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History Odyssey: Middle Ages Level 2 Study Guide

The following books must be obtained apart from the History Odyssey Middle Ages Level 2 Study Guide. You may use any version, eBook, or print edition of these books. This list includes both the required books and also alternate options (see the note **).

Disclosure: This list contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of the links, Pandia Press receives a small commission at no cost to you.

Main Reference Spine: The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia (1999 or newer edition)

Optional Additional Reference Spine: The Story of Mankind * by Hendrik Willem Van Loon (optional) There is a free eBook edition of TSOM available at: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/754.

Alternate or additional Reference Spine: History Quest: Middle Times by Linsdey Sodano. History Quest, created for young children as a read-aloud, is appropriate for middle school students as an independent read.

The History Odyssey Timeline from Pandia Press (or a homemade timeline)

Other Required and Alternate/Additional Books:

The Usborne Internet-Linked Viking World

One Thousand and One Arabian Nights retold by Geraldine McCaughrean

Alternate/Additional: Tales from the Arabian Nights by Donna Jo Napoli and Christina Balit. An illustration-heavy book that might be attractive to students on the younger end of this age group or for those who love a lot of artwork in their books.

Alternate/Additional: The Arabian Nights by Kate Doublas Wiggin and Nora A. Smith. Another collection that is beautifully illustrated by Maxfield Parrish with more sophisticated text.

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli

Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb

A Shakespeare Coloring Book from Bellerophon Books

Beowulf, A New Telling by Robert Nye

Alternate/Additional: Beowulf: An Illustrated Edition, translated by Seamus Heaney. For older students who might appreciate the poetic cadence of Beowulf, I recommend the illustrated edition of Seamus Heaney's translation. It's the closest to reading this epic poem without learning Old English and contains photos of period artifacts.

The Story of King Arthur and His Knights by Howard Pyle

Alternate/Additional: King Arthur by Sidney Lanier. Another great option, this book has color illustrations by N.C. Wyeth.

The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green

Castle by David Macaulay

Alternate/Additional: Mosque and Cathedral David Macaulay can be read in addition to Castle.

Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray

Alternate/Additional: The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman. A classic that follows a teen girl as she becomes an apprentice to a midwife.  This book is a female-centered alternative option to Adam of the Road.

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, retold by Geraldine McCaughrean

Tales from Japan retold by Helen & William McAlpine

The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly

Additional books that could be added to Middle Ages Level Two

Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett

Feathered Serpent Dark Heart of Sky: Myths of Mexico by David Bowles

Before Columbus: The Americas Before 1491 by Charles Mann. Older or more advanced readers can read the original, 1491, also by Charles Mann.

**A note from Samantha Matalone Cook, who has created our alternate/additional book list for History Odyssey: Middle Ages Level 2:

*The Story of Mankind: Due to the polarizing nature of The Story of Mankind by Hendrick Van Loon, it is optional reading in this level two course. It should be considered a possible resource for gathering information. If students choose not to read TSOM, they might need to seek out other resources on the Internet or at a library in order to complete some of the lessons.

Layout of a medieval abby or monastery: https://www.timeref.com/life/abbey5.htm

Layout/floorplan of a monastery or abbey: http://www.photographers-resource.co.uk/A_heritage/Abbeys/Monastery_layout.htm

Lyrics to “Good King Wenceslas”:  https://www.carols.org.uk/good_king_wenceslas.htm

For assistance in completing the Elements of an Epic worksheet: https://penlighten.com/epic-poetry-characteristics-elements-examples

TedEd lesson about different kinds of heroes in stories: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-host-of-heroes-april-gudenrath

History Channel show “The Epic Legend of Beowulf” (there are depictions of violence in this video, which makes sense, because it is Beowulf): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyNBTRvHGuk

Crash Course Literature- Macbeth (2 parts):

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPYOs0EGgJk

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zdkun4xzOs

TedEd lesson about Macbeth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD5goS69LT4

Stage version of Macbeth from the Folger Theatre in two parts: 

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OU0cuGuPSk

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLc3w-yp3wk

BBC Bitesize - Vikings: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/ztyr9j6

Jorvik Viking Center: www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/vikings1.htm

