In our house, read alouds are almost always historical in nature. Now, I’m not talking 15 minute children’s books where you read the entire thing in one sitting. I’m talking weeks of reading the same book with every child in the house sitting beside you, on top of you, or on your feet for 30 minutes or more, drinking in every word you read!
Now, THAT’S a read aloud!
Today, I’m bringing you 10 of our favorite history read alouds in chronological order.
1. The Cat of Bubastas
Set in Ancient Egypt around the time Moses was a young prince, this tale chronicles the lives of 2 slaves living in the household of the high priest of Osiris. My kids begged me to read more! We own the paperback version of this book, but you can also get it for free on Kindle or in a very nice hardcover from Vision Forum.
2. Joel, a Boy of Galilee
I picked this book up at a used book sale, not realizing it was one of the Lamplighter series books! What a find! This book tells of a young boy living in Galilee who learns of a man named Jesus who can heal. Wonderful story! We own an old hardcover copy, but this book is hard to find! You can buy a hardcover edition from Lamplighter, buy a paperback copy from Amazon, or get it free for Kindle.
3. Trial and Triumph
I cannot say enough good about this book! First introduced to me by Tapestry of Grace, this book takes you from the earliest times of the church and leads you to the 20th century in short excerpts and biographical sketches of the men and women who lived and died for Christ. This book is a must-have for any study of Church History! We own the paperback version of this book (shown above). I am not aware of any other editions.
4. God’s Outlaw
God’s Outlaw is the story of William Tyndale. Our entire family was deeply moved by the dedication of this one man to get the Gospel to 16th century English speaking people. There is also a movie based on the book that I have heard is good.
5. Calico Captive
Would you laugh if I told you this book made me want to sew by hand? This book is an excellent portrayal of what life was like for settlers and captives during the French and Indian War. Absolutely riveting! I own a paperback copy of this book with a different cover from the one shown above. I imagine most libraries own a copy of this book.
6. Johnny Tremain
My children said this book seemed long, but they really liked it. {It does have a few instances of verbiage my children are not allowed to use. Feel free to skip over it.} Set at the brink of the Revolutionary War, Johnny Tremain chronicles the life and times of a young apprenticed silversmith. Get it in paperback or every single library in the United States.
7. Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence
This is a WallBuilders book consisting of short biographical sketches of every single signer of the Declaration of Independence. You will be surprised!
8. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
Nathaniel Bowditch was an 18th century mathematical genius who’s work on ocean navigation is still used today! And guess what?! He was 4th born of 7 children! My children loved this book. We own the paperback edition shown above.
9. Little House on the Prairie Series
As you can see by the photo at the top of this post, I do not own a neatly boxed set because I’ve just picked them up as I’ve found them at thrift stores and such. But, there is no doubt in my mind that this is one of these best set of books you could read to your child to give them an idea of what life in farming communities of America in the late 1800’s was like. These books are so chock full of history and grit it’s no wonder they are classics! You can also take a peek at how we use these books in our homeschool.
10. The Hiding Place
This book is unparalleled in its story of the life of a Dutch family who hid Jews during the early 1940’s, eventually being discovered by the Nazis and taken to a concentration camp. The faith and courage of Corrie ten Boom and her family will bring you to tears. Not for very young listeners. The book shown above is a paperback version. We own an older hardback version of this book, but I am sure many libraries carry it. The movie is excellent as well, but I wasn’t able to find a source to purchase from.
So, what are your favorite history read alouds?
Rebecca says
OH, you have picked some of our very favorites for history! And..you added a few new ones to our list! Thanks, Amy!
Danielle says
Thank you for all your book recommendations- especially the free Kindle editions. I have downloaded several based on your thoughts. Thanks!
Peggy S. says
We have read several of these, too! One that should be on that list is Little Britches series by Ralph Moody. There are 8 in the series and they start out with Ralph as a 10 year old boy helping his family on a ranch in Colorado. Each book is great fun and Moody has quite a way of telling the stories that keep listeners of all ages engaged. We listen in the car and my husband and mother in law all like to listen, too!
Headant says
My mom really likes The Hiding Place but I agree that it may not be suited for younger readers.
When I was about eight or nine, my grandparents gave me the entire Laura Ingalls Wilder set. I kept the books for several years until they were soaked by rainwater and mold during Hurricane Katrina. Looking back, I wish I had been able to keep them.
Rachel Q says
Thanks for this list. There are so many historical fiction books, and it’s so hard to figure out which ones are worthwhile and which aren’t. I appreciate your sharing your favorites. Looking forward to using the American History titles next year as we begin our Early American History studies.
Elizabeth says
We love some of these as well! Also discovered some new ones I can’t wait to read! Currently, we are reading of a modern day hero of the faith — Tim Tebow! 🙂 We are enjoying reading his autobiography Through My Eyes. I pinned this post for future reference!
