500 CE – 1492 CE (years 4,260 – 5,252 on the Jewish calendar)
This page provides an overview of book options for History and Literature for both Jewish and Secular studies. The Jewish studies on this page provide only an overview of Jewish history and Jewish texts written during this time. For a more in depth study of Jewish texts please see our separate page for textual study.
- For a Pre-Planned Guide, please see Ani VeAmi Curriculum Guide: Geonim and Rishonim, which is broken down into monthly and weekly units including copywork, maps, literature, music, and art.
- For a Custom Plan to fit your family’s needs, please see the Ani VeAmi Planning Guides.
- For private Consultations specific to Ani VeAmi, please contact us.
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History
| Jewish History | Secular History |
| Elementary: Sand And Stars, Volume 1  by Yaffa Ganz and Rabbi Berel WeinUnderstanding Jewish History, Volume 1  by Sol ScharfsteinMiddle grades: The Geonim: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/115539/jewish/The-Age-of-Scholarship.htm The Rishonim: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/115536/jewish/The-Rishonim.htm High school: The era of the Rishonim: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2616992/jewish/The-Era-of-the-Rishonim.htm | Note: It was imperative to choose history selections that represented both the West and the East as Jewish history is very much tied to both. Susan Wise Bauer was the only narrative author of history that we felt met this criteria and also represented a secular view of history. Some families may wish to skip certain sections depending on the ages and needs of their families. Elementary/Middle Grades The Story of the World, Volume 2: The Middle Ages by Susan Wise Bauer (chapter 6 thru 30) The Story of the World, Activity Book 2: The Middle Ages by Susan Wise Bauer High School/College The History of the Medieval World by Susan Wise Bauer (chapters 27 thru 85) Study and Teaching Guide: The History of the Medieval World The History of the Renaissance World by Susan Wise Bauer Study and Teaching Guide: The History of the Renaissance World |
Literature
While this list represents the best stories from this specific time period, you will likely need to add more literature selections from our Jewish Reading List and our Secular Reading List as your children/family have time.
Additional Resources
| Jewish Resources | Secular Resources |
| Audiovisual Rashi: A Light After the Dark Ages Rambam: The Story of Maimonides House of Rashi: Rashi, the Baalei Tosfos, and Their Descendants by Rabbi Berel Wein Books The Shul Boy by Rabbi Meir Uri Gottesman The Betrayal by M. Kenan The Outcast by M. Kenan The Dark Secrets by M. Kenan Code One by Yitzchak Goldman Debating Truth: The Barcelona Disputation of 1263, A Graphic History by Nina Caputo The Koren Bird’s Head Haggada: A Hebrew/English Pop-Up Passover Haggada | Audiovisual Books The Man Who Counted: A Collection of Mathematical Adventures by Malba Tahan The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz It’s a Feudal, Feudal World: A Different Medieval History by Simon Shapiro Redwall series by Brian Jacques The Knight at Dawn (Magic Tree House, No. 2) by Mary Pope Osborne |
*Also available as an audiobook from A Maggid’s Market