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Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Good historical based novels for 11/12 year olds

44 replies

fredfortoday · 20/06/2016 13:22

Having just raced through the Roman Mysteries (super) and now on the PK Pinkerton Mysteries (as super) we are fast running out of material. Please can anyone suggest can some history related novels - she has read several by Berlie Doherty and loved these also. Not so keen on the less imaginative "my story" set of books. Thanks very much.

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chicaguapa · 20/06/2016 13:53

The Timeriders series by Alex Scarrow is about time travel. DS is always asking me about historical events that happen in the books.

claraschu · 20/06/2016 13:56

All of my children loved The Silver Sword.

Witchend · 20/06/2016 14:28

Geoffrey Trease-Cue for Treason is his best known one.

SecretlyChartreuse · 20/06/2016 14:30

The Lottie Project is short but a good read at that age.

fredfortoday · 21/06/2016 12:50

lottie project too young for her - she is a more advanced reader then this

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mrsmortis · 21/06/2016 15:00

Is Rosemary Sutcliffe to much? The Eagle of the Ninth is good.

For something a bit more modern I loved 'The Dolphin Crossing' as a teen. It's about the little boats going to Dunkirk.

BlueChampagne · 22/06/2016 16:45

Jean Plaidy?

LadyEnglefield · 22/06/2016 22:59

DD has just read Eliza Rose by Lucy Worlsley. About a young girl in the court of Henry 8th - really enjoyed it.

fredfortoday · 23/06/2016 13:09

have ordered the eagle of the ninth - looks v good to me - I might like it too!

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Owlkiss · 23/06/2016 13:34

Cynthia Harnet for fiction set in the Middle Ages. I particularly loved one called Ring The Bow Bells when I was that age (11/12 - not middle aged! Grin)

fredfortoday · 23/06/2016 13:46

just looked up Jean Plaidy - the first book started off with a romantic "encounter" - think DD a little young for it unless someone can tell me this was an exception.:)

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fredfortoday · 23/06/2016 13:46

Thanks Owlkiss.

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Mrskeats · 23/06/2016 13:47

Wolves of willoughy chase
Little women
The secret garden
Black beauty

Scarydinosaurs · 23/06/2016 13:50

Ivy - I can't remember who wrote it, but it is all about the pre raphaelites. There is a little about Laudanum addiction, but it is so good.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 23/06/2016 13:55

For recent ones, she should try Mary Hooper, Marie Louise Jensen, Eve Edwards, (who also writes as) Julia Golding, Theresa Breslin. All very intelligent writers and top storytellers.
She might also enjoy Carolyn Meyer, Jane Hardstaff (though she has an element of magic which she might not approve of), 'All Fall Down' by Sally Nicholls, 'The Broken Road' by B.R.Collins.
There is some truly excellent stuff being written these days.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 23/06/2016 13:56

Scarydinosaurs - Julie Hearn. OP's dd might also enjoy her 17th century witchy one, The Merrybegot.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 23/06/2016 13:56

There are also the Lady Grace mysteries, if she's into historical detective stories.

fredfortoday · 23/06/2016 15:09

Thanks very much for all of these suggestions - please keep them coming - this should last us until Xmas!

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GinIsIn · 23/06/2016 15:17

The Sally Lockhart chronicles by Phillip Pullman. There's a little bit of laudanum and a murder or two but they are still fairly age suitable!

LordTrash · 23/06/2016 15:21

My dds (10 and 12) both enjoyed Frost Hollow Hall by Emma Carroll - Victorian-set ghost story - plus another of hers about a 19th century circus girl going over the Niagara Falls on a tightrope, but the title of that escapes me just now.

Not based on actual historical events, as such, but lots of period detail and atmosphere.

I've also recently bought Lucy Worsley's Eliza Rose for myself! Looking forward to reading it.

ISaySteadyOn · 23/06/2016 15:48

Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Dido Twite series
Both are by Joan Aiken.

LadyEnglefield · 23/06/2016 17:38

LordTrash - it's the Girl Who Walked on Air. My DDs (10) both loved it and Frost Hollow Hall.

maamalady · 23/06/2016 17:59

Is modern history alright? I loved Robert Westall's The Machine Gunners at about that age (the sequel is dreadful, though). Perhaps The Boy In Striped Pyjamas or The Diary of Anne Frank might go down well too. I have always loved learning about second world war history, as you could probably guess...

maamalady · 24/06/2016 03:06

Oh, oh, or Goodnight Mister Tom, The Secret Garden, or Tom's Midnight Garden.

JolieColombe · 24/06/2016 04:37

Also by Joan Aiken - Midnight is a Place.