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Ancient History Booklist
Our Ancient History Book List includes literature for children and teens based on important people and events in a typical study of ancient times. The cultures of Egypt (Africa), China, Israel, Greece, and Rome have their own headings, although other cultures (such as Babylon) are included under the general date headings. The titles are organized chronologically and include both historical fiction and nonfiction. The complete World History list is divided into several pages, so click on the menu to the left for selections from other time periods or historical eras. Each book is linked to one of our affiliates, primarily so you can see pictures, further description, and more information. If you choose to purchase, please consider doing so through one of these links! Thanks for your support!
ANCIENT HISTORY: Antediluvian AgeThe Creation Story (Dorling Kindersley) by Norman Messenger. Dorling Kindersely.It Couldn't Just Happen : Fascinating Facts About God's World by Lawrence O. Richards. UE+ A Source Book for a study on Creation. Colorful, fascinating. Holds interest. Noah´s Ark by Peter Spier. K-E Peter Spier´s illustrations are in a class all their own. Fun! Old Noah's Elephants: An Israeli Folktale by Warren Ludwig. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1989. K-E A whimsical picture book tells of Noah overcoming an "elephant problem" on the ark! Fun! The True Story of Noah's Ark by Tom Dooley. Master Books. E-UE+ One of the best, most historically accurate portrayals of the story of Noah's Ark. Its realistic illustrations on every page provide impact, even for an adult reader. ANCIENT HISTORY: c. 3500 B.C. – 1000 B.C. — EGYPTSee Cleopatra under c. 400 B.C. – 400 A.D.
The Best Book of Mummies by Philip Steele. Kingfisher. E-UE Full of color, fun illustrations, & lots of information! It very well may be the best book to explain mummies to the younger ages! Recommended. Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile by Tomie DePaola. K-E Delightful picture book! The adventures of two friends, a crocodile & a bird, surrounded by Egyptian artifacts and lots of humor! The Cat of Bubastes : A Tale of Ancient Egypt by G. A. Henty JH-HS Click on Author/Series Reviews to read the general review of stories by G.A. Henty. Croco'nile by Roy Gerrard. Farrar,Straus& Giroux, 1994. K-E Fun picture book illustrates Egyptian culture – from hairstyle to chariots to pyramids & sphinxes. A hieroglyph puzzle woven throughout makes it fun for older children as well. Egyptian Boats (Carolrhoda on My Own Books) by Geoffrey Scott, illus. Nancy L. Carlson. Carolrhoda Books, 1981. K-UE Explore one more aspect of Egyptian culture. The building materials & design were more impressive than meets the eye, as the author substantiates in his last pages. Three-color illustrations. The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirley Climo, illus. Ruth Heller. HarperCollins, 1989. *K-UE A familiar theme with an Egyptian twist. Fiction, but based on an old Egyptian tale and a real Egyptian queen. *Read aloud for K & E. Gift Of The Nile: An Ancient Egyptian Legend retold by Jan M. Mike, illus by Charles Reasoner. Troll Associates, 1993. E-UE Senefru is the main character of this ancient legend about friendship, with colorful artwork on every page. The Golden Goblet (Puffin Newbery Library) by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. UE-HS Joseph by Brian Wildsmith. Oxford Univ. Press & Eerdmans, 1997. *K-UE The authentically Egyptian illustrations add awe and wonder to this Bible story. The sequel is Exodus by the same author/illustrator. *Read aloud for K & E. Mara, Daughter of the Nile, by Eloise McGraw. Puffin Books, 1953, 1981. JH+ Romance and adventure! Mara is a slave girl who becomes intertwined in a struggle for power between Hatshepsut and Thutmose. Egyptian lifestyle and customs woven into the story. A favorite for many girls. Mouldy Mummies (Smelly Old History) by Mary