An Honest History Odyssey Review for Homeschoolers

A History Odyssey review feels a bit overdue for us, because history has always been one of the subjects my son and I genuinely enjoy working through together.

When we started looking for a secular program that offered solid structure, meaningful reading, and space for independent work, History Odyssey quickly stood out.

We’ve now been using the Middle Ages level long enough to see how it fits into real homeschool life, what flows, what takes more time than expected, and why it’s been a good match for a middle-grade learner.

If you’re trying to decide whether this program will work for your family, here’s how it’s looked day-to-day in our home.

Middle school student sitting at a table working on a History Odyssey lesson, with the curriculum binder and a history reference book open in front of him.

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Table of Contents

What Is History Odyssey?

History Odyssey is a secular, literature-based history curriculum from Pandia Press, written for middle-grade students who enjoy reading, hands-on mapping, and working through history in a chronological way.

We chose the Middle Ages level for seventh grade because my son prefers a mix of independent reading and structured assignments, and this program gives him both.

It’s flexible enough to stretch or shorten depending on how quickly your child moves through the readings, but it still provides enough guidance to feel organized without being overwhelming.

Completed History Odyssey Middle Ages mapwork showing student-colored maps of Charlemagne’s empire, Barbarian invasions, and regions of medieval Europe.

What the Middle Ages Curriculum Includes

The Middle Ages level is divided into five main units: Europe in the Middle Ages, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Europe in the Renaissance.

Each unit follows the same structure. Short summaries, readings, timeline work, map activities, and a mix of worksheets that reinforce key people, events, and ideas.

The worksheets and maps are honestly one of the strongest parts of the program. There are fourteen worksheets and twenty-nine maps included, and they break up the reading in a way that keeps the lessons from feeling repetitive.

My son likes that there’s something hands-on most days, and I appreciate that everything is already organized for me.

History Odyssey Middle Ages Level Two binder with the literature-based study guide cover showing history, geography, and writing components.

Required Books

This level does rely on a good amount of reading, and you’ll need a stack of books to go with the lessons.

The only one I’d call truly essential to buy is the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, you’ll use it constantly.

The rest can be borrowed from the library if you prefer, though we chose to buy them because my son enjoys keeping the literature selections.

The reading list includes titles like The Usborne Internet-Linked Viking World, Arabian Nights, The Door in the Wall, Beowulf, Castle by David Macaulay, Robin Hood, Adam of the Road, and a few others.

There’s also an optional timeline you can purchase, but we made our own and added it to a binder, which worked just as well.

Stack of Middle Ages literature and reference books used with the History Odyssey curriculum, including King Arthur, Adam of the Road, Beowulf, and the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia.

Our History Odyssey Review

What Worked Well

After a couple of months, the structure has been a really good fit. The mix of reading, mapping, and short written assignments keeps the pace steady, and the book selections are genuinely strong.

My son likes that the work is predictable but not boring, and I like that he can handle most of it independently once he knows the routine.

This is also the second Pandia Press program we’ve used. My son enjoyed their Real Science Odyssey curriculum too.

What Didn’t Work for Us

The reading load is heavier than expected, especially when he already has English and free-reading lined up.

The program is technically designed for the books to be supplemental, but that didn’t make sense for us, he wanted to read everything. Because of that, finishing it in a single school year feels unrealistic.

We’re pacing it over roughly eighteen months, which works better for our schedule.

Middle school student working on a History Odyssey Middle Ages lesson with the curriculum binder and a history encyclopedia open on the table.

Cost of History Odyssey

The curriculum itself is reasonably priced, the main additional cost is the book list, which can add up if you prefer to own everything rather than borrow.

At the very least, I recommend purchasing the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, since it’s used throughout the entire course.

Pandia Press also offers try-before-you-buy samples, which is helpful if you want to preview the layout and pacing before committing.

Final Thoughts

History Odyssey has been a solid fit for our homeschool, structured without being rigid, rich in literature, and easy to adapt to a slower or faster pace.

If you’re looking for a secular history program that blends reading, maps, and straightforward assignments, the Middle Ages level is a strong option.

It’s not a light curriculum, especially with the amount of reading, but it’s engaging and thorough in a way that’s been worth the extra time for us.

Last Updated on 2 December 2025 by Clare Brown