Stories Based on Facts: 10+ Historical Fiction Titles for Ages 3-7

Summer is here! And that means loads of time for kids to experience books in all their glory. This is also a great time to encourage kids to read the books they choose (without having to worry about school assignments) and to try out new genres that they might be interested in learning more about. This series will offer titles for toddlers to teens and include a variety of formats. Each week will focus on a different genre and will follow the same format:

• Mondays – Titles for Ages 3-7
• Tuesdays – Middle Grade Titles for Ages 8-12
• Wednesdays – Young Adult Titles for Ages 13+
• Thursdays – Nonfiction pairings
• Friday – Recap of the Week

Picture Books
All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel by Dan Yaccarino
A story of ancestry, family, immigration and more.

The Elephant Quilt: Stitch by Stitch to California! by Susan Lowell
Lily Rose is traveling to California on a wagon and along the way she stitches a quilt so as not to forget her incredible journey.

Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles
A story of segregation and what happens when laws change things for the better, but people’s hearts haven’t yet changed.

Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say
A story of the immigrant experience as a man travels from one country to another – loving both and missing loved ones.

Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride by Marjorie Priceman
A hot air balloon lifted off the ground in 1783 with a duck, a sheep, and a rooster inside!

Real Cowboys by Kate Hoefler
Learn about what real cowboys did in the Wild West.

Unspoken: A Story From the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole
A wordless picture book about the Underground Railroad.

Easy Readers
The Golly Sisters Go West by Betsy Byars
“The Golly Sisters are heading west. They’ve got new dresses and the best show on either side of the Mississippi. But can they keep their act together long enough to get this show on the road?” (Taken from Amazon)

The Josefina Story Quilt by Eleanor Coerr
“Faith’s Pa says there’s no room on a wagon train for Josefina, a chicken who’s too tough to eat and too old to lay eggs. But Faith loves her pet. Can Josefina show Pa that she still has a few surprises left in her?” (Taken from Amazon)

*Step Into Reading has a number of nonfiction titles and biographies for beginning readers

Chapter Books
American Girl series
Each set of six books in this series takes a look at a different time period in American history. These are accessible stories featuring young girls and offer a great introduction to history.

I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis
Each book in this series focuses on one big even during history – these are high on adventure and quick reads for kids in upper elementary school.

Ranger In Time series by Kate Messner
A golden retriever who is able to travel back in time and always manages to save the day!

Time Warp Trio series by Jon Scieszka
Three best friends travel through time going on wacky adventures together.