Suggested
Grade Levels

K = Kindergarten
(Picture Books)

E = Elementary:
Grades 1-3
(detailed Picture Books
& easy reading)

E-UE = (books for
younger, fluent readers)

UE = Upper Elementary:
Grades 4-6

JH = Junior High:
Grades 6-8

HS = High School:
Grades 9-12

+ = "and up"

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MIDDLE AGES BOOKLIST — General Medieval Topics

Our Medieval History Book List includes literature for children and teens based on important people and events in a typical study of the Middle Ages. The titles are organized by general topics and then 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!

Overview
Castles
Cathedrals
Knights
Medieval Life
Roman Empire in Britain

Suggested Grade Levels
K = Kindergarten(Picture Books) E = Elementary: Grades 1-3 (Detailed Picture Books & Easy Reading) E-UE = (Books for Younger, Fluent Readers)	UE = Upper Elementary: Grades 4-6 JH = Junior High: Grades 6-8 HS = High School: Grades 9-12 + = "and up"

MIDDLE AGES: Overview

The Greenleaf Guide to Famous Men of the Middle Ages by Robert and Cynthia Shearer.

Living in Castle Times by R Gee, illus. by R McCaig and I. Ashman. Usborne. E

A Street Through Time by Dr. Anne Millard, illus. Steve Noon. Dorling Kindersley, 1998. K-UE+
Well done! A fictional street in Europe changes on every two-page spread, beginning with the Dark Ages and ending in today's era. Recommended.

Then and Now: The Wonders of the Ancient World Brought to Life in Vivid See-Through Reproductions by Stefania Perring & Dominic Perring. Macmillan, 1991. UE-HS
See how famous places, now in ruins, may have once looked with the help of brightly painted clear overlays. Accompanying text details the significance and history of each. Includes ancient & medieval sites.

MIDDLE AGES: Castles

Castle : Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections by Richard Platt, illus. Stephen Biesty. Dorling Kindersley, 1994. UE+
This is no ordinary book on castles! Each page includes a detailed cross section of the castles, illustrating a particular aspect of life within. Topics include construction, warfare, trades, lords, food, & entertainment.

Eyewitness: Castle (Eyewitness Books)

Castle by David Macaulay. Houghton Mifflin. UE+
Caldecott Medal. Describes how a castle typical of the late 1200's was constructed, including its design, features, and purposes. Lots of illustrations. A Video,David Macaulay's World of Ancient Engineering: Castle, based on this book is also available.

Castles (A First Discovery Book) by G. Jeunesse, C. Delafosse, C. & D. Millet. Scholastic, 1990. K-E
Illustrates castles, life inside them, and knights with brightly colored, transparent pages to complement every two-page spread. Simple, yet inspiring!

Knights And Castles (Magic Tree House Research Guide) by Will Osborne & Mary Pope Osbourne. E-UE +
The Osbourne's research guides provide all the facts in a fun way, with lots of black-and-white illustrations.

A Medieval Castle (Inside Story) by Fiona Macdonald, illus. Mark Bergin. UE+

Ms. Frizzle's Adventures: Medieval Castle by Joanna Cole, illus. Bruce Degen. Scholastic, 2003. E-UE
The same Ms. Frizzle that has entertained kids with the science series "Magic Schoolbus" takes on history! This is a fun introduction to castles and related medieval life.

The Truth About Castles by Gillian Clements.

What Were Castles For? (Usborne Starting Point History) by Phil Roxbee Cox. Usborne, 1994. K-UE
Entertaining & Colorful!

MIDDLE AGES: Cathedrals

Cathedral Story of Its Construction by David Macaulay. Houghton Mifflin, 1977. UE+
Caldecott Medal. Describes the construction of a cathedral typical of the late 1200's. Lots of illustrations. A Video based on this book is also available: David Macaulay's World of Ancient Engineering: Cathedral. After 25 years, the author published Building the Book Cathedral, which further embellishes his original book.

