Discover World History in a Way That Connects Students to God’s Redemption Story
The World's Story, Master Books’ award-winning, 3-volume world history curriculum by Angela O’Dell, takes students on a journey through time—beginning with Creation and continuing through the present day. With engaging storytelling, full-color illustrations, and a strong biblical foundation, history comes alive while clearly showing how God’s truth intersects with world events.
Created for students in grades 6–8 (ages 11–14), this flexible, open-and-go series equips parents to teach history with confidence while inspiring students to see the bigger picture of God’s plan throughout the ages.
Whether your family is just stepping into middle school history or looking for a curriculum that goes beyond memorizing dates and names, The World’s Story invites you to discover how biblical history aligns with civilizations, cultures, and events across the globe.
What You'll Love About The World's Story
Tap into every learning modality with full-color books, optional audiobooks, timeline packs, and interactive projects. Your visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners are fully engaged!
The Bible is History. Students discover that God’s Word is the only infallible source and see how biblical history and world history are one connected story—not two separate accounts.
Unique, six-day learning cycle lets your student navigate smoothly through reading, narration, vocabulary, world quests, worldview checks, map adventures, and timelines.
Flexible for Families
Use with one student or multiple students at once for a rich, shared learning experience that will let your family thrive.
Inspired by the Best of Charlotte Mason, The World’s Story balances narrative storytelling with intentional activities that highlight worldview, connect events, and prepare students for modern issues.
Explore the 3-Part Series
Easy for Parents. Captivating for Students.
Take your middle schoolers on a global journey through history with Master Books’ The World’s Story—a 3-volume curriculum that combines narrative-style lessons, full-color illustrations, and a clear biblical perspective to make history both meaningful and memorable.
The World's Story 1
6th-8th Grade / 1 Year
Walk through history from the Genesis Story to the Rise of Ancient Rome.
Traverse the Middle Ages, beginning with the fall of Rome and surveying history from around the world, exploring how God preserved His people and His Word up through the Renaissance period.
- Covers: Creation to the Roman Empire
- Add-ons:
The World's Story 2
6th-8th Grade / 1 Year
Walk through history from the Genesis Story to the Rise of Ancient Rome.
Traverse the Middle Ages, beginning with the fall of Rome and surveying history from around the world, exploring how God preserved His people and His Word up through the Renaissance period.
- Covers: The Fall of Rome through the Renaissance
- Add-ons:
The World's Story 3
6th-8th Grade / 1 Year
Walk through history from the Genesis Story to the Rise of Ancient Rome.
Study the Age of Explorers through the modern day and learn all about the wars, revolutions, and culture changes that defined these times.
- Covers: The Explorers through Present Day
- Add-ons:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use all three volumes, or can I start in the middle?
Each volume of The World’s Story is written as a stand-alone course, so you can begin with any book that matches your student’s grade level or your family’s history plan. For a complete chronological journey from Creation to the present, many families choose to start with Volume 1—but you’re free to jump in where it works best for you.
How and When Do I Use the Timeline Pack?
Great question! There are so many options and it is truly up to you and your child. You can spread it out on a wall, create posters, try notebooking, or whatever fits your child’s learning style best. For more ideas, check out what other homeschool moms are doing in the Master Books App or on Social Media.
Can this series be used for other ages?
Yes! This series is so adaptable! Parents of younger children may choose more reading aloud and discussion time while high school students can use the author’s recommended adaptation to combine all three volumes into a full year, high school level course.
Can I use this with multiple children?
Yes! Families often enjoy reading the lessons together. Simply purchase extra Teacher Guides for each student so everyone has their own worksheets.
The World’s Story Timeline Packs
Beautiful, full-color timeline charts help learners visualize what they're reading and listening to. Available for all three volumes of The World's Story.
The World’s Story Audiobooks
Perfect for auditory learners or listening on the go. Available for all three volumes of The World's Story.
Connecting God's Story to Our Story:
Angela O’Dell’s Biblical Approach to Homeschooling History
The World’s Story invites students on a three-year journey through world history, tracing God’s hand from creation to the present day. With a focus on worldview, this series helps students see history not as distant events, but as part of God’s redemptive story in which they themselves have a place. Engaging narratives, thoughtful activities, and a balance of storytelling with deeper analysis make The World’s Story both accessible and transformative for today’s learners.
Here’s what sets The World’s Story apart:
- Designed to guide families step by step, the series equips parents to disciple their children through history without needing to “know it all.
- Three-Volume World History Overview:
Covers Creation to the Roman Empire, the Fall of Rome through the Renaissance, and the Explorers to the Present Day—building a comprehensive, connected understanding of history. - Worldview Integration at Every Level:
Students learn to recognize how beliefs shape cultures, events, and individuals—while consistently being pointed back to God’s truth and sovereignty. - Narrative with Purpose:
Storytelling draws students in, while guided activities and assignments encourage critical thinking, reflection, and real-world application. - Structured but Flexible Learning:
The six-day rotation includes narration, vocabulary, mapping, worldview checkups, timelines, and special features like Abandoned Places and New to Known connections, helping history feel alive and interconnected. - Biblical Foundation for the Modern World:
From the Enlightenment to today, students discover how past ideas influence current culture—and how God’s Word equips them to stand firm in truth. - Encouragement for Parents:
Audiobooks and full-color timelines supplement the curriculum, making it more accessible for auditory learners and busy homeschool families.
How is The World’s Story 3 structured?
Instead of a simple weekly cycle, it uses a six-day suggested rotation. Here’s the flow:
- Day 1–2: Reading with narration prompts and vocabulary. Sometimes these are open-ended, sometimes guided (especially with topics like the Enlightenment).
- Day 3: World Quest—more in-depth activities, essay-style questions, or character sketches.
- Day 4: Worldview Checkup—students analyze the worldview behind an event or how an event shifted worldview.
- Day 5: Map Adventures plus Abandoned Places—a new feature that highlights fascinating historical sites that connect directly to what they’re studying.
- Day 6: Timeline work and Digging Deeper activities.