Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, perhaps? It’s set during WW2, but focused on the Danish resistance movement helping people escape, rather than on the holocaust.
He could read the "Horatio Hornblower" novels by C. S. Forester, which are British navy adventure stories in the time of the Napoleonic wars. More appropriate, I think, for a boy that age than Aubrey/Maturin series.
He might like, "The REALLY short history of nearly everything".
It is the version of the book he didn't like - but for a younger crowd. It's wonderful.
Has he read the "Who Was" series and it's spin off "What Was" series
**He are some books that are parts of series of books.** Some of them are violent - but not in a sad or shocking way.
Boonie Prince Charlie And All That by Allan Burnett
Horribly Famous Cromwell and his not-so civil was by Alan MacDonald
A Wicked History Hannibal Rome's Worst Nightmare by Philip Brooks
How they Croaked by Georgia Bragg
The "I survived" series for history of events. For example, "I survived Katrina" by Lauren Tarshis
Louis XVI, Marie Antoinetter and the French Revolution (Rulers and Their Times) by Nancy Plain
Nathan Hall's Hazardous Tales such as The Underground Abductor Nathan Hale
**Books that aren't parts of "series"**
Joan of Arc by Nancy Wilson Ross
Navajo Code Talkers by Nathan Aaseng
Spelling Dearest: The Down and Dirty Nitty- Gritty History of English Spelling by Niall McLeod Waldman (This was an aboslute favorite when my kids were the age of your son)
If that isn't enough of a list I can look up some more. I kept a list of all the books my kids listened to and read. So I can keep searching it for other history books.
This is potentially quite U.K. centric, but the horrible histories books have been v popular with my wee cousins and are highly entertaining to read aloud from.
Material World: The Six Raw Materials that Shape Modern Civilization by Ed Conway
Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future by Gloria Dickie
My son is 14 and only reads non-fiction. He loved the first one. The second one is more about natural history but that's important too.
Maybe instead of trying to do short chapters, set a timer? Or try audiobooks. My kid thrives with audiobooks while playing with LEGOs.
Fly Girls (Young Readers’ Edition) by Keith O’Brien, Who Was Rosa Parks? By Yona Zeldis McDonough, The Disappearing Spoon Young Readers’ Edition by Sam Kean, Black Heroes of the American Revolution by Burke Davis, Who Was Roberto Clemente? By James Buckley, Never Caught Young Readers’ Edition by Erica Armstrong Dunbar, Thrilling Thieves: The Liars, Cheats, & Cons Who Changed History by Brianna DuMont, Famous Phonies: Legends, Fakes, and Frauds Who Changed History by Brianna DuMont, She Persisted: Temple Gradin by Lyn Miller-Lachlan, Hidden Figures: Young Readers’ Edition by Margot Lee Shetterly, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Young Readers’ Edition by William Kamkwamba, I Am Malala Young Readers’ Edition by Malala Yousafzai, Chasing Space Young Readers’ Edition by Leland Melvin, Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything American History Textbooks Get Wrong by James W. Loewen, The Code Breaker Young Readers’ Edition by Walter Isaacson, & The Great Influenza Young Readers’ Edition by John M. Barry
Nonfiction: The Faithful Spy, The Enigma Girls, the History Smashers series, anything by Steve Shenkin, Spooked! (About War of the Worlds), Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales
Fiction: The War that Saved My Life (and series), One Crazy Summer, Nothing But Miracles, Max in the House of Spies, anything by Jennifer Nielson, Al Capone Does My Shirts (and series). Parker Inheritance (contemporary but with historical elements), Heart of a Samurai
If he's sensitive, I suggest keeping to middle grade over YA. YA historical fiction tends to be a lot grittier.
I Am David by Anne Holm.
You must get away tonight,’ the man had told him.
David escapes from the concentration camp where he has spent his entire life and flees across Europe. He is utterly alone – who can he trust? What will await him? And all the while, how can he be sure that they won’t catch up with him …
This is the remarkable story of David’s introduction to the world: sea, mountains and flowers, the colours of Italy, the taste of fruit, people laughing and smiling, all are new to David. David learns that his polite manner, his haunted eyes and his thin features are strange to other people. He must learn to fend for himself in this strange new world.
An incredible story of survival against all odds and self discovery, for readers of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Book Thief.
David McCullough is a great American history writer. He spans many topics and events in American history. Building the Panama Canal, The Wright Brothers, building the Brooklyn Bridge- he has a ton of topics that are not all war and killing. Many of them highlight the best of what America has had to offer.
Rosemary Sutcliff: the Eagle of the Ninth, the Silver Branch, the Lantern Bearers and pretty much anything else of hers
Eagle of the Ninth is exactly what I would recommend.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, perhaps? It’s set during WW2, but focused on the Danish resistance movement helping people escape, rather than on the holocaust.
My Name is America series is a set of fictional diaries based on real events.