Dobson, illus. Chris Smedley. Oxford Univ. Press. E-UE A humorous Scratch & Sniff book exploring the mummification process from an olfactory point of view! Mummies & Pyramids (Magic Tree House Research Guide, paper) by Will Osborne and Mary Pope Osborne, illus. Sal Murdocca. Random House, 2001. E-UE+ Get all the basic facts about ancient Egypt in a fun format with lots of black & white illustrations and photos. Advanced E. Mummies Made in Egypt by Aliki. E-UE+ Mummies, Pyramids, and Pharaohs: A Book About Ancient Egypt by Gail Gibbons. Little, Brown, and Co., 2004. E Great format for the younger child. Each page tells of a different aspect of Egyptian culture in a short paragraph, accompanied by a full-page, color illustration. Nice. Pepi and the Secret Names  by Jill Paton Walsh, illus. Fiona French. Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books, 1994. E-UE
Imaginative story of the painting of a prince's tomb with colorful, Egyptian-style illustrations. Hieroglyphs give the "secret names" of the animals, which are decoded in the back. Pharaohs and Pyramids (Time Traveler Series) by Tony Allen, Phillipa Wingate. Usborne. UE-JH The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt (Landmark Book) by Elizabeth Payne. Random House, 1964. UE+ Full of information and great for a thorough overview of the topic or for research purposes, but lacks flair. More textbook-y than story. The Prince of Egypt  starring Val Kilmer & Ralph Fiennes. Dreamworks, 1998. DVD/VIDEO. Rated PG. E+
This animated film depicts the biblical story of Moses, with Rameses portrayed as his brother. Kids and adults will both love this movie, with its authentic story line, fabulous animation, and beautiful music. Pyramid by David Macaulay. UE+ The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone: Key to Ancient Egypt by James Cross Giblin, illus. Patricia Tobin. UE-HS Did you know it took more than 100 years to fully decipher the Rosetta Stone? This book is a clear and simple explanation of the historical challenge of hieroglyphs and how the Stone allowed scholars to crack the code. Shadow Hawk (Living History Library) by Andre Norton. Bethlehem Books. JH-HS Songbird Of The Nile: The Diary Of Miriam's Best Friend, Egypt, 1527-1526 B.C. (Promised Land Diaries) by Anne Adams, illus. Dennis Edwards. Baker Books. E-UE Temple Cat by Andrew Clements, illust. Kate Kiesler. Clarion Books, 1996. K-E Picture Book. An Egyptian cat is worshiped as deity, but would rather live free from the "luxuries" and pampering in the temple. One night he slips away... Tirzah by Lucille Travis. Herald Press, 1991. UE+ A novel based on Israel's exodus from Eygpt. Follows an Israelite girl from slavery in Egypt to several experiences in the wilderness. Not especially exciting, but readable. Tut's Mummy: Lost...and Found (Step into Reading, Step 4) by Judy Donnelly, illus. James Watling. *E-UE Conveys the excitement of finding the greatest treasure in modern times, as well as awe at the wealth of ancient Egypt. True-to-life illustrations and real photographs enhance the story. *Easy to read. Recommended. Tutankhamun by Robert Greeen. UE-JH+ Robert Green´s biographies are well-designed & comprehensive, with plenty of color & illustrations. Zekmet, the Stone Carver: A Tale of Ancient Egypt by Mary Stolz, illus. Deborah Nourse Lattimore. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1988. E-UE The story of how the sphinx may have come to be, with illustrations reflecting Egyptian art and hieroglyphs. Recommended. ANCIENT HISTORY: c. 3500 B.C. – 2000 B.C.First Civilizations (Cultural Atlas for Young People)Covers ancient Mesopatamia (Assyria, Babylon, and Persia). Gilgamesh the King by Ludmila Zeman. Complete trilogy includes: The Revenge of Ishtar and The Last Quest of Gilgamesh. *K-UE+ A retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh with beautiful illustrations for all ages! *Read-aloud for younger ages. He Who Saw Everything: The Epic of Gilgamesh retold by Anita Feagles, illus. Xavier