Homeschool Literature List Through History

The Windeby Puzzle: History and Story

by Lois Lowry 224 pgs 5-6th grade

Goodreads 3.53 / 5 Stars from 2,372 ratings & 457 reviews (July 2026)

I'm really excited to dig into this one. Since it's based on an actual artifact, I love that Lois Lowry created a fictional (but well reviewed) story around it!

Motel of the Mysteries

In 4022, amateur archeologist Howard Carson unearths a sealed motel room and misreads 1980s America as a lost civilization

by David Macaulay 96 pgs  5th-9th grades

 4.6 out of 5 stars  (875 Reviews) or 4.1 on Goodreads 2,712 ratings

It's supposed to be pretty funny and opens the door to histiography (how we study history, if that study can be objective, and what biases we bring to it) so is a great way to kick of the year in deep discussion without being too scientific.

Your Mother Was a Neanderthal #4 (Time Warp Trio)

by Jon Scieszka 80 pgs 3rd grade

Goodreads 3.71 from 1,000 ratings & 59 reviews  (July 2026)

This one is definately an easy read for younger grades. Almost more joke book than literature through history. However, a great one to try.

Once Upon a Time Long, Long Ago

by Henry Shykoff 124 pgs 4th grade

Goodreads 4.33 from 12 ratings & 1 review

Although this looks like a good story, it has a minuscule amount of reviews. It also has the possibility of being poor science, poor worldview, poorly written, etc.