Victorian Era Books

Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819, and began her reign in 1837 at 18 years of age. Her reign, known as the Victorian era, lasted for 63 years and seven months, making her the second-longest reigning British monarch, surpassed only by Queen Elizabeth II.

In the Days of Queen Victoria, by Eva March Tappan, will take your younger readers (8+) on an engaging journey through the life and reign of one of Britain’s most iconic monarchs. Consider purchasing the In the Day of Bundle to explore other British monarchs.

Assign your older readers (13+) to explore social class and the strict social hierarchies that the Victorian Era (1837-1901) is known for through the life of Pip, an orphan who rises from humble beginnings in the classic Dickens novel, Great Expectations. While the themes and language are complex, the book is accessible to young teens with advanced reading skills. Its depth will also be fully appreciated by older teens and adults.

(*The Ignatius Critical Editions of the great works of Western civilization enable readers to enjoy classics such as Great Expectations in the company of some of the finest literature professors.)

Another incredible classic that will give your students a sense of the social injustice that often characterized the Victorian Era is Tess of the d’Urbervilles. It’s a novel that you may want to hold off on until your students are closer to 16 due to some mature, albeit not graphic, sexual content. In the beautiful cloth covered edition that we carry, bestselling author, literature professor, and avid reader Karen Swallow Prior will guide your students through the story, helping them read this classic in light of the gospel.

Bring history to life by enriching history studies with great novels.