Gonzalez. Young Scott Books, 1966. UE-JH Not a picture book, but still easily read. The author takes care to be true to the original as much as possible for this age group. The unique artwork retains the flavor of ancient times. The Laughing Princess of the Desert: The Diary of Sarah's Traveling Companion (Promised Land Diaries) by Anne Adams, illus. Dennis Edwards. Baker Books, 2003. E-UE A Song for Gilgamesh by Elizabeth Jamison Hodges, illus. David Omar White. Atheneum, 1971. *UE-JH This is not the Epic of Gilgamesh, but a fictitious story about how the poem may have come to be written. Well-told story, with ancient Sumerian culture and cuneiform central to the theme. *For advanced 4th graders. The Tower of Babel by Marilyn Hirsh. Holiday House, 1981. K-UE The Bible story is told and embellished, with black and white illustrations that are clever and true to the time period, complete with Babylon's Gate of Ishtar. Nicely done. ANCIENT HISTORY: c. 2000 B.C. – 1000 B.C.Beauty In The Fields: The Diary Of Ruth's Fellow Harvester, Moab And Israel, About 1200 B.C. (Promised Land Diaries) by Anne Adams, illus. Dennis Edwards. Baker Books. E-UEHittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson. Bethlehem Books. JH+ Joseph by Brian Wildsmith. Oxford Univ. Press & Eerdmans, 1997. K-UE The authentically Egyptian illustrations add awe and wonder to this Bible story. The sequel is Exodus by the same author/illustrator. The Peaceful Warrior: The Diary of Deborah's Armor Bearer, Israel, 1200 B. C (Promised Land Diaries) by Anne Adams, illus. Dennis Edwards. Baker Books. E-UE Priceless Jewel at the Well: The Diary of Rebekah's Nursemaid, Canaan, 1986-1985 B. C. (Promised Land Diaries) by Anne Adams, illus. Dennis Edwards. Baker Books. E-UE Warrior Scarlet by Rosemary Sutcliff. JH-HS Story set in Britain during the Bronze Age. ANCIENT HISTORY: c. 1000 B.C. – 4 B.C.Hannibal (First Book) by Robert Green. UE-JH+Robert Green's biographies are well–designed & comprehensive, with plenty of color & illustrations. One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale by Demi. K-E A folktale about an Indian girl who gets food for her hungry village by outsmarting the greedy and selfish raja. History & math fun! ANCIENT HISTORY: c. 1000 B.C. - 4 B.C. -- CHINA
Lots of photos and illustrations accompany the amazing story of the underground army that was buried c. 221 B.C. by one of China's earliest emporers and uncovered in 1974. The Fourth Question: A Chinese Tale by Rosalind C. Wang, illus Ju-Hong Chen. Holiday House, 1991. E-UE Fun story that also teaches kindness and respect for others, while portraying Chinese culture.
Surrounded with Chinese history, starting with the Mongol's persistent attacks, the text explains why the Wall was built (c. 221 B.C.) on to why it was stopped. The Great Wall Of China by Leonard Everettt Fisher. E-UE Short paragraphs and full-page, black-and-white illustrations make this a good read for the younger student. Chinese characters on the side of each page are translated in the back. The Journey of Meng: A Chinese Legend by Doreen Rappaport, illus. Yang Ming-Yi. Dial Books, 1991. *UE An ancient Chinese tale; advanced picture book. *The story line is a little morbid and spooky-her husband dies building the wall, and she jumps into the ocean rather than marry the cruel emperor who was responsible for his death. It does, however, give insight into the forced labor and death accompanying the Wall's construction. Lady of Ch'iao Kuo: Warrior of the South, Southern China, A.D. 531 (The Royal Diaries)  by Laurence Yep. Scholastic, 2001. E-UEThis book is set in 531 AD, but is listed here as a source for Chinese history. Fictionalized diary of a real Chinese princess. ANCIENT HISTORY: c. 1000 B.C. - 4 B.C. -- ISRAEL & JUDEA
