My Solar-Powered History Books in Order

The My Solar-Powered History books are Alana Terry's middle grade adventures, and they feel very different from her suspense novels. These stories are playful, fast-moving, and designed for younger readers, but they still take history seriously. The hook is simple and fun: an inventive dad creates a solar-powered history machine, and his kids end up traveling into the past to see major events up close.

That means learning by getting dropped right into the action.

The books are told through the voice of Lake Otis, with brothers Benson and O'Malley usually adding extra chaos, curiosity, and trouble. Instead of reading history at a distance, the kids step into it. In What, No Sushi? they explore the reality of Japanese American internment during World War II. In What Hurricane? they travel aboard the Sea Venture on its way to Jamestown. In What’s in the Suitcase, Grandma? the family story stretches into war-torn China.

What makes the series work is that the educational side never completely takes over the adventure side. There are real stakes, unfamiliar settings, and questions the kids need to solve while they are there. The tone stays lively and accessible, with plenty of family energy, but the books also want readers to come away understanding why these moments in history mattered to real people.

There is a nice homeschooling spirit in the setup too. Terry has long been involved in homeschooling, and these books clearly enjoy the idea that learning can be curious, hands-on, and connected across ages. Parents, grandparents, siblings, and history itself all get to be part of the conversation.

If you are looking for chapter books that mix adventure with historical empathy, this series is a good fit. It is especially appealing for kids who like time travel, inventions, and stories where the past feels alive instead of far away.