Find a selection of book-banded middle-grade that will bring history to life! Travel back in time to Ancient Egypt with Terry Deary, voyage in a time machine with Iszi Lawrence, or visit Bletchley Park and meet the resistance fighters of World War II.
Ideal for readers aged 9+
A thrilling spy adventure set in New York during the American revolution. From the rising star of children's historical fiction, Iszi Lawrence, this is the perfect high-action adventure for fans of Horrible Histories, Emma Carroll and Hamilton.
It's 1780 and the struggle for American independence is raging. In New York, twelve-year-old Aiden Blaise is sure that the British will win soon. How can a few rebel colonies hold out against the might of the British crown? And anyway he's more concerned with somehow managing to rise above his lot in life and make his fortune.
But New York is a powder keg of soldiers and spies, and soon Aiden will be drawn into the fight for freedom in a way he could never have predicted...
Perfect for readers aged 7-9
A page-turning, laugh-out-loud historical adventure by comedian and broadcaster Iszi Lawrence, perfect for fans of Horrible Histories.
Time flies when you're having fun. But what does it do when you're not?
Sunil's next door neighbour Alex is trying to cheer him up after a tricky maths test sends his day pear-shaped. Originally searching for an American corn dog, Sunil and Alex are soon journeying through time to meet child versions of future leaders. From getting in a scrap defending a young Rosa Parks to fetching water with baby Genghis Khan and a close encounter with the Tudors, will Sunil and Alex want to come back home at all? And will Mr Shaykes and his pet kiwi ever keep it down?!
Perfect for readers aged 7-9
A page-turning, laugh-out-loud historical adventure by comedian and broadcaster Iszi Lawrence, perfect for fans of Horrible Histories.
Time flies when you're having fun. But what does it do when you're not?
Sunil and his not-very-normal next door neighbour Alex are back for another hilarious adventure as they whizz through time. This time Sunil and Alex find themselves tangled up in British civil wars, from the Roman invasion to the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 and their very own witch trial in the 1640s. As if that wasn't enough to deal with, there's double the trouble with Alex-from-the-future and her shiny boots running around too! Will Sunil, Alex and Alex-from-the-future ever get home? And will Mr Shaykes and his pet kiwi ever leave them alone?!
Perfect for readers aged 7+
Terry Deary's Terrible True Tales: Romans explores the wonders of the Roman Empire through the eyes of children who could have lived at the time. Packed with fun illustrations by Helen Flook, these stories feature real people and take place in some of the most significant moments in Roman history.
The Fatal Fire Mary is terrified to accompany her master into the big, scary city of Rome. Then she finds herself the only witness to a terrible crime, and suddenly there's danger at every turn…
The Captive Celt Rome is thrilled by the news that the infamous British chief Caratacus has been captured. Little does Bran, a feisty young Celtic slave, realise that this event is going to change his life.
The Goose Guards Rome is under attack and the barbarian army is now preparing to besiege the home of Brutus, a trainee priest. Will rescue ever come and will Brutus know who to trust?
The Grim Ghost Pertinax is helping his grandmother when the great Pliny himself tells him a ghost story set in the very garden they're standing in. But there's no truth in ghost stories... right?
Perfect for readers aged 7+
Terry Deary's Terrible True Tales: Egyptians explores the world of ancient Egypt through the eyes of children who could have lived at the time. Packed with fun illustrations by Helen Flook, these stories feature real people and take place in some of the most recognisable Egyptian settings.
The Gold in the Grave A group of thieves plot to rob Tutankhamen's tomb of its vast wealth. If they succeed, it'll be the greatest robbery in history. If they fail, the consequences are severe...
The Magic and the Mummy When the pharaoh dies, it's Neria's job to mummify his cat. The trouble is, the cat is still alive. Can Neria find a way to save the cat without being caught and punished?
The Plot on the Pyramid The Great Pyramid is a lively place to work. The only problem is Antef, the fussy, irritating supervisor. When the workers go on strike, everyone's loyalty is tested.
The Phantom of the Nile Menes, a trainee scribe, is tasked with getting rid of a ghost. But what if the phantom is actually more human than supernatural? It will take all of Menes's skill and ingenuity to find out the truth...
Ideal for readers aged 10+
A thrilling and empowering coming-of-age WWII adventure set in the dazzling city of Cairo which follows an engaging, determined, Muslim heroine called Rosina Raja. Perfect for fans of Michael Morpurgo and Emma Carroll, and those looking for diverse historical fiction.
It is the autumn of 1941, and Rosie Raja is back for another action-packed and electrifying adventure. After successfully helping her spy father complete his mission in France, Rosie has gained quite a reputation for herself and is determined to continue her secret agent escapades.
