The books listed below may be available through publishers, distributors such as bookstores or online retailers, or library systems.

Independent Reading

EASY
A Chinese Zoo: Fables and Proverbs
by Demi. Harcourt Brace, 1987
The retelling of thirteen ancient Chinese fables accompanied by full-color art in the form of a Chinese fan.
Exploring the Past: The Middle Ages
by Catherine Oakes. Harcourt Brace, 1989
A beautifully illustrated, readable account of medieval arts, religion, ways of life, and world views.
Good Queen Bess: The Story of Queen Elizabeth I of England
by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema. MacMillan Publishing, 1990
Exquisitely detailed paintings accompany this thoughtful, well-researched account of Queen Elizabeth I of England.
One Day in Elizabethan England
by G.B. Kirkland. Harcourt Brace, 1962
A vivid, illustrated account of the pageantry of a large Elizabethan household.
Prince Henry the Navigator
by Leonard Everett Fisher. MacMillan Publishing, 1990
The story of Prince Henry of Portugal, whose vision led to the first school of navigation, and whose life works made it possible for explorers to sail across the vast Atlantic Ocean.
AVERAGE
Cathedral
by David Macaulay. Houghton Mifflin, 1973
Detailed diagrams and cross sections illustrate how a gothic cathedral was built in 13th-century France. Caldecott Award winner.
Catherine, Called Birdy
by Karen Cushman. Harper Collins, 1994
Through her diary, 14-year-old Catherine reveals the trials of her life as well as the circumstances of life in medieval England. Newbery Honor winner.
City of Gods: Mexico's Ancient City of Teotihuacán
by Caroline Arnold. Clarion Books, 1994
An insightful and beautifully illustrated account of Teotihuacán, the largest and most important city in Mexico and Central America for more than 800 years.
Enchantment of the World: Ethiopia
by Dennis Brindell Fradin. Childrens Press, 1988
Illustrated chronicle of the history of Ethiopia, with emphasis on the present.
Food and Feasts in the Middle Ages
by Imogen Dawson. Zoe Books Limited, 1994
An account of food preparation and consumption in the Middle Ages with a special section of menus and recipes.
CHALLENGING
Ancient China and Its Influence in Modern Times
by Richard L. Walker. Franklin Watts Ltd., 1969
An overview of ancient China, with special emphasis on history and heritage.
The Aztecs
by Frances Berdan. Chelsea House, 1989
A look at the Aztec civilization from its rise in 1325 to its height in 1519 and its demise after the Spanish conquest.
Ferdinand Magellan: Master Mariner
by Seymour Gates Pond. Random House, 1957
An account of the life of Ferdinand Magellan, the man who named the Pacific Ocean and proved that the world could be circumnavigated.
The Road to Camlann: The Death of King Arthur
by Rosemary Sutcliff. Dutton, 1981
A recreation of the tragic last days of Camelot.
The Road to Damietta
by Scott O'Dell. Houghton Mifflin, 1985
Through the eyes of a young woman, Ricca de Montanaro, the reader sees the slow transformation that occurs within Francis Bernardone, who changes from a reckless young man to St. Francis of Assisi.

Read Aloud and Reference Books

READ ALOUD BOOKS
I, Columbus: My Journal 1492-93
by Peter and Connie Roop. Walker and Co., 1990
Edited passages from the log of Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to the Americas.
Seeds of Time: Selections from Shakespeare
by Bernice Grohskopf. Atheneum, 1963
A sampling of Shakespeare's sonnets introduces young adults to the genius of the Bard.
Tales of a Chinese Grandmother
by Frances Carpenter. Doubleday & Co., Inc., 1937
A collection of Chinese folktales adapted by the author.
REFERENCE BOOKS
Columbus and the Age of Discovery
by Zvi Dor-Ner. William Morrow, 1991
This companion volume to the seven-part PBS series tells the story of Columbus and the world in which he lived.
The Heart of the Dragon
by Alasdair Clayre. Houghton Mifflin, 1985
An exploration of China's peoples, religions, and philosophies enhanced by the stunning illustrations and clear, readable prose. Companion volume to the twelve-part PBS television series.
A History of the Ottoman Empire
by V.J. Parry. Cambridge University Press, 1976
A history that combines text and maps.