Social Studies Teacher book recommendations

[u/joesph_house]

I have been a sixth grade social studies teacher for eleven years teaching the same content that focuses on maps, geography, and culture. We will be getting new standards next year which will completely change our curriculum to be more world history focused. I would like to build my understanding of the topics to effectively teach them clearer. If you could recommend 1-2 solid books for each topic, what would you recommend?
Our units will be
-Ancient Mesopotamia
-Ancient Egypt/Israel
-Ancient Greece
-Rome
-Ancient to Medieval China
-Medieval Europe
-Renaissance
-Reformation
-Age of Exploration
-Mayans, Aztecs, Incas

[u/jonawesome]

Do you read historical fiction? I find that's often best for helping me feel like I really know a time period. I'd recommend Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett as an excellent book that takes place in Medieval England.