This time around, Rosie finds herself undercover in the magnificent and scorching city of Cairo, officially to make sure Egypt's amazing historical artefacts are kept safe from the Nazis... but really to root out a traitor in the British ranks. With the stakes higher than they've ever been, can Rosie and her father keep each other safe?
Book Band: Dark Red
Ideal for readers aged 10+
Rosie Raja is back in an electrifying, codebreaking-filled escapade.
After breathtaking adventures in France and Egypt, trusted Rosie is put to the test among code breakers, double-crossers and resistance fighters in Bletchley Park, England, 1942.
This time around, Rosie finds herself among the best and brightest codebreakers and spies - from Noor Inayat Khan to Alan Turing and the Hut 8 codebreakers themselves. While Gandhi's Quit India movement is rising against the British Empire, Rosie and her spy father are working with British agents to keep the Nazis at bay. But with a rumoured Nazi spy working undercover at Bletchley park, who can Rosie trust? And when her father is put in serious danger, will she be able to save him?
Ideal for readers aged 10+
A riveting pirate tale set in the eighteenth century during the golden age of piracy in the Caribbean, perfect for fans of Emma Carroll and Jacqueline Wilson.
It's 1718: pirate ships sail the oceans and brutal slave masters control the plantations.
Eleven-year-old Abigail Buckler lives with her father in the Caribbean. Her clothes are made of finest muslin so she can't play in them, not that there's anyone to play with anyway. She isn't even allowed to go out alone. But when pirates attack Abigail's life will change forever. Suddenly her old certainties about right and wrong, good and bad start to unravel.
Maybe Abigail doesn't have to be so ladylike after all…
Book Band: Dark Red
Ideal for readers aged 10+
A thrilling World War II adventure set in occupied France, featuring an Indian RAF pilot. Great for fans of Michael Morpurgo and John Boyne, and those who want diverse historical fiction.
Thirteen-year-old Joelle Breton stumbles across Indian-born RAF pilot Mohinder Singh when his plane crashes in occupied France and it's up to her and her parents to hide him from the Nazis. After all, her parents are brave members of the French Resistance and will do everything they can to help get Mohinder back to Britain. But when they are betrayed and tragedy strikes, Joelle and Mohinder will have to act fast if they are ever to evade the enemy.
Book Band: Dark Red
Ideal for readers aged 9+
The gripping story of Boudica and her battle against the Roman empire, told through the eyes of a young girl. Perfect for fans of historical adventure.
Young Rhianna is relieved when Queen Boudica takes in her and her sister when their parents die. But there's a darkness in Boudica that's waiting to be unleashed and the Romans will suffer for their crimes against her. Soon, Rhianna witnesses much more than the kindness that Boudica has shown her and her sister. There's a battle coming... and a terrible aftermath.
This exciting and engaging take on a powerful woman from history from the master historical storyteller, Tony Bradman, is a great way to cover Boudica who is covered on the Key Stage 2 (KS2) curriculum in England.
Book Band: Dark Blue
Ideal for readers aged 9+
Roman and Celtic cultures collide in this thrilling adventure about the Roman conquest of Britain. Written by bestselling author Tony Bradman, this coming of age tale is perfect for fans of Rosemary Sutcliff and will have readers gripped from start to finish.
"I've fought every kind of barbarian, but the Britons are by far the worst..."
Marcus is excited about travelling to Britannia, an island at the edge of the world. But the Britons are savages who tattoo themselves and take the heads of their enemies in battle. They won't bow down to the rule of Rome. As Marcus travels to meet his father he meets Caractacus the barbarian chief instead and his destiny is changed forever, along with that of Britannia...
This exciting and dramatic story is packed with great characters and insight into the world of Roman Britain.
Book Band: Dark Blue
Ideal for readers aged 8+
Written by bestselling author Saviour Pirotta, this fast-paced story is set in the Islamic Golden Age when Baghdad was the largest and most dazzling city in the world. Perfect for fans of thrilling adventure.
Thirteen-year-old Jabir is hoping to save his family from being made homeless by finding work in Baghdad. Famished after his long journey to the city, Jabir is caught stealing bread and sent to prison. Luckily, one of the guards there notices that he has a gift for carving wooden models and he is released on the orders of the grand caliph Harun al Rashid himself.
In return Jabir must carve twelve golden horsemen, a gift from the caliph to the emperor Charlemagne. But someone is determined to stop Jabir from completing the work and he will stop at nothing, not even arson, to achieve his aim. Can Jabir and his friend Yasmina finish the horsemen or will Jabir be sent back to prison?
