Best Historical Fiction Series for 11 and 12 year olds

To read historical fiction is to set foot into a whole new world. You might not be a pro at remembering dates by heart and important treaty names, but the beauty of historical fiction is that you don't have to. These are the books that take us right on the spot to witness life-changing events, show us how people lived in the past and how they may not have been that different to how we are, after all.

From the busy streets of Victorian London to war-ridden stories of love and hope of the 1940s, these books for readers 11 and 12 will take you on a journey back in time to meet inspiring, clever and overall brilliant characters as they fall in love, set up their own businesses and navigate societies that look very different to our own. In addition to this list of series, there are a number of authors who have written some brilliant stand-alone historical fiction novels, so don't forget to check out books by Emma Carroll, Lucy Worsley, Hilary McKay, Ally Sherrick, Alex Wheatle, Helen Peters, Elizabeth Wein, A.M. Howell, Lesley Parr and Tom Palmer.

If you're looking for more recommendations for this age-group, check out our 50 Best Book Series for 11 and 12 year olds.

Georgina Atwell

Toppsta

2025-04-08

2024-11-01

Best Historical Fiction Series for 11 and 12 year olds

Historical Animal Stories Series

Winner of the British Book Award for Children's Fiction Book of the Year, Phil Earle's middle grade Historical Animal Stories series will tug at all your heartstrings. While the books' single stories are not interconnected and do not need to be read in any particular order, they do all share one thing in common: animals. Each book set in one of the world wars, and in each book a young protagonist develops a unique bond with an animal. In When the Sky Falls, a young boy called Joseph befriends a gorilla. In While the Storm Rages, Noah goes on the run to save his dog and as many animals as they can... The books continue, featuring bonds forged forever, and showing just how special our relationships with animals can be, defying even war.

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Rosie Raja Series

This is a thrilling and empowering series set during WW2 for all historical fiction lovers aged 9+, with at its centre a determined and brave Muslim heroine. Spanning across the first years of the 1940s, Rosina Raja, our half-Indian and half-English main character, goes on incredible adventures. Moving from India to England, France and even Egypt, electrifying, codebreaking-filled escapades await on her fantastic journeys. With new allies and new enemies at every turn, she must help her father complete his missions, save amazing historical artefacts from the Nazis and work against double-crossers and resistance fighters. With exciting elements of Michael Morpurgo and Emma Carroll, this is the perfect next read for anyone who loves historical fiction.

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Bletchley Park Mystery Series

Mystery, war and a set of three friends make for a a truly unique middle-grade historical fiction series, set during WW2 and based on true events. Each book in the series follows one of three friends living near Bletchley Park, where twelve-year-old Robyn's father works as a driver. The three friends, Mary, Ned and Robyn each face their own individual challenges as a result of the war, from figuring out what sinister things are happening within the park itself to travelling far away to protect priceless artwork from the hands of enemies. This is a fantastic series to read if you love all things history or particularly enjoyed When the Sky Falls and The Valley of Lost Secrets. All the Bletchley Park Mystery books in order: Book 1: I, Spy: A Bletchley Park Mystery (2023) Book 2: Hide and Seek: A Bletchley Park Mystery (2024) Book 3: Wink, Murder: a Bletchley Park Mystery (2025)...

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Once/Now/Then/After Series

Once by Morris Gleitzman is a powerful series of novels about Felix – a Jewish orphan caught in the middle of the Holocaust. The books tell the story of a family's hope, courage and trauma, from 1942 to the present day, handling the atrocities of WW2 sensitively and with grace. We recommend reading the series in order, or at least starting with Felix’s story in book one.

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The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries Series

One of the things we love most about this middle-grade series is that its bold, brave and adventurous characters are inspired by real Black British historical figures. The books are slightly on the longer side, so possibly a better shout for independent and confident readers. Set in the 1700s, we meet twelve-year-olds Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle. The two girls are from different worlds – Lizzie lives in Westminster in her dad’s tea shop, while Belle is an heiress being brought up by her aunt and uncle at grand Kenwood House – but they both share a love of solving mysteries. Together they uncover murder plots and uncover conspiracies thanks to their amazing sleuthing skills in each book. The many thefts, kidnappings and even poisonings that haunts the twisting London streets don't stand a chance.

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Montague Siblings Series

Bridgerton fans and lovers of historical fiction in general with absolutely love this New York Times bestselling series is set in 18th century Britain. In each book we follow the love life and adventures of one of three siblings, Adrian, Monty and Felicity. Monty is on a Grand Tour of Europe with his best friend/secret crush Percy. Felicity wants to avoid getting proposed to and become a doctor. And Adrian is learning to manage his anxiety whilst in pursuit for some answers that would explain certain family secrets.

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Circus Maximus Series

This is the debut series by Annelise Gray, an adventure story like no other for ages 9+, inspired by none other but Circus Maximus, the greatest sporting stage of the ancient Roman world, where the best horses and charioteers compete in a deadly race! Dido is twelve years old and has one dream and one dream only: to be the first female charioteer at the great Circus Maximus.

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A Sally Lockhart Mystery Series

The Northern Lights and His Dark Materials award-winning author Philip Pullman has also penned this unputtdownable female-led series of detective novels set in Victorian London. The books centre around Sally Lockhart, who is sixteen at the beginning of the series, but grows into adulthood by the end of the quartet. In each book, Sally is on the go: Victorian London is full of secrets, and she's the only one who can uncover them with her detective skills and financial knowledge. And in the third and fourth titles, things get even more complicated as Sally grows into womanhood, falls in love and even has a child of her own.

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More to explore:

Front Lines by Michael Grant (Farshore)

Henderson’s Boys Series by Robert Muchamore (Hachette Children's Books)

Georgina Atwell

Toppsta

2025-04-08

2024-11-01

Best Historical Fiction Series for 11 and 12 year olds