Guest Hollow's High School Early American History Curriculum Book And Resource List

Welcome to the Guest Hollow’s Early American History Curriculum Book and Resource List! This list is to give you an idea of what will be needed if you are using Guest Hollow’s Early American History Curriculum along with some helpful tips and other information. For details about the curriculum itself, please click here.

Literature-based history that’s engaging and fun!

In order to use Guest Hollow’s Early American History Curriculum, you will need to obtain the scheduled books and other items separately. You may be able to borrow many for FREE from your local library! Check out the F.A.Q. below for tips on how to save money when using a literature-based curriculum.

Every purchase comes with a printable book list!

Every purchase of Guest Hollow’s High School Early American History comes with a FREE printable book list to help you with your planning and shopping.

The printable version of the book list features:

The ISBN number and author’s name
You can make sure your copy of the book matches the one in the schedule.
Notification of when each book or item is used
You can plan ahead when to check out books from the library. Books used throughout the year are marked “multiple weeks,” so you can decide whether you want to purchase them vs. borrow them.
Checklists for planning
A handy checklist helps you plan if you are going to buy or borrow a book. It can also help you choose the format of your books (physical copy, e-book, or audiobook).
Books are ranked in order of importance
Books are ranked in order of importance to help you choose which books you need the most and which can potentially be skipped.
Consumables are marked
You’ll get advance notice of which items are consumable, so you’ll know what you may need to purchase and how many copies you may want to get if you are using the curriculum with multiple students.

Here’s an example of the printable book list:

Keep scrolling to see the full online book list (below the F.A.Q. on this page).

We’ve scheduled in lots of colorful, fact-filled, interesting and engaging books for this year’s American history study! Before taking a look, We’ve addressed some common questions:

Book and Resource F.A.Q.

No. Depending on your student, the time you have available, your budget, and other factors, you can cull some of the books without hurting the program. Using just the spine book, the scheduled videos, and the linked activities covers quite a bit of history. The scheduled books are “frosting on the cake” that help bring topics alive in a way that is engaging and memorable.

You can also use substitutes from your own home or local library. For example: There is a scheduled graphic novel version of The Scarlet Letter. If you can’t obtain that book or if your student doesn’t like graphic novels, you can substitute the original Scarlet Letter novel. Keep in mind that the scheduled books were all hand-picked for their content, presentation, and reading pace.

Some books are marked “unscheduled.” These books are optional and are not featured in the curriculum schedule. They are intended to potentially enhance your studies, and you can fit them in whenever you have the time for them (or ignore them completely, if you wish). You can also use them as substitutions for students who don’t enjoy graphic novels.

We were once homeschoolers, and we know what it’s like living on a budget. We wrote a blog post to help you SAVE MONEY when using a literature-based curriculum. In the post you’ll find handy tips on where to get books, what subscriptions can help out, what some libraries offer for free, where our customers go for used books, and how to find books our customers are selling when they are done. Take a look:

How to Save Money When Using a Literature-Based Curriculum

Our customers frequently resell their used Guest Hollow homeschool curriculum books on our Facebook Groups. Here’s a list of groups you can join and post in! We encourage you to try and recoup some of your investment in books when you are done by posting them for sale in our groups.

You may NOT resell, share, or distribute any of Guest Hollow’s digital products (or printed out copies of our digital products) which includes but is not limited to schedules, workbooks, printables, and other materials.

We’ve scheduled in lots of engaging graphic novels & comics, which should be much easier (and fun) for students to read. Reluctant readers will also appreciate that many of the videos we schedule in cover the topics from the main text and other books (to help build comprehension and retention).

Every student’s reading ability and interest differs. If you have a reluctant reader or a student whose reading skills are not fully developed, you can do some of the following things:

Read books out loud
You can read some or all of the books to or with your student. This is a terrific way to participate in what s/he is learning, too! Our children loved read-alouds, even in high school.
Use audiobooks
Audiobooks can be obtained from Amazon.com or a variety of other places. There are some benefits to using audiobooks. They can be listened to in the car, during lunch, while doing chores, while keeping hands occupied (knitting, coloring, etc.), and other times when print books don’t work as well. You can get the main text A Patriot’s History of the United States in an audio book format. Many of the other books are also available in audio format.
Don’t overwhelm
It may not be the best choice to do more than one literature-based program at a time with a student who doesn’t like reading. Don’t be surprised if this reluctant attitude toward reading changes during the course of the program, though. Many of our customers have told us their reluctant readers learned to love reading using our curriculum!