A Medieval Cathedral by Fiona Macdonald, illus. John James. Peter Bedrick Books, 1991. UE+
The crafting & artistry of the cathedral grabs our attention as the pages reveal the immense effort poured into the construction. Also covers the building's uses & the common religious practices of the time.

MIDDLE AGES: Knights

DK Readers: Days of the Knights -- A Tale of Castles and Battles (Level 4: Proficient Readers) by Christopher Maynard. DK Children, 1998. E-UE

Knights (All Aboard Reading) by Catherine Daly-Weir, ills. Jeff Crosby. K-E
Great choice for the beginning reader!

Knights And Castles (Magic Tree House Research Guide) by Will Osborne & Mary Pope Osbourne. E-UE +
The Osbourne's research guides provide all the facts in a fun way, with lots of black-and-white illustrations.

The Making of a Knight: How Sir James Earned His Armor by Patrick O'Brien. Charlesbridge Pub., 1998. E-UE
Follows Sir James from age 7 to adulthood, revealing the Medieval/knighthood way of life, from manners to jousts and battles. Richly illustrated.

Men of Iron by Howard Pyle. Harper & Row, 1891, 1919. UE+
An adventure story of a boy's journey from squire to knight, describing the events and ceremony like no other. We meet King Henry IV, and also experience a joust and a life-or-death combat with weaponry, armor, high stakes, and the code of chivalry. Its Middle English gives it authenticity. Illustrated.

Sir Dana: A Knight As Told by His Trusty Armor by Dana Fradon.

A Tournament of Knights by Lasker.

The World of the Medieval Knight by Christopher Gravett.

MIDDLE AGES: Medieval Life

Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess by Richard Platt, illus. Chris Riddell. Candlewick Press, 1999. E-UE+
Life of the nobility in the 13th century, and all those who attended them, is cleverly "transcribed" and "illuminated." Entertaining. Includes the hunt, medical practices, and the dungeon. Recommended.

Favorite Medieval Tales Mary Pope Osborne, illus. Troy Howell. Scholastic Press, 1998. UE+
A collection of the tales passed down through the years by Medieval minstrels & bards. Includes Beowulf, The Sword in the Stone, and The Song of Roland (Charlemagne). Includes historical notes in the back by both the author and illustrator.

Harald and the Giant Knight by Donald Carrick. Clarion Books, 1982. K-UE
Short, enchanting tale reflecting the life of peasants vs. that of knights & nobility. Pictures have authenticity & detail. Recommended for the younger child. (See Harald and the Great Stag below.)

Harald and the Great Stag by Donald Carrick. Clarion Books, 1988. K-UE
Great for the younger child. The story illustrates the peasants' lack of rights to own land or to hunt in the Baron's forests. Recommended. (See Harald and the Giant Knight above.)

Harold the Herald: A Book About Heraldry by Dana Fradon. E-UE+
(see The King's Fool below by the same author)

The King's Fool: A Book About Medieval and Renaissance Fools by Dana Fradon. E-UE+
The cartoon drawings enhance the jokes, riddles, and colorful history of the medieval jester. Well researched. Historically valuable and just plain fun.

Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman. Clarion Books, 2000. UE+
After being raised by a priest at a medieval manor, Matilda adjusts to her new life as an assistant to a bonesetter. The superstitions and unusual medical practices of the times are woven into the story, and further explained in the Author's Note at the end.

A Medieval Feast by Aliki. K-UE+
Observe the activity surrounding the medieval feast, including preparations, customs, and typical dishes. Colorful artwork with simple main captions for the younger child, and details given in the illustrations for the older ones. Valuable guide if you are planning a medieval feast of your own!

Medieval Muck (Smelly Old History) by Mary Dobson, illus. Vince Reid. Oxford Univ. Press, 1998. E-UE
A humorous Scratch & Sniff book exploring the Middle Ages from an olfactory point of view!

MIDDLE AGES: Roman Empire in Britain

Between the Forest and the Hills by Ann Lawrence. JH+

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

Outcast by Rosemary Sutcliff. JH+