Yes – The Kingfisher History of the World contains enormous amounts of information for reference purposes. Note that it has evolutionary material in the beginning, but overall the information is quite valuable. It is not necessarily a daily reading resource, but is readable and provides an interesting overview text.  You can also use it to develop note-taking skills. Assign your Middle School student to take reading notes on a section of the book now and then. Another resource that is even more readable, but best for younger children, is Susan Wise Bauer’s, The Story of the World. It is a 4-volume set that reads more like a story than a historical text. It may not be as useful for reference, but it is much more palatable for younger readers.