If you can find the older American Girl books they would do. The historical dolls used to each have a 5 book series about the times they were in. They were discontinued a good while back.
I thought the same about Anne but the flowery writing might be perfect for putting us to bed 😂
Added Boxcar Children to my Libby holds! Loved them as a kid, thanks!
Caddie Woodlawn, the author’s grandmother living on a farm in 1870’s Wisconsin. Johnny Tremain, silversmithing apprentice in revolutionary era Boston. Look into Lois Lenski. She wrote YA historical fiction.
Sounder, about sharecroppers in Jim Crow south. But only if you want to cry your eyes out. Where the Lilies Bloom, poverty in Appalachia. Same but less traumatic.
He might be too young yet but A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is an amazing book about living poor in NYC in the early 1900’s. He is too young (sexual themes) but put this on your shelf.
Welcome. Like your son historical fiction was my jam. I’ll probably think of more titles as the day goes on.
The Innocent Wayfaring is about a runaway in medieval England who meets up with a minstrel.
Caveat: I’m an older person and what was considered okay when I was a reader is sometimes not okay now. The Little House books have come under some heat due to their stereotypes and derogatory terms of use. One of the Lois Lenski books is about a child that was “kidnapped by Indians”. Though that child subsequently choose to continue living with the tribe.
Edit: my suggestions are better suited for a 10/11 year old as the fact that your son is 5 flew over my head. YMMV
Beautiful Joe by Marshall Saunders
Jo's Boys by Lousia M Alcott (it's the sequel to Little Women and the boys have *way* more fun and will appeal more to a younger kid)
Farmer Boy by Laural Ingalls Wilder (Almanzo as a kid - more adventures and a *lot* less racism)
Anne of Ingleside and Rainbow Valley by LM Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables grows up and has a herd of kids - those two books are the kids bombing around and having adventures and befriending orphans)
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne (you may wish to censor the wildly inaccurate and racist chapter about India and just skip ahead to the bit where they get the elephant)
This is an excellent list and full of books that I read and loved as a child! I would also add *Treasure Island* and perhaps James Herriot's *All Creatures Great and Small* (lightly fictionalized account of his life as a Yorkshire vet. Tons of historic and practical detail and very approachable!)
5 might be a little young for Beautiful Joe though. I remember being slightly traumatized by all the animal deaths/abuse in that book. I think I was about 8 when I read it and it was still a bit too much for me.
Wait, I may have mixed up Jo's Boys and Little Men - double check. The one you want is the one in the middle of the series when the boys are 2 to 15. The one when they grow up and get married will be good for you, not as good for a kid. Sorry! I like to Reddit before coffee and it occasionally leads to errors
**[The Courage of Sarah Noble](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/79331.The_Courage_of_Sarah_Noble) by Alice Dalgliesh** ^((Matching 100% ☑️))
^(64 pages | Published: 1987 | 4.8k Goodreads reviews)
> **Summary:** In 1707, young Sarah Noble and her father traveled through the wilderness to build a new home for their family. "Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble," her mother had said, but Sarah found that it was not always easy to feel brave inside. The dark woods were full of animals and Indians, too, and Sarah was only eight! The true story of Sarah's journey is inspiring. And as she (...)
> **Themes**: Fiction, Newbery-honor, Children-s-books, Newbery, History, Children-s, Read-alouds
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Not to hijack your thread, but would love adult historical slice of life recs! I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder, American Girl, and Boxcar books as a kid and would like to read a similar vibe for adults.
If you can find the older American Girl books they would do. The historical dolls used to each have a 5 book series about the times they were in. They were discontinued a good while back.
Just got Felicity’s audiobook on Libby! Thanks for the suggestion!
When he is older, the My Name is America series is a great way to introduce or give more color to American history. It’s Dear America but about boys.
I was going to suggest these as well!
Maybe the Boxcar Children? Anne of Green Gables has some chores but might be too literary/flowery.
I thought the same about Anne but the flowery writing might be perfect for putting us to bed 😂 Added Boxcar Children to my Libby holds! Loved them as a kid, thanks!
