Although there may be excellent textbooks for teaching history, I prefer using literature whenever possible.  My children are fascinated with stories set in various historical eras.  Historical fiction paints a picture of the culture and customs of the times.  Children step back in time and experience the challenges and conflicts in a much more personal and memorable way.  Kids will beg to hear the next chapter of a "living book".   If your child is not tugging on your shirt tails to read the next chapter of your history textbook, read on.

     Maybe you're not sure what books could be classified as living books for studying history.   Maybe you need a starting point to locate living books with well-developed, moral characters.   Or maybe you're already reading historical fiction in your homeschool and need some new titles.  I've taken our favorite historical fiction titles and created a fun quiz. 

Take my Quiz on QuizYourFriends.com!

How did you do?  Leave me YOUR favorite living book titles!

updated 4/4/06

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Posted by dinomomm

I did pretty poorly on this quiz, but then again, we read a lot of biographies. Our faviorite biography from this past year was Queen of Scots by Elisabeth Kyle. Both my daughter and I thought this was an interesting, well-written book. Thanks for the post.

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Posted by Anonymous

We have just recently read:
Luther the Leader by Virgil E. Robinson
Bendan the Navigator: A History Mystery about the Discovery of America by Jean Fritz

We will be starting Columbus by Ingri & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire this afternoon :-) !

I have to admit, we ( I ) am addicted to books!

Blessings from Maine,

-Tammy

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Posted by kindredspiritMom

I am so very glad that you left a comment on my blog! Finding your blog this morning was like a present from God. This is only our second year on the homeschool journey, and your philosophy statement embodies everything I hope to accomplish. Thank you! Just out of curiosity, do you use a "spine" text at all for the Medieval period?

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Posted by writmm

We read lots of biographies, we just listened to the 1st part of the History of the World (which my 9 year old loved and got a lot out of). We also read stories about historical events.

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Posted by REInvestor

Hi Maureen,
It is Jennifer in PA from Literature Alive. I found your blog through the quiz you posted. ANd I even got 90% which was nice. We do read alot here. Our most recent favorite we are reading is The Annie Henry series by SUsan Olasky, historical fiction about .Patrick Henry's daughter.
Stop by my blog sometime.

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Posted by moffittzoo

Okay, I didn't do that well. There were several titles I hadn't read yet. I enjoy most historical fiction books, especially American history but I think my favorite would be Johnny Tremain.

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Posted by Anonymous

I confess. I had help. Nancy and I at work did the quiz. You probably already guessed that. Great fun though!

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Posted by Jammie

THanks for your note of encouragement on my blog on Saturday :) You're right, Spring is just around the corner.
~Jen

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Posted by Anonymous

Well, that was embarrassing. LOL
Evidently I don't read as much historical selection as I should.
But at least I'm honest. ; )
Cay in La.

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