World History Reading List
Present Era
This section of the Reading List starts with good books on famous Musicians from the 1700 – 1800s, followed by a chronological list of other reading choices from 1700 – 1750.
World History Books: 1700s-1800s — Musicians
Beethoven Lives Upstairs by Barbara Nichol, illust. Scott Cameron. Orchard Books, 1993. E-UE
Set in 1822, this advanced picture book describes the eccentric
composer and his music from a 10-year-old boy’s point of view. Well
done. Audio tape also available: Beethoven Lives Upstairs
Famous Children series: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Haydn, Handel, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Tchaikovsky by Ann Rachlin, illus. Susan Hellard. Alladin Books Ltd.. K-E
The large type and amusing illustrations accompany the stories, which
include down-to-earth events in the musician’s childhood thru adulthood,
and explain the reasons for his fame.
Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Composers series: Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Brahms, Frederic Chopin, George Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Peter Tchaikovsky by Mike Venezia. Childrens Press. E-UE
Sprinkled in with portraits and realistic pictures are the author’s
cartoon-styled illustrations to add a touch of humor. Stories are told
in conversational style. The series also includes later musicians not
listed here.
Sebastian: A Book about Bach, by Jeanette Winter. Harcourt Brace & Co., 1999. K-E
An enchanting story decorated with whimsical paintings. Includes historical detail, yet keeps it simple.
World History Books: 1700-1709
Peter the Great by Diane Stanley. Macmillan Pub. Co., 1996. E-UE+
This biography with its rich color illustrations has the charm of a
well-told story and the educational backbone of meticulous research.
Stone Soup by Marcia Brown. Atheneum Books, 1947. K-E
Caldecott Honor. The historicity of this delightful French folktale
lies in the picture of a peasant’s life in Europe, although the exact
date and place are not mentioned. A favorite for many children!
The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman, ill. Peter Sis. Troll Assoc., 1986. E-UE
Newbery Medal. Fiction, loosely based on the privilege of royalty —
princes had whipping boys who took their punishments for them when they
misbehaved. Set in the 1700’s .
World History Books: 1740s
The Chimney Sweep’s Ransom (Trailblazer Books) by Dave & Neta Jackson. E-JH
Christian historical fiction based on John Wesley.
John Wesley by May McNeer & Lynd Ward. Abingdon Press, 1951. UE+
World History Books: 1750s
Flame-Colored Taffeta by Rosemary Sutcliffe. JH-HS
Adventure story based on Bonnie Prince Charlie’s attempt to gain England’s throne.
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