25 amazing Children’s Books About the American Civil War. Fictional stories, nonfiction pieces of history – for young readers to know about the important American history. Kids will learn about the Confederate, and Union armies, contraband, courageous escapes from slavery, the underground railroad, and more.
25 Best Children’s Books About Civil War
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Here is a great collection of civil war books for kids. The picture books provide good civil war introductions to elementary kids. Chapter books are suitable for 4th graders and above.
Table of contents
Picture Books About The Civil War
The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale
Read the civil war story set in July 1863, in Gettysburg. 11-year-old Gabe is a bugler in the Union. One day he makes friends with a boy from the other side. Suddenly, the line of duty for the country, friendship, begins to blur. The illustrations are extraordinary.
Age: 6-9 years | A civil war fictional tale of two young boys
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad
Teach elementary kids about the concept of “abolition”. Young Henry was born a slave. He was sold in the slave market with his family as a young man. Finally, Henry devises a plan to escape, that involves mailing himself using a crater.
Age: 5-9 years | Picture book about slavery for elementary kids
Friends for Freedom: The Story of Susan B. Anthony & Frederick Douglass
Read the historical tale of two pioneers of civil rights – Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. They belonged to completely different backgrounds. Through their 45 years of friendship, they worked tirelessly against slavery and equality.
Age: 6-9 years | Nonfictional tale of fighting for equality
Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass
Young Fredrick escaped slavery through the power of reading. The story starts with the deplorable life of slaves, as Fredrick recounts, even worse than animals. The riveting story narrates how years later using his knowledge as power, Fedrick succeeds to escape. He became famous for his fight against slavery.
Age: 6-11 years | A pictorial biography of a prominent abolitionist
The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom
Young Hannah and her father escape from the Georgia plantation to the north on the Underground Railroad. A quilt sewn by her mother shows the escape route they must take. This fictional tale is a journey to freedom narrated from a kid’s view.
Age: 6-9 years | An escape story along the Underground Railroad
Under the Freedom Tree
A well-researched historic narration of the first contraband of America. 3 American slaves escaped the Confederate line to the Union. The Union declared the slaves as contraband of war and gave them protection and dignity. Many more slaves followed and established the first African American community.
Age: 6-9 years | Historical story of Contrabands and Emancipation Oak
The Monitor: Civil War Battleship
The Monitor was a pretty advanced warship. Unfortunately, it sank in a storm. Read about the futuristic design and exciting excavation of the ship after 140 years. Ideal for kids in 2nd-3rd grade.
Age: 6-9 years | An informative book about the civil war and battleships
The History of the Civil War
A visual timeline of the civil war history for kids. Starting with slavery from the pre-Civil war era, to the end of slavery and the Civil rights movements – the book takes readers through all important milestones. Don’t miss out on the glossary of important civil war terminologies.
Age: 6-9 years | Introduce kids to the background of the civil war
If You Were a Kid During the Civil War
Two friends find a wounded soldier during the civil war. Should they help the enemy? Eventually, humanity takes over. Also included are many graphical details about slavery.
Age: 7-9 years | An enjoyable reading of civil war history
From Slave to Soldier: Based on a True Civil War Story
Young Johny, a slave, decides to join the Union army. There Johny rises above his inhibition and leaves a mark on his line of duty.
Age: 6-8 years | A positive feel-good civil war story.
Explore Colonial America!: 25 Great Projects, Activities, Experiments
How was life in colonial America? How did the colonist population mix with Native Americans? Kids get to learn about important history while doing engaging hands-on activities. 4th & 5th graders can follow the instructions easily.
Age: 6-10 years | America’s early settlement history
Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky
A fictional tale based on how slaves made their way to the North for freedom. The narrative is simple enough for young kids to understand easily. This colorful pictorial account makes of great resource for young kids to be introduced to the topic.
Age: 3-7 years | The story of the great underground railroad that helped 130 thousand slaves escape
Civil War Books For Middle school
Civil War
Teach your middle graders about the history of the Civil war. Photographs, facts boxes, and simple narration make kids understand the topics easily. There is also Q&A, glossary, and timeline
Age: 8-12 years | Civil War history for 4th graders and above
John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy
Based on the true story of 9-year-old John, who was the youngest person to serve in the war. As a drummer boy, he witnessed the brutalities and horror of the war firsthand. John was taken a prisoner and eventually released.
Age: 8-12 years | Inspiring civil-war read for elementary kids
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Civil War Soldier!
Kids can take a part in the civil war through this interactive book. The illustrations are humorous with short descriptions. Also check the helpful facts, Civil War timeline, the role of women in the Civil War, and more.
Age: 8-12 years | Engaging Civil war reading for middle graders
Top Secret Files: The Civil War, Spies, Secret Missions, and Hidden Facts From the Civil War
Read about little-known incidents of the Civil war. A side of the war, not found in history books. Kids will enjoy projects that enhance learning. With plenty of graphics, information sidebars, and pictures – this book makes history interesting.
Age: 9-13 years | Lesser-known Civil war tales
Like a Bird: The Art of the American Slave Song
13 songs of enslaved African Americans depicting their troublesome life, hopes, and dreams of freedom. The artwork enhances the mention beautifully.
Age: 8-12 years | Powerful songs of the human spirit
What Was the Battle of Gettysburg
Read about the battle that created a turning point in history. How did the Union stop the winning streak of the South? The chapters and small and easy to read.
Age: 8-11 years | An intense tale of an important Civil war battle
Spies in the Civil War for Kids
Read the exciting stories of the men and women who fought out of the field. Kids will learn about famous spies, sophisticated networks, tools, advanced gadgets, and encrypted messages. An engaging book about how these factors shaped the battle for both Confederate and Union forces.
Age: 8-12 years | Fun civil war read for middle graders
The Civil War: The Struggle that Divided America
The war divided the South and North along the line of slavery or freedom. A narration of how the seed of freedom was sowed in today’s America. There are many great points of discussion – the start of the war, military tactics used, loss of lives, etc. The sidebars provide additional insights.
Age: 10-15 years | A freedom battle that shook America
Who Was Clara Barton?
Read about the brave humanitarian who founded the American Red Cross. Clara Barton was the first woman to hold a government job. She served on the frontline of the Union Army as a nurse.
Age: 8-12 years | Inspiring biography
The Civil War: An Interactive History Adventure
Choose your history book for middle graders that makes learning about history fun. Kids get to choose different sides in the civil war battle that takes them into a real part of history. Follow up with a discussion about slavery with kids.
Age: 9-12 years | Interactive history book
Civil War Leaders
A book about the notable and famous people who steered the course of the war. Get s glimpse of life in the 1800s.
Age: 8-12 years | Additional middle grade read about the civil war
Harriet Tubman, Secret Agent
Deep dive into the undercover world of the African American spies in the Civil war. The well-researched book unearths important historical pieces from military archives, spy memoirs, etc.
Age: 10-14 years | Biography of a great Civil war spy
The American Civil War
Read the heroic tales of spies, soldiers, and many unknown. History lovers would enjoy reading the lesser-known stories of the war. The graphical format makes learning history fun for reluctant readers.
Age: 8-12 years | Fun graphical civil war novel
