Ready for a blast from the past? Whether I want to better understand how our world came to be or am looking to be transported to another place and time, historical fiction always helps scratch the itch. Spanning from spy thrillers set during the Revolutionary War to detective stories from the 1930s, the genre has something for everyone. Here are some of my favorite middle grade and YA historical fiction audiobooks that tweens and teens are sure to love!
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Max in the Land of Lies
In this sequel to bestselling author Adam Gidwitz’s Max in the House of Spies, teen refugee turned British spy Max Bretzfeld is back in Berlin. In this World War II-focused historical thriller, the radio wunderkind has completed his training and is ready to take on his missions — official and unofficial. Officially, Max has been tasked with infiltrating the heart of Nazi radio and propaganda known as the Funkhaus. Unofficially, Max is investigating the whereabouts of his missing parents. With everything on the line and danger around every corner, Max must rely on his wits and skills to uncover the truth.
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The Bletchley Riddle
This middle grade historical adventure — read by a full cast — is a collaboration between two award-winning and bestselling authors: Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin. The Bletchley Riddle follows 19-year-old Jakob Novis and his 14-year-old sister Lizzie as they attempt to solve a very personal mystery. Surrounded by a team of Britain’s best codebreakers at Bletchley Park, Jakob and Lizzie find themselves wrapped up in the search for their missing mother. Could her disappearance and one of the biggest mysteries of World War II be connected? There’s only one way to find out.
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Phoebe the Spy
Do you enjoy stories about the secret spies of the American Revolution? Judith Berry Griffin’s Phoebe the Spy tells the story of Phoebe Fraunces, George Washington’s housekeeper-turned-spy. Tasked by her father with keeping the revolutionary leader safe, Phoebe’s skills are put to the test in this race against Washington’s would-be assassins! Read by the author, this audiobook is perfect for history lovers who want a closer look at the Revolutionary War.
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Buffalo Dreamer
Violet Duncan’s Buffalo Dreamer is unique among the titles on this list because of its mix of storytelling in both the past and present! Set in modern-day Alberta, a young Native girl named Summer begins to have vivid dreams of escaping one of the many real-life residential schools that tore Native children from their families. Summer will have to embrace her family's dark past if she wants a more hopeful future for herself. Kirkus calls this audiobook “essential reading for all young people!”
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Stealing Freedom
In this fictionalized account of a true story, author Elisa Carbone recounts the incredible life of Ann Maria Weems. After being separated from her family, 12-year-old Ann must escape her master’s plantation. After a white man risks his life to help her, cutting her hair short and dressing her like a boy, Ann finds herself on a perilous journey along the Underground Railroad to Canada and freedom.
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Amil and the After
From the award-winning author of The Night Diary comes a story of joy, tragedy, and how to hold onto hope in a chaotic world. Veera Hiranandani’s Amil and the After follows a young boy and his family as they try to navigate life in a newly independent India. With a family of mixed Hindu and Muslim heritage, a hometown in what is now Pakistan, and a new life awaiting him in Bombay, Amil must learn to make sense of himself and his newly reborn nation. Read by Sid Sagar — with an author’s note read by Veera Hiranandani — Amil and the After is a beautiful piece of historical fiction that you won’t want to miss.
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The Enemy's Daughter
In this historical adventure, Marta, a young German girl, finds herself stranded in Ireland after the sinking of the Lusitania. She's desperate to get home, but will her new friends help her if they learn she comes from the very nation they're at war with? It's a touching story about the power of friendship that's perfect for young listeners.
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Kill Her Twice
A YA noir murder-mystery? Yes please! In Stacey Lee’s Kill Her Twice, sisters May, Gemma, and Peony Chow uncover the shocking murder of rising star Lulu Wang. In order to bring her killer to justice, the girls will trek across 1930s Los Angeles — from Chinatown to Beverly Hills and beyond — and stop at nothing to crack the case. Told brilliantly by Jennie Kwan and Eunice Wong, Kill Her Twice is the perfect listen for those who like their historical fiction with a dash of mystery.
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The Davenports
This instant New York Times bestseller tells the story of one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in the early 20th century. The year is 1910 and the Davenport sisters — the beautiful, older Olivia and the hardworking, younger Helen — are doing their best to find their way in life. Surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, and endless parties, the Davenports and their friends will have to contend with love, heartbreak, and the courage needed to steer their own path in life in this fun and moving historical fiction audiobook.
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Last Night at the Telegraph Club
From Malindo Lo — the acclaimed author of Ash — comes a personal novel about one teenager’s love and duty in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Set in the 1950s, Chinese Americans like 17-year-old Lily face danger and deportation amidst the height of the Red Scare. She'll risk everything to be with the one she loves — Kathleen Miller, a girl she met outside the lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. A powerful and personal story that feels more relevant than ever, listeners won’t want to miss Last Night at the Telegraph Club.
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