Why Vikings Are So Appealing to Middle-Grade Readers

For centuries, children have been drawn to stories about Vikings. Maybe it’s the idea of their longships cutting through stormy seas. Maybe it’s imagining strange and powerful gods like Odin and Thor. Or maybe it’s the thrill of fearless people, sailing into the unknown, getting ready to shape history.

Vikings were intrepid explorers and great warriors, but they were also storytellers. Builders. Believers in other worlds. For me, it’s that mix of mystery, courage, and mythology that holds a special appeal. For kids around 8 to 12, who are just starting to imagine the world and have adventures of their own, it’s magnetic stuff.

As a middle grade author, I try to write stories that stick. What better to write about than an immortal Viking, characters who face danger with bravery and plenty of mystery and magic?  

Why vikings capture kids’ imaginations

Vikings were just ordinary people who crossed oceans without maps. They believed in gods that rode wolves and wielded hammers. They built ships so strong and fast they could outrun the wind—and sailed them into battle with wooden shields, swords and their wits.

Amazing, really, when you think about it.

The Vikings came from real countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. They wore clothes that told stories, made weapons with incredible skill, and they believed in honour, glory, and an afterlife in Valhalla. 

To make all this even more fascinating, many of us carry their DNA to this day.

Some of the most famous and intrepid Vikings in history (like Rollo who became Duke of Normandy and great-great-great grandad to William the Conqueror), became legends because they were bold and restless, just like lots of kids we know.

That makes them great heroes (or villains) for a middle-grade adventure.

From Valhalla to the NFL: Why vikings are still cool

Vikings are still everywhere, not just in middle-grade books, but in movies, video games, TV shows, and even sports.

Just think about the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota’s NFL team chose Vikings as an identity because they stand for strength, grit and charging headfirst into battle — something their team and fans can really get behind!

And look at the hit TV series Vikings and its spin off Vikings: Valhalla, plus characters inspired by Norse gods in the Marvel movies. They’re proof of how popular Viking lore is with all ages, but for middle-grade children, they usually discover them through books.

Authors like Rick Riordan have used Norse mythology with characters like Magnus Chase, turning legends into fast-paced, funny, and yet moving adventures. If your child loves Percy Jackson, they’ll enjoy Viking stories because they have the same mythology and action. 

Bringing vikings to life through fiction

When I first planned my own series The Viking’s Apprentice, I wanted to tell a story about friendship and courage, and a Viking hero who wasn’t just a legend, but someone kids could really relate to. 

My story takes place in Campbell’s Cove, a fictional town inspired by a real place near Inveraray, on the west coast of Scotland. It’s quiet, but feels mysterious. You get the feeling that ancient things just might hide in the shadows! Ideal for an immortal Viking who once gave up his powers to face evil again centuries later.

His grandson Peter, and first male heir, is completely human, with no special powers. He’s just a normal boy caught up in an adventure, who’s forced to dig deep and find courage, loyalty, and resilience to survive and help his friends.

This is the kind of story I loved as a kid — and still love now. It’s got action, mystery and magic. And on a more serious note, it’s about what we all face in life. Fear, friendship, and figuring out who we are when the odds are against us.

Historical accuracy in fiction

Even though The Viking’s Apprentice is a fantasy story, I knew I had to get my history right. Kids (and their parents) are smart, and because I was writing about Viking longships, Viking swords, or the way warriors lived, I had to research all the details properly.

I read books, watched documentaries, and found old sketches of ships and armour. I learned about Viking ship history— how they were built for speed, and how designs changed with each adventure. I studied Viking clothing, Viking sword design, even the shields they carried.

Was all of that research really necessary for a middle-grade story? Maybe not, but I really wanted to do it. The more detailed my world was, the more exciting the adventure would be.

Supporting the classroom

Over the past ten years, I’ve heard from lots of middle-grade teachers who’ve successfully used The Viking’s Apprentice in their classrooms because it complements the curriculum.

When kids learn about Viking history, it’s great to have a link between facts and feelings.

They can retain information about dates, names, ship types, how people lived, because it’s through stories they can imagine it all. They can picture life on a longship. They can understand the fear, courage, and choices people had to make.

I hope my series entertains and inspires young readers to find out more about the Vikings for themselves. Maybe they’ll ask more questions, pick up a non-fiction book or visit real places that inspired fictional ones. If this happens with your child, let me know, will you? I love to hear about it.

Activities pack and free resources

If your child’s curiosity has been sparked by my stories, or if they already love Viking stories, I’ve put together something just for them.

On my website, you’ll find a free Viking activity section with colouring pages, word searches, crosswords and more. It’s great for keeping their love of an adventure going at home, or, if you’re a teacher or school librarian, you can use them alongside lessons on the Vikings.

It’s all completely free — just pop over to kevinmcleodauthor.com and take a look.

I hope my books, and these activities keep your young Viking adventurers reading, exploring, and asking lots of questions!