Living History Books for Form 3 Students (Grades 7-8)
American History Options
There aren’t a lot of living book options for Middle School History, so my pick is The Story of the Thirteen Colonies and The Great Republic by H.A. Guerber, which isn’t my favorite choice, but it is currently in-print.
I list my absolute favorite books for Middle School History in the Curriculum Form Guide for Form 3, but because they are all out-of-print and hard to find., I do not list them here.
Options for British History
Any of the books listed here can be used as a History Spine for a second history stream focused on British History.
Charlotte used Our Island Story by H.E. Marshall for her Form 1 students, but I think it still works wonderfully for Form 2 and even Form 3 students, especially since it is used as a secondary history stream. It is beautifully narrative and a wonderful way to learn British history.
If you feel that your student needs a more challenging book for British History, you might want to choose A History of England by H.O. Arnold-Forster. Charlotte used this book for students in Form 2 and Form 3.
Options for World History
If you’d rather focus on World History, any of the books listed here can be used as a World History Spine.
Alternatively, you could also spend a year or two in Form 3 studying your state’s history instead of British or World History.
Charlotte used The Story of Mankind by Van Loon for her Form 3 students.
Options for Ancient History
Any of the books listed here can be used as a History Spine for a third history stream focused on Ancient History.
Form 3 students did not study Ancient History, but if your student has not studied Ancient Greek or Roman history yet, I would advise adding that as a third stream of history (as was done in Form 2).
History through Biographies & Events
These books are good examples of books you could use instead of or in addition to the spines listed above.
More books will be added in the coming weeks…
Historical Fiction
These books are good examples of books you could use for History Tales / Historical Fiction.
Other Books & Things I Love for Form 3 Students
These are good examples of books you can use as supplements or just for fun!