The most interesting history books to read forge connections between readers and the content, showing how events in other times and places relate to the students’ lives here and now. It may be how music has adapted to changing tastes, or how battles of the past shaped the world as we know it, or how some patterns tend to repeat over time. This season’s offerings cover famous documents, disasters, amazing careers, and history through the lens of various groups, specific time periods, or conflicts. Primary sources are incorporated through quotes and images, and infographics offer additional reader support. Many titles also offer online resources for further exploration or classroom use.

Elementary

Brower, Felicia. Technology of the American Civil War. ISBN 9781546136286.
Clinton, Catherine. Battles of the American Civil War. ISBN 9781546136347.
Hinton, KaaVonia. The United States Before the Civil War. ISBN 9781546136316.
McGhee, Jamie. Reconstruction. ISBN 9781546136378.
ea vol: 48p. (A True Book: Exploring the Civil War). Scholastic/Children’s Pr. Apr. 2025. Tr $31.
Gr 3-5–To encourage inquiry, each title begins with two statements, and readers must pay careful attention to the text to determine which is true. Sidebars highlight topics such as the participation of Black and Native American troops and women in combat. Maps, timelines, archival photos, and other images also add to the information. In Battles of the American Civil War, a banner in the page corner lists the date, winner, and casualties for each battle discussed. An “Eyewitness to History” section includes a relevant primary source. A page of “True Statistics” is provided along with a glossary and list of books for further reading. “People to Know” has images and biographical details about figures such as Ely Parker and Rebecca Lee Crumpler. VERDICT A recommended purchase that offers helpful details beyond the usual battles and generals.

Black, Sonia. If You Were a Kid at the Declaration of Independence (1776). illus. by Leo Trinidad. ISBN 9781546136163.
Knufinke, Joana Costa. If You Were a Kid at Ellis Island. illus. by Leo Trinidad. ISBN 9781546136255.
RodrÌguez, Janel. If You Were a Kid at the Signing of the Constitution (1787). illus. by Makenzie McCarthy. ISBN 9781546136194.
Talley,Aaron. If You Were a Kid at the March on Washington. illus. by Josh Gregory. ISBN 9781546136224.
ea vol: 32p. (If You Were a Kid). Scholastic/Children’s Pr. Feb. 2025. Tr $26.
Gr 2-4–Each title in this series sets the scene with a section called “A Different Way of Life,” which explains the time period being portrayed. The young characters are introduced, and then their story plays out within the historic events. They might see adults discussing independence from England during 1776 or they might be part of a family immigrating through Ellis Island. Sidebars on each spread share historical details along with images of events, landmarks, and documents. Readers can see a colonial-era hornbook or photos from the March on Washington. Glossary terms appear in colored font within the text. The books all end with a map and a time-line of key events. VERDICT This series offers a kid’s-eye view with a blend of historical fiction and supporting facts.

Murray, Julie. Building the Titanic. ISBN 9781098287221.
––––. Cruise Ships Today. ISBN 9781098287238.
––––. Finding the Titanic. ISBN 9781098287245.
––––. Making Titanic the Movie. ISBN 9781098287252.
––––. People on the Titanic. ISBN 9781098287269.
––––. The Titanic Sinking & Rescue. ISBN 9781098287276.
ea vol: 24p. (History of the Titanic). ABDO/Dash! Jan. 2025. Tr $32.79.
Gr 1-4–This leveled reader set includes titles on different facets of the Titanic ranging from its construction to the making of the hit movie. A few sentences per spread leave ample room for historic photographs and other illustrations that show details like the first-class amenities or the size of the engines. Vocabulary words appear in bold font and are defined in the glossary. Back matter also includes access to online resources like National Geographic, Kiddle, and the History Channel. Infographics such as a map of the route, a cutaway diagram of the ship’s interior, and a visual size comparison chart are included. A final page of “More Facts” offers a bulleted list of additional details for each book. VERDICT A solid purchase for collections; it offers access to a perennially favorite subject for elementary school students.

