A nod to history, my favorite subject to teach. Looking for good history suggestions? Look right here: Homeschool History Curriculum

1. Tirzah Covering the Exodus and time spent wandering the desert, Tirzah is a fast-paced story that accurately depicts Biblical events while keeping the attention of both boys and girls. I've read this one aloud twice.

2. Shadow Hawk Great adventure set in Ancient Egypt, covering people and events that actually lived and occurred. Well-written and exciting, even for a mom who doesn't love war stories (me).

3. The Golden Goblet I'm mentioning if I've read a selection more than once because that fact tells you that a book was worthy enough for me to put forth the effort and read it all over again several years later for different kiddos. The Golden Goblet is one of those titles that has seen multiple readings because it is a story with many layers, compelling action, and very likeable (and some hate-able) characters.

4. God King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah Back to Ancient Egypt, God King is a story of young Prince Taharka, never expected to assume the throne. That, of course, is when all the trouble begins.

5. Mara, Daughter of the Nile This title sat on my shelf for a number of years, but once we picked it up and read it, I couldn't believe I'd missed it. Slave girl unexpectedly turned py, Mara, Daughter of the Nile is a great read-aloud, especially if you need a story that keeps you awake and the kids glued to the storyline.

6. The Ides of April Like Mara, The Ides of April was on my shelf and radar for a number of years before I got around to reading it to the kids. Another story of slavery, murder, jealousy, and injustice, but set in Ancient Greece. The story is fantastic and exciting, and the talk of Grecian politics makes the reader familiar with the set-up of Grecian government.

7. Beyond the Desert Gate A follow-up to The Ides of April, this book is set in Palestine in the first century, A.D. Lots of Roman action and a good picture of what life at the time of Christ was like.

8. ittite Warrior Written by the same author as God King, Hittite Warrior is a fast-paced adventure about a boy whose family was killed by the Greeks, who must then fight back the forces of the Hebrews and the Philistines.

9. The Bronze Bow This one has also been read aloud twice here, and I found new things in the story the second time around. That's a sign of enduring literature! hatred for the Romans, the answer in a Jewish teacher... this is good storytelling.

10. Vinegar Boy Also read aloud twice in our home, Vinegar Boy is a book I consider to be a must-read for the time period. A young man with a port wine stain that destroys his chance to be a respected member of society. Romans, Hebrews, a rebel by the name of Barabbus and a man claiming to be the Messiah make for story-telling that will have you tenderly weeping at the end.

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