Information about the Viking king Knut: www.viking.no/e/people/e-knud.htm

Viking timeline: http://www.softschools.com/timelines/the_viking_age_timeline/351/

https://mapcollection.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/viking-exploration-routes-700-941-ad/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vikings-Voyages.png

https://regia.org/research/village/village.htm

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/village.html#thumb5

https://prezi.com/-io9d14oq_yn/viking-farming-practices/

https://www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk/the-vikings/#ah8gOZkwHChUZtz1.97

http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/manufacturing/text/norse_ships.htm

http://www.legendsandchronicles.com/ancient-warriors/viking-warriors/

https://gridclub.com/activities/vikings

https://avaldsnes.info/en/viking/subpage/

Map of Viking voyages and routes: https://www.thinglink.com/scene/687237030756745216

http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/mythology/myths/text/myths.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/vikings/religion_01.shtml

http://www.lore-and-saga.co.uk/html/viking_burials.html

https://regia.org/research/history/norm1.htm

This wikipedia page includes an area to scroll through an image of the entire Bayeux Tapestry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_Tapestry

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/normans/

http://totallyhistory.com/william-the-conqueror/

A video on becoming a knight: http://www.medievalchronicles.com/medieval-knights/becoming-a-knight/ 

http://www.lordsandladies.org/knights-code-of-chivalry.htm

https://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/First_Crusade

https://www.ancient.eu/Third_Crusade/

http://www.ireland-information.com/articles/brianboru.htm

http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-england/medieval-jobs.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JaxlCjuzqE

https://prezi.com/upe2niacioud/top-five-worst-medieval-jobs/

http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/varangians.shtml

http://www.viking.no/e/maps/ekart-osteuropa.htm

https://www.nndb.com/people/916/000092640/

https://www.ducksters.com/history/islam/suleiman.php

Pictures the tughra (signature) of Sϋleyman: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/sisterwendy/works/tug.html

http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/

http://www.allempires.com/article/index.php?q=The_Mongol_Empire

Helpful information for writing haiku:

https://writingcooperative.com/how-to-write-haiku-fa5fe7792661

https://www.poetry4kids.com/lessons/how-to-write-a-haiku/

History of the Anasazi: https://historytogo.utah.gov/anasazi/

Mississippians- the mound builders of North America: https://www.thoughtco.com/mississippian-culture-moundbuilder-171721

Middle Mississippians: https://www.mpm.edu/research-collections/anthropology/online-collections-research/aztalan-collection/middle

First Nations of Canada overview: https://www.500nations.com/Canada_Tribes.asp

Canada's First Peoples: http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/index.html

Native People of the Arctic and Subarctic, National Geographic for Kids: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/native-americans/native-people-of-the-arctic-and-subarctic/

Ancestral Puebloan: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/swscience/ancestral-puebloan.htm

Beautiful video of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNIEZ61PyG0

Ancient Ghana Empire - https://themedievalages.weebly.com/africa-ancient-ghana.html

The Met Museum - Trans-Saharan Gold Trade (7th-14th century) - https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/gold/hd_gold.htm

Ancient Africa- Empire of Ancient Ghana - https://www.ducksters.com/history/africa/empire_of_ancient_ghana.php

Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, Three of the Greatest Western African Trading States - https://about-history.com/ghana-mali-and-songhai-three-of-the-greatest-western-african-trading-states/

Map activity from PBS about the history of Africa through maps.  This includes the empires of Ghana, Mali, and the Songhai Empires so is valuable for this and the following lessons. It shows trade routes during the 4th -16th centuries in the Subsaharan region along with showing the changes in borders by 1914 and then beyond. https://wgvu.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/social-studies-236-mbe-r1-grades-6-12/a-history-of-africa-through-maps/

The PBS 6-part documentary called Africa's Great Civilizations is excellent.  The 3rd episode (Empires of Gold) especially has great information about the Middle Ages in Africa. It is available for streaming on the PBS site (with a PBS streaming passport, which does have a cost). It may also be available for free on YouTube. Highly recommend the whole series. https://www.pbs.org/video/africas-great-civilizations-empires-gold-hour-three/

A brief History of Mali: https://www.thoughtco.com/brief-history-of-mali-44272

The History of the Mali Empire : https://about-history.com/the-history-of-the-mali-empire/

The Empire of Mali (1230-1600): https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/empire-mali-1230-1600

The Empire of Mali: The Twang of a Bow - Extra History - Video of Ghana/Mali history including Sundiata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkayShPilkw

Mansa Musa, one of the wealthiest people who ever lived TEDEd video :https://ed.ted.com/lessons/mansa-musa-one-of-the-wealthiest-people-who-ever-lived-jessica-smith

The Hidden Treasures of Timbuktu TEDEd video:https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-hidden-treasures-of-timbuktu-elizabeth-cox

Prester John: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prester_John

Prester John : https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/prester-john-0014099

The Imaginary King (Prester John) who changed the real world TEDEd video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJKqtoAcutA

Stories about Benin legend- The Voodoo priests, kings, and ghosts of Benin: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/benins-voodoo

