Top 13 Living Book Series for Learning History
Forget those dry history textbooks—we’ve never been fans. At our house we’re all about learning through what we like to call “living books.” Why? Because they’re the real deal. They’re infused with language so rich you can practically taste it. And instead of just throwing names and dates at you, they paint the bigger picture, giving history a third dimension you won’t find in those two-dimensional textbooks. In short, they’re just more interesting.
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Although I typically rely on Biblioplan History as a blueprint for my annual plans, I’m also inclined to deviate from the conventional route at times. I always find myself drawn back to one of these amazing series. They’re like perfect bridges between different periods of history. Plus, since many of them focus on individual lives, they really bring a personal touch to some pretty distant people and places.
Keep an eye out for those titles marked with an asterisk. They might be a bit older and trickier to find, but trust me, they’re worth the hunt. Check out used bookstores or browse online—you’ll thank me later!Oh, and while I’ve only linked to one book from each series, remember that there are usually multiple titles in each collection. So make sure you explore the whole set! Happy reading!
If You Lived in the Time of…Series
Step Into History(easy reader series)
The American Adventure (fiction series)
Young Discovery Library * (history, science, and geography books)
Even though owning every series in these collections isn’t within my financial reach, I have acquired some and regularly borrow others through our interlibrary loan system. By maintaining a running list of exceptional books and authors, I aim to facilitate a dynamic study of living history accessible to people of all ages!
Do you have any living history series favorites? What are your go to titles?