Ginny says
Wonderful selection of titles. I love your description of read aloud time. Also Trail and Triumph looks really enticing. Thank you for the recommendation.
Stephanie says
Thank you! I’ve only heard of a few of these, so I’m pinning this post so I can come back to it! Our family is trying to read through the Little House series this summer. My dad read it to my sister and I several times through when we were young, I just loved it. I recently found The Hiding Place at our library book sale – great find, though I still am baffled as to why the library doesn’t want to keep great books like that!
Coby says
Thank you for this list! My boys love read-alouds, and I’m always looking for more good books!
Kathleen K says
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth Speare (story is NOT about sorcery/witch), also The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth Speare, The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr (Not literature, but a fun book we all enjoyed). Snow Treasure (McSwigan) about Norwegian children outwitting the Nazi’s. Walk Around the World’s Rim (sad ending), and these are the ones I come up with off the top of my head. While I’m not crazy about Sonlight as a curriculum, I LOVE their book lists, especially for the younger grades.
Heather says
I have a 4yr old, 2 yr old and 1 year old and we do a short read aloud everyday before naps and before bed, but I would really like to transition them to literature based read aloud instead of our just kids’ picture books for half an hour at story time.
So, do you have a post about read aloud times with littles? Or any advice?
-Heather
PS – I really want to thank you for your blog, I never miss a post and I have learned so much in what to expect and not expect from my kids and homeschooling (even though we’re just in pre-school mode at the moment) thank you!
Jamie (@va_grown) says
We started family read-alouds of “real books” late last year after reading one of Amy’s posts on training children away from twaddle. Our kids are 4, 5, and 7 and we’ve read the original Swiss Family Robinson and the Jungle Book, as well as easier things like the Little House books, Gentle Ben and Where the Red Fern Grows. In the beginning we only did a few pages before they would start fidgeting or asking so many questions we couldn’t get anywhere. Slowly we’ve worked up to a few chapters at a time and I pick stopping points to discuss or fill in details and context for them.
Amy says
I don’t have a list, but that’s a good idea! Let me think on that. I do like The Boxcar Children for those early ages…they always hold their attention. 🙂
Jamie (@va_grown) says
We’re wrapping up Farmer Boy right now! 🙂 I’ve got fiction on our family reading list (meaning read-aloud to the whole family like you mentioned) for most of the summer, but we’ve got King Aurthur coming up in August and I just picked up The Virginian for September.
Cindy says
Oh, my goodness, you’ve chosen some GREAT books to highlight! I would have chosen many of the same. :o)
Colleen G says
Got a real big smile when I saw the opening photo of the Little House books. My husband just started reading Farmer Boy to our 4 boys ages 7 down to 2. The younger ones usually fall asleep before he is done. 🙂
Amy says
My husband has recently taken over the reading of Farmer Boy in the evenings. The children are loving it!
Holly says
I just love the Hiding Place, it is such powerful book. I also like that you put them in chronological order.
Mindy at Grateful for Grace says
Our are almost always historical also.
Here are my 13 favorite. 🙂
http://gratefulforgrace.com/2010/08/twelve-books/
Jennifer says
This is a good list! I’m saving it for future reference. Thanks for including many of the more unusual choices!
Kerry says
Great list – Your list is almost exactly the same as mine. Forgot about God’s Outlaw.
corrie says
How do you do a read a loud with little little ones? Do you let them bring toys or crafts to keep their hands busy while listening? Is there a certain time of day that works better? How do you choose books that cover a wide range of ages? (My 4 kids are ages 5 and under)
Amy says
My littlest ones play with toys in the same room. I’m not sure how much they are catching, but they are there.
bonny says
I grew up loving the Little House series, and received the box set from my hubby for Christmas last year. I also purchased the Prarie Primer (at a great price!) for use this coming fall. I hope to pass on a love for all things Ingalls-Wilder to my kiddos! 🙂
Kristin says
I love the picture of your Little House set because that is exactly what ours looks like!
Jarm says
“Swiss Family Robinson” (strong family ties and principles), and “Where the Red Fern Grows” (bittersweet) are two of our favorites.
Natalie richardson says
1 of our favorite books is nest for celeste by henry cole. It’s got a great story about friendship, love, home making.
Tina says
What would you recommend for a families first read aloud with children between age 4 and 13?
Amy says
The Little House on the Prairie series has captured all my age ranges (except maybe the very youngest). 🙂
Samantha says
Oh if you like The Hiding Place you’ll love Things We Couldn’t Say by Diet Eman. Its about a young Dutch resistance fighter who was a strong Christian. She was taken to a concentration camp not for helping Jews, but for false visas. She has an amazing story!!
Nicole says
Hello I am wondering if you have a recommendation for a history curriculum I can use for kindergarden 1st and 2nd grade.
I have already settled on apologia for science for everybody but I want a history curriculum for everybody too so I dont have to do them seperately.
We are using abeka this year for history and it is dull