Historical Fiction

Last updated: July 1, 2026

Nothing gets kids excited about history like a gripping story. Times, people, and places that might seem dull or far away in a textbook come to living, breathing life in historical novels like the ones on this list. From the Middle Ages to the American Revolution, the World Wars to the Cold War, the 9/11 attacks to the start of the civil war in Syria, these diverse selections offer action, intrigue, and unforgettable characters. For more great reads, check out Books About the U.S. Civil War and World War II Books for Kids.

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The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True Poster Image
BOOK

The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True

age 6+

Perfect "knightly" read-aloud for younger children.

I Survived Series Poster Image
BOOK

I Survived Series

age 7+

Riveting, emotional historical fiction for young readers.

Skunked!: Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Skunked!: Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet, Book 1

age 7+

Laughs, science in new Callie series for younger readers.

A Horse Named Sky book cover: Brown spotted horse with white mane running across mountain meadow
BOOK

A Horse Named Sky

age 8+

Thrilling, info-rich tale of young mustang in Silver Rush.

A Sea of Lemon Trees book cover: Brown-skinned, brown-eyed boy's face peering from behind branches laden with lemons
BOOK

A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez

age 8+

Relatable, heartening historical tale of 1930s court case.

Barefoot Dreams cover
BOOK

Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna, Book 1

age 8+

Uplifting tale of survival during Mexican Revolution.

Escape from Aleppo Poster Image
BOOK

Escape from Aleppo

age 8+

Gripping, moving tale of Syrian teen fleeing war-torn city.

Full of Beans Poster Image
BOOK

Full of Beans

age 8+

Plucky boy finds conscience, hope amid Great Depression.

A brown-haired white girl in a white dress with large shoulder bag stands in front of the "Titanic," which looms over her.
BOOK

Iceberg

age 8+

Tension, suspense build as intrepid tween faces disaster.

Little House Series Poster Image
BOOK

Little House Series

age 8+

Engrossing frontier tales but they include racist attitudes.

Magnitude book cover: An illustration of burning collapsing buildings, with a boy and a girl running toward a girl standing in the foreground
BOOK

Magnitude

age 8+

Tweens survive an earthquake in super historical thriller.

May B. Poster Image
BOOK

May B.

age 8+

Riveting and moving account of girl's struggle for survival.

Sail Me Away Home book cover: Girl’s face tinted green on background of blue, signs her nickname by touching her cheek
BOOK

Sail Me Away Home: Show Me a Sign, Book 3

age 8+

Deaf heroine's problematic Paris trip ends smart trilogy.

Set Me Free book cover: Deaf teacher and Deaf student face each other on red background; each make the sign meaning "girl"
BOOK

Set Me Free: Show Me a Sign, Book 2

age 8+

Deaf heroine saves student in gripping historical novel.

Show Me a Sign book cover: Face of young girl and hands signing the word "interpret" which also means "understand"
BOOK

Show Me a Sign, Book 1

age 8+

Historic island community comes to life with deaf heroine.

singing with elephants book cover image
BOOK

Singing with Elephants

age 8+

Tween finds belonging in lyrical novel in verse.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret Poster Image
BOOK

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

age 8+

Spectacular cinematic book has lots of heart.

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry book cover: Brown-skinned girl in dress, on lighthouse balcony with brown-haired boy
BOOK

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry

age 8+

Orphaned girl finds treasure with Ojibwe lighthouse family.

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli book cover: Illustrations of a boy with two camels and a dog and a girl and her dog walking in a city street
BOOK

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli

age 8+

Mystery connects tweens across centuries in stunning novel.

The Secret of Nightingale Wood Poster Image
BOOK

The Secret of Nightingale Wood

age 8+

Suspenseful WWI family drama has feel of a classic.

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