The Kingdom of Benin: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/kingdom-benin/

History of Benin: https://africa.si.edu/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/alonge/history-of-benin/

Who built Great Zimbabwe? and why? TEDEd video: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/who-built-great-zimbabwe-and-why-breeanna-elliott

The Songhay Empire PBS activity: https://wgvu.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/social-studies-168-ws2-r1-grades-6-12/the-songhay-empire-analysis-activity/

Songhai Empire: https://www.ancient.eu/Songhai_Empire/

Songhai, African Empire 15th -16th century: https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/songhai-african-empire-15-16th-century

Songhai Empire: https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/songhai-empire-ca-1375-1591/

Information on Henry’s six wives: https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/sixwives/

This wonderful site has primary source information from the Tudors, including letters written by the six wives, Anne Boleyn’s speech at her execution, and other documents: https://englishhistory.net/

Recommended Resources

Europe in the Middle Ages

Grendal by John Gardner - The Beowulf epic from Grendal's point of view.

The Shining Company by Rosemary Sutcliff - Historic fiction. 7th century Britain's battle with the invading Saxons.

Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman

DK Eyewitness Book: Medieval Life by Andrew Langley

Life on a Medieval Pilgrimage by Don Nardo

Dove and Sword: A Novel of Joan of Arc by Nancy Garden

El Cid by Geraldine McCaughrean

Medieval England by Katherine Hinds

Outrageous Women in the Middle Ages by Vicki Leaon

Men of Iron by Howard Pyle. Historic fiction. A young boy trains to be a knight in 15th century England.

Tales of the Norse Gods by Barbara Leonie Picard

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Twelve Bright Trumpets by Margaret Leighton Twelve historic fiction stories that span the Middle Ages from the fall of Rome to the fall of Venice.

The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow by Allen French

The Red Keep by Allen French - Historic fiction. 13th century Europe during the 2nd crusade.

The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliff - Historic fiction. The last Roman Auxiliaries are leaving Britain but one young legionnaire stays behind.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hidden Treasure of Galston by Eleanore M. Jewett

Sword Song by Rosemary Sutcliff - Historic fiction. A young Viking swordsman is banished from his home.

The Gauntlet by Ronald Welch - Peter travels back in time to 14th century Europe during the time of castles, hawking, and battles.

Jackdaw Portfolios: The Black Death

Jackdaw Portfolios: 1066

Joan of Arc: The Teenager Who Saved her Nation by Philip Wilkinson

Asia

Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett

The Emperor's Winding Sheet by Jill Paton Walsh - Historic fiction. The story of the fall of Constantinople and the end of the Byzantine Empire.

Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam by Diane Stanley - Beautifully illustrated book about the crusades form a Muslim point of view.

Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire by Miriam Greenblatt

Ivan the Terrible by Thomas Butson

Sword of the Samurai: Adventure Stories from Japan by Eric Kimmel

Jackdaw Portfolios: Byzantine Empire

Marco Polo for Kids by Janis Herbert - An informative activity book.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park - Historic fiction. A look at a craftsman's colony from Medieval Korea.

The Americas

Before Columbus: The Americas Before 1491 by Charles Mann

Mesoamerican Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Maya Mythology, Aztec Mythology, Inca Mythology, and Central American Myths by Matt Clayton

DK Eyewitness Books: Aztec, Inca, & Maya: Discover the World of the Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas- their beliefs, rituals, and civilizations by DK

Jackdaw Portfolios: Incas: A Cultural History

The Aztec News by Philip Steele ed.

Africa

The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay: Life in Medieval Africa by Patricia and Frederick McKissack

Great Zimbabwe by Mark Bessire

The Kingdom of Benin in West Africa by Heather Milar

Sundiata: Lion King of Mali by David Wisniewski - For a slightly younger target age but full of beautiful illustrations.

Mansa Musa and the Empire of Mali by P. James Oliver

Europe in the Renaissance

Beware, Princess Elizabeth by Carolyn Meyer - Part of the Young Royals series. Tells the story of Elizabeth Tudor in her teenage years.

Doomed Queen Anne by Carolyn Meyer - Part of the Young Royals series

Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer - Part of the Young Royals series

Patience, Princess Catherine by Carolyn Meyer- Part of the Young Royals series

Elizabeth I, Red Rose of the House of Tudor by Katheryn Lasky - Part of the Royal Diary Series

Mary, Queen of Scots, Queen Without a Country by Katheryn Lasky - Part of the Royal Diary Series

Queen's Own Fool, A Novel of Mary Queen of Scots by Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris

Fine Print: A Story About Johann Gutenberg by Joann Johansen

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