in California for a young Japanese-American girl as the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (1942) shares the experiences of two young boys on opposite sides of the fence during World War II and the consequences of their friendship.

World War II Naval Forces: An Interactive History Adventure by Elizabeth Raum (1939-1945) explores 3 different experiences in World War II sailing on the oceans and taking part in historic battles, with 22 possible endings for readers to choose.

Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian (1939-1945) tells the story of a special relationship forged between a scared young boy evacuated to the countryside during World War II and the old man he meets there.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor: An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur (1941) encourages the reader to explore life during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the choices that had to be made by the people experiencing it.

World War II Spies: An Interactive History Adventure by Michael Burgan (1939-1945) puts the reader into the shoes of spies during World War II, and shares some of the difficult decisions that they had to make.

The Island on Bird Street by Uri Orlev (1939-1945) shares the harrowing experiences of a young Jewish boy living alone in a ruined house in Warsaw during World War II.

The Japanese American Internment: An Interactive History Adventure by Rachael Hane (1939-1945) introduces the reader to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II through 3 story paths and 15 possible endings.

World War II Pilots: An Interactive History Adventure by Michael Burgan (1939-1945) takes readers back to World War II through the perspective of pilots flying different missions at the time.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (1943) follows a young girl named Annemarie and her family as they take in her best friend Ellen Rosen and help Jewish families relocate after German troops arrive in Denmark.

Lily’s Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff (1944) shares the story of two young kids who meet during the summer of 1944, and how the war affects their new friendship.

When the Soldiers Were Gone by Vera W. Propp (1945) explores life after World War II for a young boy who learns that the family he has been living with aren’t his family at all.

Journey Home by Yoshiko Uchida (post WW2) follows a young girl named Yuki and her family as they struggle to get their lives back together after being released from a wartime camp.

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord (1947) introduces readers to a young girl named Shirley Temple Wong who moves to America in 1947 and is inspired by her newfound love of baseball.

 

Semi-Modern History (1950-2000)

The Korean War: An Interactive Modern History Adventure by Michael Burgan (1950-1953) explores life during the Korean War for a pilot, a young kid looking to enlist in the US military, and a young man in South Korea.

The Race to the Moon: An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur (1950-1960) puts readers in the middle of the space race with 3 different story paths exploring both sides of the race to the moon.

The Civil Rights Movement: An Interactive History Adventure by Heather Adamson (1955-1968) shares different perspectives of the Civil Rights Movement through historical moments during the time.

The Vietnam War: An Interactive Modern History Adventure by Michael Burgan (1955-1975) encourages the reader to put themselves in the middle of the Vietnam War, asking them to make difficult choices to choose their own ending.

The Red Rose Box by Brenda Woods (1958) follows a ten year old girl named Leah who travels to California with her sister and experiences life away from the Jim Crow laws of the South.

The Berlin Wall: An Interactive Modern History Adventure by Matt Doeden (1961-1989) explores life on both sides of the Berlin Wall, encouraging the reader to make difficult decisions that people at the time had to make.

Countdown by Deborah Wiles (1962) shares the story of a young girl named Franny Chapman, and her life and experiences during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

War in Afghanistan: An Interactive Modern History Adventure by Matt Doeden (1979-1989) puts readers on the ground in Afghanistan, asking them to choose a story path and make choices to get to one of 17 possible endings.

 

Modern History (2000+ )

I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis (2001) explores the devastating events of September 11th through the eyes of a young boy named Lucas visiting his uncle’s firehouse on that fateful morning.

Shooting Kabul by N. H. Senzai (2001) follows a young boy named Fadi whose family fled from Afghanistan, and his attempts to get back there in order to find his missing sister.

I Survived Hurricane Katrina by Lauren Tarshis (2005) introduces readers to the harrowing events of Hurricane Katrina through the eyes of a young boy named Barry and his dog as they attempt to survive.

I Survived the Japanese Tsunami by Lauren Tarshis (2011) shares the terrible tragedy of the Japanese Tsunami from the perspective of a young boy named Ben swept away by the waters.

Got a GREAT Historical Fiction Book I’ve missed?  Tell me about it in the Comments!!