10 Ways to Teach History: Introduce Historical Fiction Novels

This post is part of my 10 Ways to Teach Prehistoric and Ancient History series, which is part of 10 Days of Tips for Homeschoolers, hosted by Living Life and Learning.

As one of last week’s ways to make teaching history fun, I suggested reading aloud historic texts. And while that is a great way to get some of those more difficult classics into your kids, most kids aren’t ready to read those types of books independently until they’re teenagers (and some of them even I still struggle with!)

Which makes having your kids read historical fiction books related to the time period you’re reading is a great compromise, especially with so many options available and popular in that genre right now!

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And I’ve also learned that the more I want my kids the read, the better off we are getting them started into some series that they can love and continue reading over time. And there is luckily no shortage of historical fiction series for kids!

Some of my kids’ favorite historical fiction series over the years have included (affiliate links):

For younger kids

American Girls Collection Magic Treehouse

Geronimo Stilton, Journey through Time

Ranger in Time

For older kids

Percy Jackson

Dear America and My Name is America

I Survived

Royal Diaries

I also add chapter book/novel selections to each of my Big Ideas through History Section book lists. As well as a checklist of all novels and chapter books for each Unit, including:

Unit 1: The Beginning of Human Kind Chapter Books and Novels

which covers: Birth of Earth, the Big Bang, What is Evolution, Evolution of Man, and the Cro-Magnon

Unit 2: The Start of Civilization Chapter Books and Novels

which covers: Leaving Africa, The Neolithic Revolution, Inventions and Innovators, and the Sumerians

Unit 3: Building History Chapter Books and Novels

which covers: First Settlements and Cities, Putting Up Walls, European Megaliths, and the Ancient Egyptians

And I am committed to continuing to source high-quality chapter books and novels suggestions for each Section of Big Ideas through History. (Get the Complete Program Outline for free when you signup for newsletter updates and special promotions to see which peoples and civilizations are explored in Big Ideas through History .)

Big Ideas through History has been a huge undertaking, and as such, it’s a work in progress.

But, that means a great deal for you!

Because, for a limited time, you can get the Complete Part 1 (Units 1-10) for the cost of the first 3 Units currently available.

The price of Part 1 will continue to go up as new Units are added, but anyone who buys the complete Part 1 now gets access to all 10 units as they are added (see the current publishing timeline).

The final price of the complete Part 1 will be $60 (a 20% savings off the individual prices) but you can get the first 3 units now, and access to units 4-10 later this year, for only $22, which is a savings of over 70% for Units 1-10.

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