10+ Best History Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for engaging history books for 10-year-olds that will transport them back in time? Look no further! Whether your young reader is a budding historian or just curious about the past, we've rounded up a fantastic selection of reads that are perfect for their age. Dive into our lists of history books for 10-year-olds and discover stories that will captivate, educate, and inspire. Keep reading to find the perfect historical adventure for your child!

Fun History Books for 10-Year-Olds

• You Wouldn't Want to Be an American Colonist! by Jacqueline Morley, illustrated by David Antram
  • Genre(s): History, Children's Nonfiction
  • Synopsis: This book offers a fun and engaging look into the challenges faced by American colonists. Through humorous illustrations and interactive text, it explores the hardships and adventures of colonial life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great way to make history come alive for young readers, using humor and vivid illustrations to highlight historical facts.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love interactive learning and are curious about the past.

• Horrible Histories: The Awesome Egyptians by Terry Deary, illustrated by Martin Brown
  • Genre(s): History, Humor
  • Synopsis: This book uncovers the secrets of ancient Egypt, from pharaohs and pyramids to mummies and myths, in a highly entertaining way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines facts with fun, offering jokes and comic strips that keep readers engaged while they learn.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy a good laugh while discovering new things about ancient civilizations.

• Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: American Revolution by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce, illustrated by Sal Murdocca
  • Genre(s): History, Adventure, Nonfiction
  • Synopsis: This companion to the popular Magic Tree House series provides detailed information about the American Revolution, complementing the fictional adventures with real historical facts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps kids connect historical facts with the stories they love, enhancing both their reading enjoyment and their understanding of history.
  • Perfect for: Young fans of the Magic Tree House series who are eager to dive deeper into the historical backgrounds of the stories.

• Who Was Leonardo da Vinci? by Roberta Edwards, illustrated by True Kelley
  • Genre(s): Biography, History
  • Synopsis: This biography introduces young readers to Leonardo da Vinci, exploring his life as an artist, inventor, and scientist.
  • Why we recommend this book: It presents a fascinating look at a Renaissance genius, encouraging curiosity about history and the arts.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring artists and scientists, and any kid who's intrigued by the idea of a "Renaissance man."

• The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child by Susan Wise Bauer
  • Genre(s): History, Educational
  • Synopsis: This narrative history series brings to life the stories of people and events from ancient times to the modern age, making the global past vivid and relevant.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a comprehensive overview of world history in a storytelling format that is accessible and captivating for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are homeschooled or any young reader with a deep interest in the broad sweeps of history across different eras and continents.

Educational History Books for 10-Year-Olds

• A Child's Introduction to African American History by Jabari Asim, illustrated by Lynn Gaines
  • Genre(s): History, Cultural History
  • Synopsis: This book explores the rich history, culture, and contributions of African Americans from the past to the present day.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, historical knowledge, empathy
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a comprehensive and engaging introduction to a crucial part of American history, presented in a way that's accessible to young readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in learning more about diverse histories and cultural contributions.

• The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia by Editors of Kingfisher
  • Genre(s): Reference, World History
  • Synopsis: This encyclopedia covers key moments in world history through informative entries, detailed maps, and vivid illustrations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Research skills, historical knowledge, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a detailed and visually appealing overview of world history, making it a perfect resource for school projects and general knowledge.
  • Perfect for: Students who need a reliable reference book for school or anyone with a keen interest in history.

• National Geographic Kids Everything Battles by John Perritano
  • Genre(s): History, Military History
  • Synopsis: This book captures the excitement and drama of historical battles using vivid photographs and engaging text.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of military history, strategic thinking, reading comprehension
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines education with excitement, offering a captivating look at some of the most important battles in history.
  • Perfect for: Young readers fascinated by military strategy and historical conflicts.

• The Usborne Book of Famous Women by Richard Dungworth, illustrated by Philippa Wingate
  • Genre(s): Biography, History
  • Synopsis: This book highlights the lives and achievements of women who have made significant contributions to history, from ancient to modern times.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Biographical knowledge, inspiration, gender studies
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides inspiring stories of women's achievements, encouraging readers to learn about diverse historical figures.
  • Perfect for: Young girls and boys looking to be inspired by influential women throughout history.

