Sure, our kids learn about history in school — but reading books about it for fun helps them develop a true passion for the stories and lessons of our past. Understanding history is essential for children to develop a broader view of the world and their place in it, becoming the best global citizens they can be.
These six titles are designed to introduce a range of historical figures, events, and topics in kid-friendly and engaging ways, teaching about both the national and global stories children need to know about.
D-Day: The World War II Invasion that Changed History
This nonfiction read covers the largest military endeavor in history! Your child can learn the true facts about this momentous invasion, from the years taken to plan it to the tributes paid to fallen soldiers. It's particularly absorbing because it includes actual notes, letters, and photos to show how this invasion led to the total defeat of Hitler's regime and the protection of free democracies around the world.
Refugee
Your child will meet a brave boy trying to escape the Holocaust, a determined girl attempting to make her way to America from Cuba, and an inspiring boy embarking on a journey to leave a war-torn Syria in this core-shaking book about kids seeking refuge throughout history. Packed with persistance and sheer bravery, this title highlights not one, but three significant events in our past and reminds young readers of the incredible actions some children their age have had to take to survive.
She Dared: Malala Yousafzai
A young woman who stopped at nothing to give young girls in Pakistan the right to an education, Malala Yousafzai has became a beacon of inspiration around the world. Even after she was attacked on a bus by a group of extremists, Malala persisted and became an advocate for girls' rights and education, and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize winner. In this book about her life, your child will learn about the power of advocating for yourself and your peers, and how determination through even the most difficult circumstances leads to remarkable things.
10 True Tales: Vietnam War Heroes
In this book, your child will get an inside look at the Vietnam War and the experiences some soldiers faced through ten gripping tales. The format of the title makes it the perfect tool for easy reading, helping even the most reluctant readers engage with one thrilling story at a time without feeling overwhelmed.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963
When the Watsons from Michigan decide to take a trip to visit their grandmother in Alabama, the family is unsure of what to expect once they arrive in the Southern town. Set in the Civil Rights era, this book keeps kids turning the pages as they follow the Watsons' journey, all while learning about significant and dark moments in our country's past.
I Survived #18: I Survived the Battle of D-Day, 1944
This book in the wildly popular I Survived series highlights the story of D-Day from a new perspective. Despite the title, it aptly describes the chaos and destruction that occurred during the second World War, while honoring fallen soldiers that made the invasion on Normandy possible. With easy-to-digest language and plot points, this book will be difficult for your little one to put down.