12 Great Books Set in the Victorian Period (8-11)

A fascinating hop into history!

The Victorian era still has a huge appeal for writers and readers alike. Historical children’s fiction writer, Barbara Henderson, author of Punch and Fir for Luck, picks her favourite children’s books set in the 19th Century.

Hetty Feather

1. Hetty Feather

Jacqueline Wilson
Christmas Carol cover

2. A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens
Dodger cover

3. Dodger

Terry Pratchett
The Accidental Time Traveller by Janis Mackay

4. The Accidental Time Traveller

Janis Mackay
Queen Victoria cover

5. Queen Victoria's Christmas

Jackie French, Bruce Whatley
Rose Campion cover

6. Rose Campion and the Stolen Secret

Lyn Gardner
Bathing Machine cover

7. Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine

Gloria Whelan
Victorian Servant cover

8. You Wouldn't Want to be a Victorian Servant

Fiona Macdonald, David Antram (Illus)
Mill Girl cover

9. Mill Girl: A Victorian Girl's Diary, 1842-43

Sue Reid
Gaslight cover

10. Gaslight

Eloise Williams
Street Child cover

11. Street Child

Berlie Doherty
Cogheart cover

12. Cogheart

Peter Bunzl

List created by

Barbara Henderson
Barbara Henderson

Barbara Henderson lives in Inverness where she works as a Drama teacher. She writes Scottish historical fiction for children, with Highland Clearances-tale Fir for Luck already used widely in schools. Her new book, Punch, is a Victorian adventure of a boy on the run, set against in a world of travelling entertainers and dancing bears.

Tags: 8-11, history, historical fiction