Peter Spier's illustrations are in a class all their own. Fun! Festival of Lights : The Story of Hanukkah by Maida Silverman, illus. Carolyn S. Ewing. K-E God King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah by Joanne Williamson The Egyptian Prince Taharka (Kushite dynasty) fled to Judah after an attempt on his life c. 700 BC, where he encounters King Hezekiah. Maccabees: The Story of Hanukkah (Animated Hero Classics). VIDEO. Schlessinger Media, 1995. E-UE The history of Hanukkah is told with a cartoon-style story that kids will love. Persia's Brightest Star: The Diary of Queen Esther's Attendant (Promised Land Diaries) by Anne Adams, illus. Dennis Edwards. Baker Books, 2003. E-UE Queen Esther: The Morning Star by Mordicai Gerstein. Simon & Schuster, 2000. E-UE Although some of the Biblical story has been embellished for added flair, the book is enchanting and colorfully illustrated. ANCIENT HISTORY: c. 1000 B.C. - 4 B.C. -- GREECE
Aesop's Fables by Jerry Pinkney. SeaStar Books, 2000. E-UE+ Sixty well-illustrated fables! Aesops Fables: A Classic Illustrated Edition by Russell Ash and Bernard Higton. Chronicle Books, 1990. UE-JH+ Aesop's fables for the older child with a variety of artwork from many sources. Alexander the Great: The Greatest Ruler of the Ancient World (What's Their Story?) by Andrew Langley. Oxford Univ. Press, 1997. E-UE+ Archimedes and the Door to Science (Living History Library) by Jeanne Bendick & Laura M. Berquist Bethlehem Books, 1997. UE-JH Black Ships Before Troy: The Story of The Iliad by Rosemary Sutcliff, illus. Alan Lee. Delacorte Press, 1993. UE+ Homer's Iliad is enchantingly retold for all ages and well-illustrated. Caution for the younger: The story is based on a woman leaving her husband and child for another man, resulting in the battles, which can be gory. Also, one illustration has a woman without part of her top--altho tastefully drawn, resembling classic sculpture. The sequel is The Wanderings of Odysseus: The Story of The Odyssey  by the same author.
By Jove! Brush Up Your Mythology by Michael Macrone. Random House, 1992. Children of the Fox by Jill Paton Walsh, illus. Robin Eaton. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1978. UE-JH This book is a treasure, simply because there are so few quite like it. It is a chapter book, and each (rather long) chapter is a separate story, set in ancient Greece and featuring a boy or girl and his/her adventures in helping the great general Themistokles. Explanation in the back gives historical background to the tales. Recommended. The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by Kathryn Lasky, illus. Kevin Hawkes. E-UE The story of Eratosthenes, who measured the circumference of the earth. Entertaining, colorful illustrations. The Children's Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Padraic Colum, illus. Willy Pogany. UE-JH Cupid and Psyche by Charlotte Craft, illus. K. Y. Craft. Morrow Junior Books. K-UE An ancient Greek myth picture book. Fabulous illustrations. See King Midas and the Golden Touch below. D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths by Ingri & Edgar Parin D'Aulaire. UE+ The D'Aulaires tell tales completely, historically, and with flair, complementing them with superb illustrations. Caution for the sensitive child: Myths in general include monsters, cutting off heads, polygamy, etc. Fables of Aesop, ed. by Joseph Jacobs. E-UE Out of print, but still available. Recommended by Christian sources. The Great Alexander the Great by Joe Lasker, illus. Viking Press, 1983. E-UE+ Great story. Covers Alexander's entire life and major accomplishments, and is well illustrated. Recommended. The Greenleaf Guide to Famous Men of Greece by Rob & Cyndy Shearer. UE-JH+ Greek Grime (Smelly Old History) by Mary Dobson, illus. Vince Reid. Oxford Univ. Press, 1998. E-UE A humorous Scratch & Sniff book exploring Greek world from an olfactory point of view! Greek Myths for Young Children by Heather Amery, illus. Linda Edwards. Usborne, 1999. E-UE Colorful pages & illustrations about every other page. The stories are easy to read. *Be aware that myths in general include monsters, cutting off heads, polygamy, etc. I Wonder Why the Greeks Built Temples : and Other Questions About Ancient Greece by Fiona Macdonald. King Midas and the Golden Touch by Charlotte Craft, illus. K. Y. Craft. K-UE An ancient Greek myth picture book. Fabulous illustrations. See also Cupid & Psyche above. Olympia: Warrior Athletes of Ancient Greece  by Dyan Blacklock, illus. David Kennett. Walker & Company, 2000. E-UE+
