With many schools and libraries closed right now, finding great books for kids to enjoy and learn from can be a challenge. I’ve compiled a list of 20 books and series that kids really like, but are also educational. What better time than now to help our kids dig into awesome books that they’ll never want to end!
These are wild times. Things are changing on a daily, even hourly basis, as the world struggles through a pandemic that has touched all our lives.
Our children most of all. Even though they are not the demographic most at risk from COVID-19, they are the ones most sensitive to change. To instability. And to fear.
When schools shut down in many places in the country, and world, many of us gave a sigh of relief. We worried for our kids and also the workers and teachers in the schools. But now that our kids are home, we are probably all trying to navigate what happens next.
Some like myself, are trying to stick to the plan – the lesson plan that is, since I was homeschooling my kids anyway. But even I have to admit that it’s hard. In Nevada, all non-essential businesses are closed and public gathering places shuttered. This is not the way we normally homeschool.
Others are treating it like a vacation. Still others are feeling their way through this new normal of teaching at home. Whatever path you are following, you are probably feeling a little overwhelmed with the situation.
So, as we spend the next few weeks almost exclusively within the walls of our own homes, what do we do now?
I compiled this list of books because I know that for many kids, books are an escape. They take them to faraway places to meet interesting characters. They are an experience of the imagination. And they can also be educational, without losing the fun and intensity that makes kids keep turning pages.
As you look for ways to teach your kids, maybe try something a little different. Put books in their hands that will teach them and engage them, but also entertain them. Learning can be fun, and books are often the passport on that journey.
These books are biographies, fantasy, historical fiction, mysteries, and more. I’ve read them all with my kids, some as read alouds and some they read and passed along to each other and me. Hopefully, you’ll find something for everyone here, and give your kids a chance to take a break from social distancing and get to know some really amazing people in the pages of these books.
20 Books that Kids at Home Will Love (& Learn from!)
[Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see below for more details]
1. Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
This series is great for younger elementary school kids and is a fun and easy way to learn about famous times and people in history. If your kids are extra interested, there are accompanying Fact Tracker books that go into more depth.
2. Who was… biographies by various authors
My upper elementary school kids love these biographies (some cover famous places, too). They are just the right reading level and cover so many different historical and pop culture figures. I originally used them in class, but now my kids are reading them for fun.
3. Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
We are big fans of the Little House books. The language used is perfect for elementary school kids, but the subjects will enthrall upper grades, too. My daughter says that The Long Winter reminds her of the self-isolation that is going on right now (though in the book, it is weather keeping them in). Boys and girls will find these frontier stories fascinating.
4. Nory Ryan’s Song by Patricia Reilly Giff
You’d think the Potato Famine that occurred in Ireland in the 1840s would not be great reading, but my kids begged to read the sequel to this book when we finished. It’s so exciting, realistic, and interesting, you’ll want to make it a family read aloud.
5. The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner
These elementary-level mysteries are great fun. They use simple language so even younger kids can enjoy them, and they also introduce new words and ideas. The older ones are better in my opinion, but there are over 100 now. Plus, the Alden children are refreshingly kind and polite.
6. Gooseberry Park series by Cynthia Rylant
These books about an assortment of animals that live in Gooseberry Park are fun and funny. They also deal with big issues, so they never feel silly or fluffy. I think they’re especially apropos as we deal with issues that require community engagement and helping each other.
7. Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Composers/Artists series by Mike Venezia
If you think classical musicians are boring, this series done in a cartoon style will change your mind. Kids will like the approachable way the author presents biographical info while still getting the point across.
8. Maroo of the Winter Caves by Ann Turnbull
Set in the Ice Age, this book follows a family as they find themselves separated from their clan and forced to send Maroo and her little brother on a rescue mission to save the family.
9. The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
This story would be cool enough if it was just about a brother and sister running away to the MET in New York City. But it’s also a mystery. Upper elementary kids will love this one. (And there are tons of resources online if you want to make a teaching unit centered around it.)
10. Dear America series by various authors
For older elementary kids who want books that put a face on historical times and events, this series fits the bill. Written as diaries and first-hand accounts, they can see different historical periods that might seem dry through fresh and personal eyes.
11. The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis
Kids can escape to the world of Narnia. This series will take kids from England to a magical world where animals talk, a White Witch rules, and a lion named Aslan is the only one who can save them all. A brilliant classic!
12. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
This is a lovely story of friendship between three very different children and the healing power of nature. Maybe we can all use the reminder of the beauty in our own backyards, no matter what is going on in the world. The illustrations in some of the editions are just gorgeous.
13. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Some people love these books, others are put off by the wizardry. To be honest, I allow my older children to read them because I think they do a good job of illustrating the fight of good against evil, and the need for moral courage. And they will really get kids reading (these are really long books for kids).
14. The Freddy books by Walter R. Brooks
The Freddy books were written a while back so they may seem old-fashioned, but my children all really like them. I think the cast of characters and peculiar situations that they get themselves into are the draw. A fun read.
15. Various books by Mitsumasa Anno
From books on countries, to math, to fables, Mitsumasa Anno writes and illustrates some really amazing books. We started with the math concepts and are moving through the countries. They’re simple, yet powerful.
16. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
The story of young Ruby Bridges, a 6-year-old African-American girl sent to an all-white school, is a powerful narrative about a subject that every child should understand. And seeing it through the eyes of another child will make it that much more relatable.
17. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
This series will let your kids escape to the quiet world of Prince Edward Island and experience the antics of Anne as she navigates this new world herself. Upper elementary school-age girls might like this best.
18. If you were me and lived in… series by Carole P. Roman
We are all connected, so why not help our kids see what life is like all over the world, and even at different points in history. These are very engaging and great for elementary school kids.
19. Heroes in History series by Janet & Geoff Benge
There are books in this series that are geared to girls, boys, and to both groups. But whichever series you go with, these are inspiring and exciting tales of some of the best heroes in history.
20. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Everyone needs a little adventure. Why not go on a treasure hunt? Kids can follow the swashbuckling tale of Jim as he goes in search of treasure on the high seas. A fun classic.
I hope this list has given you some ideas for books for your kids that will bring them exciting tales, both fact and fiction, to entertain and educate them during their time off from school. Good luck and God bless!
Looking for more posts on family and learning? Check out these:
How to Inspire Curiosity, Creativity, and a Love of Reading in Your Children
12 Ways to Successfully Work at Home with Kids
[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]
Leave a Reply