Schmidtt, Sarah. Exploring Gutenberg’s Bible. ISBN 9781641903691.
––––. Exploring the 19th Amendment. ISBN 9781641903844.
––––. Exploring the Bill of Rights. ISBN 9781641903721.
––––. Exploring the Declaration of Independence. ISBN 9781641903752.
––––. Exploring the Emancipation Proclamation. ISBN 9781641903783.
––––. Exploring the Magna Carta. ISBN 9781641903813.
––––. Exploring the U.S. Constitution. ISBN 9781641903875.
––––. Exploring Washington’s Farewell Address. ISBN 9781641903905.
ea vol: 32p. (Discover More: Exploring Primary Sources). Rosen/Britannica. Jan. 2025. Tr $29.53.
Gr 2-5–These titles introduce famous documents such as Washington’s Farewell Address and the Emancipation Proclamation, focusing on the reasons for their creation and their place in history. Each book includes fact boxes, illustrations (photos, images from famous paintings, etc.), sidebars, and more. Students are asked to compare and contrast democracy and monarchy or the duties of the three branches of government. There are also reflection questions throughout the text such as “What does it mean to be a rebel?” Unfamiliar vocabulary is explained in a “Word Wise” note at the foot of the page. Back matter includes a glossary and suggested books and websites for further reading. VERDICT A helpful set for exploring historical documents as primary sources.

Upper Elementary to Middle School

Edwards, Sue Bradford. The Formative Period. ISBN 9781098295639.
Hudak, Heather C. The Archaic Period. ISBN 9781098295615.
––––. The Iron Age. ISBN 9781098295646.
Kaiser, Emma. The Bronze Age. ISBN 9781098295622.
––––. The Paleo-Indian Period. ISBN 9781098295653.
LaPierre, Yvette. The Stone Age. ISBN 9781098295660.
ea vol: 48p. (Historical Ages). ABDO/Core Library. Jan. 2025. Tr $37.07.
Gr 4-8–Comparisons of Bronze Age and Iron Age tools, frescoes from Knossos, and cuneiform tablets are just a few examples of images that support the text in these titles. The text discusses what has been learned so far and what is still unknown, giving details of new findings from sites around the world. “Straight to the Source” features writings from historians, archaeologists, and other experts. There are sidebars on topics such as DNA testing, while online resources offer more information about Paleolithic art or Imperial Chinese dynasties. Each book includes a list of important dates, a glossary, “Stop and Think” questions that encourage reflection and written response, and suggested books for further reading. Additional online resources for teachers and students, as well curated links for more investigation, are also available. VERDICT A helpful series for world history courses and individual history buffs.

Hale, E. A. Indigenous History from 1865–1890: The Post–Civil War Era. ISBN 9798889984115.
––––. Indigenous History from 1887–1932: The Allotment and Assimilation Era. ISBN 9798889984122.
––––. Indigenous History from 1933–1951: The New Deal Era. ISBN 9798889984139.
––––. Indigenous History from 1952–1968: The Termination Era. ISBN 9798889984146.
––––. Indigenous History from 1961–1977: The Civil Rights Era. ISBN 9798889984153.
––––. Indigenous History from 1978–Present:The Contemporary Era. ISBN 9798889984160.
ea vol: 32p. (Indigenous History in the United States: 1865 to Today). North Star/Focus. Jan. 2025. Tr $31.35.
Gr 3-7–Carefully written to appeal to and support all readers, these titles cover events from 1865 to the present. Each book focuses on a specific period and is written by an Indigenous author. A feature, “Voices from the Past,” provides details from primary sources such as quotes from the letters of a child forced to attend Carlisle Indian School. Maps, sidebars, historic photos, and a glossary all make the text more accessible and appealing. Focus questions at the end of each book include an answer key. There is also a list of recommended books and resources available online—including lesson plans, links, and downloadable activities. VERDICT Useful in intermediate and middle school classrooms and to expand library collections.

Jeffrey, Gary. Extreme Careers. 112p. ISBN 9781499478211.
––––. Graphic Cryptids!104p. ISBN 9781499478334.
Shone, Rob. Defying Death: True Tales of Survival, Part 2. 112p. ISBN 9781499478181.
––––. Eureka! True Tales of Discovery. 112p. ISBN 9781499478242.
––––. Graphic Disasters: Superstorms!112p. ISBN 9781499478273.
West, David. Under Your Skin: True Tales of Forensic Science, Part 2. 112p. ISBN 9781499478303.
ea vol: (Graphic Short Stories). Rosen. Jan. 2025. Tr $39.80.
Gr 5-8–Graphic novel enthusiasts will find plenty of action, danger, and suspense in these titles. Whether readers prefer cryptid legends, natural disasters, or exciting careers and discoveries, they will have a wide variety of choices. Each title’s stories are grouped by theme but offer tales from different locations and times. For instance, Superstorms describes the effects of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 and the more recent Philippine mudslide of 2006. Eureka ranges from archaeological searches to the amazing survival of the Apollo 13 crew. A glossary and suggested reading for further information are provided. There are no other informational text features; the books rely on the visual presentation of the story. VERDICT A good purchase for libraries whose patrons prefer graphic format; the range of topics is sure to appeal.