What an awesome book! Tells of the origins of the Greek Olympics, and explains the events, their religious significance, and how it all related to Greek warfare. Very eye-opening, and the illustrations are fabulous. Recommended. Pegasus by Marianna Mayer, illus. Kinuko Y. Craft. Morrow Junior Books, 1998. K-UE Re-telling of Bellerophon and the mythical winged horse. Fabulous illustrations! Persephone and the Pomegranate: A Myth from Greece by Kris Waldherr. Dial Books, 1993. K-UE Greek myth that tells of the origin of the seasons. Picture book with fabulous illustrations. Tales from the Odyssey: The One-Eyed Giant – Book #1 by Mary Pope Osborne, illus. Troy Howell. Hyperion, 2003. E-UE+ In this first of a series of 6 books, the author condenses Homer's original work into easy-to-read, short chapters. Good source for an older child to learn the story quickly. Kids love this series, which are also available in audio format. The other books are: The Land of the Dead – Book #2, Sirens and Sea Monsters – Book #3, The Gray-Eyed Goddess – Book #4, Return to Ithaca – Book #5, The Final Battle – Book #6. Tales of Pan by Mordecai Gerstein. K-E Pan is a Greek mythological god, and he is full of fun! Short stories with color illustrations. Trojan Horse: How the Greeks Won the War (Step into Reading, Step 5) by Emily Little, illus. Michael Eagle. E ANCIENT HISTORY: c. 400 B.C. - 400 A.D. -- ROME
The Adventures of Asterix Series by Rene Goscinny. E-UE+ Every kid loves Asterix! The comic book series is based on the Romans and the Gauls for lighthearted history fun, with a myriad of titles to choose from. Augustus Caesar's World by Genevieve Foster. 1947. UE-JH Told in story format, this chronicles key figures during Caesar's lifetime. Ben-Hur (Oxford World's Classics) by Lew Wallace. HS Beyond the Desert Gate by Mary Ray. Bethlehem Books. JH-HS Blood of the Martyrs: How the Slaves in Rome Found Victory in Christ (Christian Epics) by Naomi Mitchison. JH-HS Brave Cloelia: Retold from the Account in the History of Early Rome by the Roman Historian Titus Livius by Jane Louise Curry, illus. Jeff Crosby. The J. Paul Getty Museum, 2004. E-UE A picture book for an older child. The story originates from the ancient historian Livy's History of Early Rome and is set in the pre-Roman era when the Estrucans were fighting the Romans for power. The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare. Houghton Mifflin. UE-JH Newbery Medal. Driven by intense hatred for the Romans, Daniel wants to overthrow them. Will Jesus' teachings change his mind? The Buried City of Pompeii (I Was There Series) by Shelley Tanaka, illus. Greg Ruhl. Hyperion/Madison Press, 1997. E-UE Travel back to A.D. 79 in this fictional story of one person's experiences on the day of Vesuvius' eruption. Each page is illustrated with photos of ruins of Pompeii alongside drawings of what these places probably looked liked back then. Recommended. City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction by David Macaulay. UE-HS You can't read this book without being amazed! Explains the building techniques behind Roman roads, aqueducts, apartments, etc. Fascinating information. Two-color, intricate illustrations. Cleopatra by Robert Green. UE-JH+ Robert Green's biographies are well-designed & comprehensive, with plenty of color & illustrations. Cleopatra by Stanley & Vennema. E-JH+ Full-page, color illustrations and a wealth of information on each page, written more as a story than a factual biography. Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C. (The Royal Diaries) by Kristiana Gregory. Scholastic. E-UE Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld, illus. Charlotte Kleinert. (Sequel is Mystery of the Roman Ransom) E-JH Have fun with history in these stories of seven boys who solve a mystery in ancient Rome! The Eagle of the Ninth & The Silver Branch (Eagle of the Ninth) & The Lantern Bearers (Eagle of the Ninth) by Rosemary Sutcliff. JH+ The first of these 3 books of adventure is set about AD 120, and the last AD 800, giving the reader a thorough perspective of the crumbling, and final collapse, of the Roman Empire in Britain Forbidden Gates: A Story of Stephen, the First Martyr (God's Tough Guys.) by Denise J. Williamson, illus. Joe Boddy. UE-JH Fountain of Life by Rebecca Martin. UE-JH The story of a young boy's quest to meet Jesus introduces the reader to the Jewish culture of the time. Galen: My Life in Imperial Rome  by Marissa Moss. Harcourt, 2002. UE-JH
A handwritten journal of a fictional slave entertainingly tells of Augustus, his daughter Julia, and his grandson Agrippa Postumus. Good resource for understanding Roman lifestyle (including chariot racing), the role of slavery in Rome, and a taste of the corruption creeping in (the married Julia had many boyfriends and was plotting to kill her husband). Adventure and suspense with a happy ending. The Greenleaf Guide to Famous Men of Rome by Cynthia Shearer. UE-JH+ Hannibal (First Book) by Robert Green. UE-JH+ Robert Green's biographies are well-designed & comprehensive, with plenty of color & illustrations. Herod the Great by Robert Green. UE-JH+ Robert Green's biographies are well-designed & comprehensive, with plenty of color & illustrations. The Ides of April (Roman Empire Sequence.) by Mary Ray. JH-HS Julius Caesar (First Book) by Robert Green. Franklin Watts, 1996. UE-JH+ Well-designed biography reveals Caesar in depth, with plenty of color and illustrations. Pompeii...Buried Alive! (Step into Reading, Step 4) by Edith Kunhardt Davis, illus. Michael Eagle. E A captivating tale enhanced with color illustrations. Great for beginning readers. Quo Vadis: A Story of Faith in the Last Days of the Roman Empire (Focus on the Family Great Stories) by Henryk Sienkiewicz, intro & afterward by Joe Wheeler. Focus on the Family, 2000. HS Story set in the time of Nero. The cover suggests the reader should be age 14 or older. The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas. Mariner Books, 1942. JH-HS Classic story centered on the Roman soldier who won Jesus' robe at the crucifixion. Rome Antics by David Macaulay. Houghton Mifflin, 1997. E-UE Follow a pigeon as it flies through ancient ruins in modern Rome. Black & white drawings. Very little text, although more detailed explanations of particular sites are given briefly in the back. Romulus and Remus (Ready to Read , Level 2) by Anne Rockwell. E The myth of the founding of Rome for the beginning reader. Runaway by Patricia St. John. UE-JH Fictional story set during Christ's ministry. Simon of Cyrene: The Man Who Carried the Cross of Christ (Christian Epics) by Frans Venter. HS StoryKeepers Collection, Volume 1. VIDEO/DVD. Focus on the Family, Zondervan, 1996. K-UE Kids love these cartoon-style adventures set in Rome during Nero's rule when it was dangerous to be a Christian. The main characters are part of the group that gathers to hear about Jesus of Nazareth, giving them the name of "Storykeepers." Other volumes, as well as a Teacher's Resource, are also available. Recommended. Twice Freed by Patricia St. John. Moody Press. UE-JH Fictionalized account of Onesimus and the biblical book of Philemon. Vinegar Boy: A Young Boy's Dramatic Encounter with Christ on the Cross by Alberta Hawse. Moody Press. UE+ You Wouldn't Want to Be a Roman Gladiator!: Gory Things You'd Rather Not Know  by John Malam, illus. David Antram. Franklin Watts, 2003. E-UE
A comical way to learn a lot! Entertaining with fun illustrations, yet still packed with information. |
 
Resources for Teachers   Resources for Homeschoolers Featured Titles: 3500-1000 BC: Egypt 1000-4 BC 1000-4 BC: Greece 4 BC - 100 AD: Rome |
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