Amazing Middle Ages Books for Kids: Picture Books to Chapter Books

I’m so excited – it’s time to pull out all our favorite Middle Ages books for kids and explore the fascinating world of castles, knights, cathedrals, and discoveries! This year in our homeschool, our history cycle is focusing on studying the Medieval Ages and the Renaissance.

There are some fabulous Medieval biographies, informational texts, and historical fiction books for kids that we keep coming back to year after year. These rich and engaging resources bring the Middle Ages and Renaissance history to life for children in such exciting ways!

Learning About the Middle Ages with Kids Is So Engaging!

Our kids love learning about the Medieval Ages – and with the right books, this time period truly becomes one of the most exciting parts of our homeschool year.

Our Homeschool History Cycle

In our homeschool, we dive into world history using a 4-year cyclical approach, giving our children the chance to revisit and deepen their understanding of each historical era as they grow.

Year 1 – Ancient History (Ancient Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Rome, China)
Year 2 – Middle Ages & Renaissance (our current focus!)
Year 3 – US History (or Texas History for our local flair—yee-haw!)
Year 4 – Modern World History

Repeating this history cycle means kids will study each era three times during their school years, gaining deeper insight into historical events, people, and cultures each time around.

Studying the Middle Ages with Kids

Our Middle Ages study for kids begins with the fall of Ancient Rome, transitioning into early medieval history—exploring the Celts, Barbarians, the Byzantine Empire, and Charlemagne. We study the bold Viking explorers, then launch into the age of castles and knights, the Crusades, and legendary figures like Robin Hood and Joan of Arc.

We don’t stop at Europe! Our Medieval studies also explore the Samurai warriors of Japan, Genghis Khan and the Mongols, India, and China during the same period.

Next, we transition into the era of global exploration, studying the Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans and famous explorers, before circling back to Europe for the awe-inspiring Renaissance—highlighting figures like Gutenberg, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, and Queen Elizabeth I. We also study the great thinkers of the Reformation, such as Martin Luther, and the enduring works of Shakespeare.

What a year of learning! Boys and girls alike enjoy diving into these rich and captivating stories. These carefully chosen Middle Ages books for kids help history leap off the page and into their imaginations.

Our Favorite Middle Ages History Spines

We begin with a few trusted Middle Ages textbooks for kids to form the foundation of our studies and then enhance our learning with fantastic Medieval trade books from the curated lists below.

Core Textbooks

The Story of the World Vol. 2: The Middle Ages by Susan Wise Bauer
The Usborne Time Traveler – for elementary students
The Usborne Book of World History – for younger elementary students
The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History – for older elementary students & middle school
Favorite Medieval Tales by Mary Pope Osborne & Troy Howell

These are engaging, richly illustrated books that cover Middle Ages and Renaissance history for kids in a way that’s both accessible and memorable.

Jump Ahead to Your Favorite Book Lists

Looking for the best Medieval and Renaissance books for kids by age or reading level? Click to jump straight to the section you need:

Best Picture Books About the Middle Ages
Middle Ages Beginning Readers & Early Chapter Books
Middle Ages Chapter Books for Upper Elementary Students
Middle Ages & Renaissance Books for Middle School
Middle Ages & Renaissance Books for High School

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Middle Ages and Renaissance books for Middle School

Middle Ages & Renaissance Books for Middle School

The Story of Rolf and the Vikin g Bow by Allen French
The Vi kings by Elizabeth Janeway
Winning His Spurs: A Tale of the Crusades by G.A. Henty
Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, translated by Barbara Cohen
Usborne Tales of Robinhood by Tony Allen
The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli
Secret of the And es by Ann Nolan Clark
Leonard o da Vinci by Emily Hahn
The Apprentice by Pilar Molina Llorente
Genghis Khan and the Mongol H orde by Harold Lamb

Middle Ages Books for High School

Middle Ages and Renaissance books for High School

Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney
Inferno by Dante Alighiere, translated by Henry Wadswoth Longfellow
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, translated by Nevill Coghill
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, translated by Tim Parks
Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

A Note About Reading Levels

Remember that kids greatly enjoy reading books that are a bit too easy for them – and they still learn great facts and content. Case in point – my middle schooler snagged my stack of beginning readers while I was prepping for this blog post and quickly read one of the early beginning readers. It was way too easy, of course, – but she really enjoyed it!

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a family read-aloud, reach for a book a bit more challenging than your kids can read on their own. With your vocal intonations and explanations, you’ll help them uncover the new vocabulary and give insight into the meaning of the text.

So don’t be afraid to check out the varying levels within the book lists above! Your kids just might love it!

Not sure about your child’s reading level? No worries – here’s a 10-minute reading check any parent can give using any book. It’s so simple and will help you know how your child’s reading level.

Tie in the Civics

Wanting to tie some civics into your Medieval and Renaissance study year? Hands down, my favorite civics books for kids are the Tuttle Twins Series. Read my full review and see for yourself! And if you have older kids, try their thought-provoking civics series for teens. They mix well with any time period you are studying, including the Middle Ages because they focus on big ideas such as freedom, free market, and critical thinking.

Disclaimer: Each book featured in the list is hyper-linked to Amazon where I can earn a small commission if you purchase through my link. It’s no additional cost for you, but helps me and my family. I only promote books and products that I’m familiar with and truly believe in. Thank you for helping out another homeschooling family!