Shea, Therese M. Women in the 13 Colonies. ISBN 9781502673039.
––––. Women in the American Revolution. ISBN 9781502673060.
––––. Women in the Fight Against Slavery. ISBN 9781502673091.
––––. Women in the Industrial Revolution. ISBN 9781502673183.
––––. Women in the Wild West. ISBN 9781502673121.
––––. Women of the Suffrage Movement. ISBN 9781502673152.
ea vol: 32p. (The Inside Guide: Women in U.S. History). Cavendish Square. Jan. 2025. Tr $30.21.
Gr 4-8–The roles of women during various periods of American history are described in straightforward prose in this series. Although much of the narrative focuses on figures such as Abigail Adams or Elizabeth Cady Stanton, contributions of Black, Native American, and other groups are also included. Fact boxes offer additional details, while sidebars delve into related issues such as Native American suffrage or Black women’s organizations for better wages. Photographs and illustrations show suffragettes picketing the White House, Sojourner Truth, and the Constitution of the Lowell Factory Girls Association. A time-line, reflection questions, and glossary round out each title. There is also a list of suggested books and websites for further reading. VERDICT A useful purchase to update collections or expand coverage of women’s history.

Upper Middle School to High School

Black, Riley. The Shortest History of the Dinosaurs: The 230-Million-Year Story of Their Reign and Their World. 288p. Jun. 2025. ISBN 9798893030563.
Ford, Andrew. The Shortest History of Music: From Bone Flutes to Synthesizers, Hildegard of Bingen to Beyoncé—5,000 Years of Instrument and Song. 256p. May 2025. ISBN 9798893030525.
Goldin, Ian. The Shortest History of Migration: When, Why, and How Humans Move—From the Prehistoric Peopling of the Planet to Today and Tomorrow’s Migrants. 304p. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9798893030600.
Jones, Colin. The Shortest History of France: From Roman Gaul to Revolution and Cultural Radiance—A Global Story for Our Times. 304p. Mar. 2025. ISBN 9798893030129.
ea vol: (Shortest History). The Experiment. pap. $16.95.
Gr 9 Up–The promise of this series is to condense the growth of France from Roman Gaul to the current day, the history of migration from the movements of prehistoric peoples to modern migrants, or the development of music from early bone flutes to synthesizers into books that could be read in a day. This is dense material due to its subject matter and the way it has been distilled. The migration and France titles both have time lines and all the books have images (diagrams, maps, artwork, photos) to support the text. That text is written by content specialists who draw parallels with current events as well as explaining what has gone before. In Migration, a preface from the author explains his personal connection to the topic. VERDICT A useful reference set, or a possible classroom purchase for Honors courses.

Westwell, Ian. The American Civil War. ISBN 9781499478716.
––––. The Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. ISBN 9781499478686.
––––. Warfare in the 18th Century. ISBN 9781499478655.
––––. Warfare in the 19th Century. ISBN 9781499478747.
––––. Warfare in the Ancient World. ISBN 9781499478563.
––––. Warfare in the Late 20th Century. ISBN 9781499478839.
––––. Warfare in the Medieval World. ISBN 9781499478594.
––––. Warfare in the Renaissance World. ISBN 9781499478624.
––––. World War I. ISBN 9781499478778.
––––. World War II. ISBN 9781499478808.
ea vol: 80p. (Warfare Through the Centuries). Rosen. Jan. 2025. Tr $37.47.
Gr 7 Up–An introduction gives an overview of the time period for each title, pointing out major areas of conflict, leaders of note, and major innovations. Chapters within each book focus on specific geographic areas or campaigns, or critical changes in warfare such as the rise of professional armies or advances in naval tactics. The text is supported by numerous maps (many showing movements during battles), full-color photos and illustrations, and glossary terms in bold print. Sidebars offer brief biographies of key individuals such as Florence Nightingale or Hannibal, strategies such as Gen. Winfield Scott’s Anaconda Plan, or the advent of early gunpowder weapons. An index makes locating specific details convenient. Further reading lists include books and websites. VERDICT A useful purchase to support research and classroom instruction.

Publishers continue the recent trend to integrate primary sources to give readers a closer look at historical events, as well as offering a broader range of perspectives. The “Indigenous History” (North Star) titles are written by an Indigenous author and cover the consequences of many of the government policies regarding Native Americans since the Civil War. Having taken the step of having the content overseen by BIPOC content consultant, “Exploring the Civil War” (Scholastic) includes the efforts of Black, Native American, and women soldiers rather than just the most famous generals.

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