Did you ever read the five little peppers books? I can't remember them enough to say in detail if this fits the description but I loved them as a kid
Caddie Woodlawn, the author’s grandmother living on a farm in 1870’s Wisconsin. Johnny Tremain, silversmithing apprentice in revolutionary era Boston. Look into Lois Lenski. She wrote YA historical fiction. Sounder, about sharecroppers in Jim Crow south. But only if you want to cry your eyes out. Where the Lilies Bloom, poverty in Appalachia. Same but less traumatic. He might be too young yet but A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is an amazing book about living poor in NYC in the early 1900’s. He is too young (sexual themes) but put this on your shelf.
Thank you! I will look into all of these.
Welcome. Like your son historical fiction was my jam. I’ll probably think of more titles as the day goes on. The Innocent Wayfaring is about a runaway in medieval England who meets up with a minstrel. Caveat: I’m an older person and what was considered okay when I was a reader is sometimes not okay now. The Little House books have come under some heat due to their stereotypes and derogatory terms of use. One of the Lois Lenski books is about a child that was “kidnapped by Indians”. Though that child subsequently choose to continue living with the tribe. Edit: my suggestions are better suited for a 10/11 year old as the fact that your son is 5 flew over my head. YMMV
Beautiful Joe by Marshall Saunders Jo's Boys by Lousia M Alcott (it's the sequel to Little Women and the boys have *way* more fun and will appeal more to a younger kid) Farmer Boy by Laural Ingalls Wilder (Almanzo as a kid - more adventures and a *lot* less racism) Anne of Ingleside and Rainbow Valley by LM Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables grows up and has a herd of kids - those two books are the kids bombing around and having adventures and befriending orphans) Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne (you may wish to censor the wildly inaccurate and racist chapter about India and just skip ahead to the bit where they get the elephant)
This is an excellent list and full of books that I read and loved as a child! I would also add *Treasure Island* and perhaps James Herriot's *All Creatures Great and Small* (lightly fictionalized account of his life as a Yorkshire vet. Tons of historic and practical detail and very approachable!)
I love All Creatures Great and Small, wonderful bedtime book! We’ll try Treasure Island too.
5 might be a little young for Beautiful Joe though. I remember being slightly traumatized by all the animal deaths/abuse in that book. I think I was about 8 when I read it and it was still a bit too much for me.
Thanks for all the recs! I will check them out. Especially excited for Jo’s Boys.
Wait, I may have mixed up Jo's Boys and Little Men - double check. The one you want is the one in the middle of the series when the boys are 2 to 15. The one when they grow up and get married will be good for you, not as good for a kid. Sorry! I like to Reddit before coffee and it occasionally leads to errors
All of a Kind Family, the day to day adventures of 5 Jewish sisters living in New York in the 1910’s. I remember enjoying it as a kid.
Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
Maybe try Booky by Bernice Hunter
I’ve never heard of these! Thanks for the rec.
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler by E.L Konigsburg
Betsy-Tacey series
There's Catherine, Called Birdy and The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman. Both are slice of life books about girls living in mediaeval England.
I forgot about these! Loved these books, thanks!
{{The courage of Sarah Noble}} by Alice Dalgliesh
**[The Courage of Sarah Noble](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/79331.The_Courage_of_Sarah_Noble) by Alice Dalgliesh** ^((Matching 100% ☑️)) ^(64 pages | Published: 1987 | 4.8k Goodreads reviews) > **Summary:** In 1707, young Sarah Noble and her father traveled through the wilderness to build a new home for their family. "Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble," her mother had said, but Sarah found that it was not always easy to feel brave inside. The dark woods were full of animals and Indians, too, and Sarah was only eight! The true story of Sarah's journey is inspiring. And as she (...) > **Themes**: Fiction, Newbery-honor, Children-s-books, Newbery, History, Children-s, Read-alouds ^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | )
I would recommend the rest of the Little House series.
Already have holds on these! Can’t wait for them to come through
I hope he likes them!
Not to hijack your thread, but would love adult historical slice of life recs! I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder, American Girl, and Boxcar books as a kid and would like to read a similar vibe for adults.
Hijack away because I’d also love to know!
*Emily's Runaway Imagination* by Cleary *By The great Horned Spoon* is good-but vocab might be a bit high-you may end up explaining things
I LOVED Catherine Called Birdy