Inspired by the world,
Implemented at home.
Learn a little something extra this week.
Book Series & Book List Printables
So much of this system relies on series book because I can grab them and know just what to expect. Here are a few of our favorites and a few that aren't for us. Lists with free printables are marked with a ⭐.
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Nonfiction Books
While you really only need one nonfiction chapter book I usually only get one of the other of a Who HQ (first choice) or a Magic Treehouse companion book. I will, however, grab a You Wouldn't Want to Be book to go along with. Likewise, even though I'm noting that these aren't my favorites, I will usually grab a DK Eyewitness book as well - not to read through but to flip though and see maps and pictures.
Nonfiiction Chapter Books
I love this series! These books are what first inspired this whole project. These incredibly affordable books are broken into easy to digest chapters. They frequently cover difficult material in an age-appropriate way. Overall, these are wonderful!
Free
Printable
Nonfiction Chapter Books
These are the non-fiction companion books to the Magic Treehouse series. In them, Jack and Annie guide you through what they've learned about a particular topic or region. While I prefer the Who HQ books, these are still a great option. You can read them cover to cover or just skim and read what catches your eye.
Nonfiiction Chapter/Picture Books
The wacky illustrations and tone of these books are a big hit with my kids. Essentially they profile a particular person or role throughout history and expand on all the worst parts their lives. They're silly and also informative; which is a win!
Nonfiction Reference Books
I've noted these books as ones I don't recommend but that's not entirely accurate. I don't recommend them as your only books because they are massive and intimidating and that kind of information overload is not what this program is about. However, I do pick them up sometimes to flip through as a small part of our week.
Fiction Books
A fiction chapter book keep little minds interested in any topic. On my blog I usually note which books I recommend for younger learners and which ones are longer or more challenging and are better suited to older kids.
When possible, we always end the week with a You Choose book - which can be read in 20 minutes or so.
Fiction Chapter Books
This series is a staple for a lot of households. After you read the first couple books, you really don't need to continue in order; we skip around based on our weekly theme. Over at The Homeschool Resource Room, they've compiled a list of the book by region and even have a printable map. In a nutshell, siblings Jack and Annie magically journey throughout history to complete various missions. The writing and the stories are very simple towards the beginning of the series and they grow with your child as the series progresses.
Interactive Fiction Chapter Books
Free
Printable
These books have a lot of peril but are tons of fun and very engaging. We save these books for the end of the week so we can make informed decisions and increase our chances for surviving. I'm in the process of creating a master list because it doesn't seem avalible anywhere on the internet. Click below for my book lists, organized by region. Or, I usually I have luck if I just google, "You Choose (insert topic here) book".
Africa book list/map
Asia book list/map
Fiction Chapter Books
With short chapters and a smattering of pictures these early chapters books are perfect for younger learners. In them, modern day twins Ella and Ethen travel around the world with their (often clueless) parents and stumble upon mysteries. The books contain perfect parts story and region-specific information to keep little ones interested. The books don't need to be read in order.
Fiction Chapter Books
Ranger, a would-be search and rescue dog, is mysteriously transported throughout history to help people in need. The books are told from Ranger's perspective in a charmingly realistic way - he has no magic, he doesn't talk, he doesn't understand where he is. He only knows that he's trained to help people - so he does. These books are full of adventure and offer a paws on the ground view of some of history's most dramatic moments. In short, my girls love Ranger!
Historical Fiction Chapter Books
This series takes a horse from a specific place and time and tells their story, from birth to old age, from their perspective. Instead of an traditional storyline arc, true to it's series title, they read more like a diary. It's an engaging way to experience a bit of history and despite the lack of actual plot, my girls love these books.
Fiction Chapter Books
This series tells stories of adventurous girls and the mysteries they uncover. While the regions covered aren't extensive, each one does have several books. The website is also a wealth of information for travel-minded kids.
Historical Fiction Chapter Books
These books, quite realistically tell the stories of various fictional girls throughout American History (and abroad in Girls of Many Lands). Good times and bad times are told through the lens of a typical girl of that period. Each girl has several main books and a plethora of spinoff material including mystery books, short stories, craft books, cook books and more. The American Girls website does a horrible job of listing the books so here's a link to an organized Wikipedia page.
Fiction Chapter Books
While this series' primary focus isn't global cultures or history, these books do pop up a lot in my searches for specific regions or time periods. There are tons of these books and someone must love them but I find their madcap plots and frantic pace exhausting and the illustrated format disruptive. The books are set in a mouse-centric universe with many similarities to ours and the main character, Geronimo, is a reporter who gets wrapped up in all sorts of adventures. If your kids like them, by all means, go for it, there just not for me.
Religious Fiction Chapter Books
This series frequently pops up in my searches about historical times and places but if you delve a little deeper, you'll realize they are Christian books. While it's perfectly fine that these are available to people who want that, they aren't for us. I would also prefer that books be a bit more transparent about their religious affiliations.
Picture Books
Library inventories vary a lot with picture books. Rather than wasting time tracking down specific ones, I like to do keyword searches and just grab what's available. Once I have them home, I'll pick and choose a bit more and let the kids decide what to read as well.
Picture Books
Two little dogs, Bella & Harry, travel the world with their human family (that we barely see) and tell the readers all about the trip. The illustrations are beautiful and incredibly accurate) and the books read like nice little picture books but still manage to pack in a lot of information. There are over 20 destinations in total.
Picture Books
Some of these books are historical and some are modern day cultural but all of them and nice picture books that do a good job presenting another way of life.