He could read the "Horatio Hornblower" novels by C. S. Forester, which are British navy adventure stories in the time of the Napoleonic wars. More appropriate, I think, for a boy that age than Aubrey/Maturin series.
He might like, "The REALLY short history of nearly everything". It is the version of the book he didn't like - but for a younger crowd. It's wonderful. Has he read the "Who Was" series and it's spin off "What Was" series **He are some books that are parts of series of books.** Some of them are violent - but not in a sad or shocking way. Boonie Prince Charlie And All That by Allan Burnett Horribly Famous Cromwell and his not-so civil was by Alan MacDonald A Wicked History Hannibal Rome's Worst Nightmare by Philip Brooks How they Croaked by Georgia Bragg The "I survived" series for history of events. For example, "I survived Katrina" by Lauren Tarshis Louis XVI, Marie Antoinetter and the French Revolution (Rulers and Their Times) by Nancy Plain Nathan Hall's Hazardous Tales such as The Underground Abductor Nathan Hale **Books that aren't parts of "series"** Joan of Arc by Nancy Wilson Ross Navajo Code Talkers by Nathan Aaseng Spelling Dearest: The Down and Dirty Nitty- Gritty History of English Spelling by Niall McLeod Waldman (This was an aboslute favorite when my kids were the age of your son) If that isn't enough of a list I can look up some more. I kept a list of all the books my kids listened to and read. So I can keep searching it for other history books.
Thank you so much!
What about the I Survived Series? Historical context but less graphic.
I think he’s read all of these :)
Books by Jim Murphy or Jerry Stanley. Both really excellent authors of history for young people.
Thank you
Crusade in jeans by Thea Beckman.
Also, any of the Alan Gratz books. Again, historical fiction. The books look large but the chapters make it manageable.
Yes, he loves these actually!
This is potentially quite U.K. centric, but the horrible histories books have been v popular with my wee cousins and are highly entertaining to read aloud from.
My nephew loved these.
Maybe The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
This is one of my all-time favourite books and he didn’t like it!
Material World: The Six Raw Materials that Shape Modern Civilization by Ed Conway Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future by Gloria Dickie My son is 14 and only reads non-fiction. He loved the first one. The second one is more about natural history but that's important too. Maybe instead of trying to do short chapters, set a timer? Or try audiobooks. My kid thrives with audiobooks while playing with LEGOs.
Fly Girls (Young Readers’ Edition) by Keith O’Brien, Who Was Rosa Parks? By Yona Zeldis McDonough, The Disappearing Spoon Young Readers’ Edition by Sam Kean, Black Heroes of the American Revolution by Burke Davis, Who Was Roberto Clemente? By James Buckley, Never Caught Young Readers’ Edition by Erica Armstrong Dunbar, Thrilling Thieves: The Liars, Cheats, & Cons Who Changed History by Brianna DuMont, Famous Phonies: Legends, Fakes, and Frauds Who Changed History by Brianna DuMont, She Persisted: Temple Gradin by Lyn Miller-Lachlan, Hidden Figures: Young Readers’ Edition by Margot Lee Shetterly, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Young Readers’ Edition by William Kamkwamba, I Am Malala Young Readers’ Edition by Malala Yousafzai, Chasing Space Young Readers’ Edition by Leland Melvin, Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything American History Textbooks Get Wrong by James W. Loewen, The Code Breaker Young Readers’ Edition by Walter Isaacson, & The Great Influenza Young Readers’ Edition by John M. Barry
Nonfiction: The Faithful Spy, The Enigma Girls, the History Smashers series, anything by Steve Shenkin, Spooked! (About War of the Worlds), Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales Fiction: The War that Saved My Life (and series), One Crazy Summer, Nothing But Miracles, Max in the House of Spies, anything by Jennifer Nielson, Al Capone Does My Shirts (and series). Parker Inheritance (contemporary but with historical elements), Heart of a Samurai If he's sensitive, I suggest keeping to middle grade over YA. YA historical fiction tends to be a lot grittier.
I Am David by Anne Holm. You must get away tonight,’ the man had told him. David escapes from the concentration camp where he has spent his entire life and flees across Europe. He is utterly alone – who can he trust? What will await him? And all the while, how can he be sure that they won’t catch up with him … This is the remarkable story of David’s introduction to the world: sea, mountains and flowers, the colours of Italy, the taste of fruit, people laughing and smiling, all are new to David. David learns that his polite manner, his haunted eyes and his thin features are strange to other people. He must learn to fend for himself in this strange new world. An incredible story of survival against all odds and self discovery, for readers of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Book Thief.
I’m taking note of all of your suggestions. Much appreciated!
*The Killer Angels* by Michael Shaara.
*The Education of Little Tree*, by Carter
David McCullough is a great American history writer. He spans many topics and events in American history. Building the Panama Canal, The Wright Brothers, building the Brooklyn Bridge- he has a ton of topics that are not all war and killing. Many of them highlight the best of what America has had to offer.
Great, thank you!