• Time Traveler by Judy Hindley, illustrated by Toni Goffe
  • Genre(s): History, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This interactive book takes children on a journey through different historical periods, from ancient Egypt to Viking times.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical imagination, understanding of different cultures and eras, reading for information
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an imaginative and interactive way to explore history, making each era come alive through vivid storytelling and illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love adventure and are curious about how people lived in different times.

Challenging History Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Guts & Glory: The Vikings by Ben Thompson
  • Genre(s): History, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book dives into the world of the Vikings, exploring their culture, conquests, and legacy through thrilling narratives and historical details.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents complex historical and cultural concepts, including the socio-political dynamics of the Viking age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a gripping and detailed look into Viking history, making it more than just a series of dates and names.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in exploring the adventurous and often brutal aspects of history.

• The World Made New: Why the Age of Exploration Happened & How It Changed the World by Marc Aronson and John W. Glenn
  • Genre(s): History, Exploration
  • Synopsis: This book details the Age of Exploration, focusing on the explorers' discoveries and their impacts on various cultures around the world.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles the complex interactions between different cultures and the consequences of exploration.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a comprehensive understanding of how exploration shaped the modern world, encouraging critical thinking about history and its effects.
  • Perfect for: Students who are curious about how past decisions influence present circumstances.

• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
  • Genre(s): Biography, Science, Technology
  • Synopsis: This true story follows William Kamkwamba, a boy from Malawi who builds a windmill from scraps to save his village from drought.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses complex themes like poverty, innovation, and resilience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an inspiring tale of ingenuity and determination that highlights the impact of science and technology in real-world situations.
  • Perfect for: Young innovators and anyone interested in stories of extraordinary achievements against the odds.

• The Mysteries of Beethoven's Hair by Russell Martin and Lydia Nibley
  • Genre(s): Biography, History, Music
  • Synopsis: This book traces the journey of a lock of Beethoven's hair, providing historical insights into his life and the subsequent scientific analysis that reveals more about his health and lifestyle.
  • Why this book is challenging: It combines historical biography with scientific exploration, presenting multiple layers of information.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages a multidisciplinary approach to learning, combining music, history, and science in an engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Music lovers and young scientists alike, or anyone intrigued by how different fields intersect through history.

• Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale
  • Genre(s): Graphic Novel, History
  • Synopsis: This graphic novel offers a unique look at the life of Nathan Hale, the American Revolutionary War hero, presented in a humorous and informative style.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses the graphic novel format to tackle historical events, requiring readers to interpret both visual and textual narratives.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes history accessible and entertaining, blending facts with fun illustrations and storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy visual learning and those who might find traditional history books less engaging.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the fascinating world of history books, it's great to develop some strong reading habits early on. Here are a few exercises that can help any 10-year-old become a history buff in no time. These activities are not only fun but also super beneficial for understanding and retaining all those cool historical facts!

• Create a Timeline
  • What it is: Draw a timeline and add major events or chapters from the history book.
  • How it helps: Visualizing the events helps in understanding the chronological order and historical context.
  • Tips: Use different colors for different types of events or periods to make the timeline more engaging and easier to memorize.

• Character Profiles
  • What it is: Write short profiles for the main historical figures featured in the book.
  • How it helps: Helps in remembering who's who and what their significance is in history.
  • Tips: Include fun facts or draw a small portrait to make each profile more memorable.

• Discussion Group
  • What it is: Form a small group to discuss each chapter after reading.
  • How it helps: Discussing with peers can enhance understanding and retention of historical events.
  • Tips: Prepare a couple of questions each to ask the group, making the discussions more interactive.

• Map It Out
  • What it is: Use maps to locate where historical events took place.
  • How it helps: Connects the story to real-world geography, enhancing spatial thinking.
  • Tips: Try drawing the maps by hand to further reinforce the memory of locations.

• Fact vs. Fiction
  • What it is: Identify which parts of the history book are factual and which are added for narrative enhancement.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and distinguishes historical facts from storytelling.
  • Tips: Use sticky notes to mark pages with factual information for easy reference.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only make your journey through history books more enjoyable but also more educational. Remember, the key is to keep it fun and engaging, so feel free to get creative with these activities. Happy reading!