You’ll have to check with your local educational authorities or in some other way determine if Guest Hollow meets requirements since states and colleges have different expectations.

When we were teaching our kids, we usually had what we thought of as a “core” curriculum (science, geography, or history). Because these programs were so literature-rich, we didn’t do a separate literature course. This enhanced our children’s retention and enjoyment of the material they were learning, since their reading assignments complimented their studies. Of course our kids also did plenty of reading in their free time as well!

Guest Hollow’s American History Curriculum covers a lot of different types of information. We think the BEST curriculums are those that are multidisciplinary. We believe subjects don’t exist in a vacuum, so we like to tie different subjects together, when possible, to expand students’ understanding of specific topics or things they encounter in various scheduled books and/or videos.

Additional credits could possibly be earned for literature and home economics (or some type of cooking course).

Don’t forget to research your local requirements and consult the local experts in your area! We are in NO way advising what credits you should assign. You are ultimately responsible for researching this topic and deciding what will work for you and your family based on your local requirements, future plans, college requirements, and other considerations.

The spine text A Patriot’s History of the United States is a book that is used in some colleges. It is NOT a lower-level book. Using just the spine book, the scheduled videos, and the linked activities covers quite a bit of history. The scheduled books are “frosting on the cake” that help bring topics alive in a way that is engaging and memorable.

We do schedule in quite a few graphic novels and some easier fare (amidst some more difficult titles written for adults), but our goal is to get students to not only learn history, but to RETAIN it and LOVE it. We do this using a mix of materials that even adults could learn from. Information is information. It doesn’t have to be dry and difficult to get through in order to be valuable (in our opinion).

When we were homeschooling, we always used what we believed to be the BEST vehicles for teaching information, no matter what the “level” of those materials. The feedback we’ve received about this program has been amazing. Students who used to think history was dry and boring have remarked how much they love it after using Guest Hollow’s American History!

You can take a look at the unscheduled list of books and choose some from there to substitute. The unscheduled books are listed on this page in the book list below.

The graphic novels were chosen to break up the amount of reading and to convey information in a quick-to-digest way while giving a break in the reading load. Also, in this increasingly visual world, I felt it was important for students to be able to read and digest a variety of materials. They aren’t a match for every student, though. In that case, the unscheduled books make good substitutes.

The curriculum is still very rich and full, even if you skip some of the graphic novels!

We combed AP (Advanced Placement) U.S. History reading lists when researching books for this program. Most high schoolers should be able to handle the reading. There is plenty of “easier fare” to balance things out.

You can easily adapt this program to work with a younger student. Instructions on how to do that are included with the curriculum guide. Look for the “middle school substitutes” for some of the books in the list below or consult the printable curriculum schedule.

Another option is to check out our Jr. Early American History Curriculum for grades 4-8.

Warning! Preview all materials! I strongly recommend you preview all items to see if they are appropriate for your student. Every family is different in what they find offensive! Additional notes about some of the books are in the descriptions below.

Books and Items
Note: This book contains: cursing in the context of historic quotes, mention(s) of rape (no graphic details), some sexual references (example: In Chapter 6 – The Rise of the Common Man, Peggy Eaton was called a “whore” by the cabinet wives), and violence. An older copy of this book (pre-10th Anniversary Edition) can be borrowed for FREE from archive.org. It does NOT match up with the scheduled book, though. The audio book version is also available for FREE on Hoopla (which many libraries have a subscription to). Be warned though, the Hoopla version does not have chapter breaks. Chapter one starts at the time stamp of 25:36. Use the bookmark tool to mark where you stop each day based on the chapter subheading titles (listed in the weekly schedule). We REALLY like the audio version. You may want to consider it for students who get easily overwhelmed by a lot of reading. If you use the audio version, you can purchase an adult coloring book or allow some other quiet activity during the scheduled portions (knitting, paper models, etc.). If you are using this program with a middle schooler, we highly recommend the audio version as it will probably capture a younger student’s attention better than the text (and more difficult vocabulary will be read out loud). Our other recommendation is to use Beowulf’s Big Book of Early American History, instead. Make sure to look at your downloads for a 50% off coupon code in your downloads (if you’ve purchased any of our high school history curriculums).	A Patriot’s History of the United States: From Columbus’s Great Discovery to America’s Age of Entitlement, (15th Anniversary Edition) For families who don’t want to use A Patriot’s History, you can use Beowulf’s Big Book of Early American History, instead. Make sure to look at your downloads for a 50% off coupon code (if you’ve purchased our High School Early American History Curriculum). The book was created as the spine for our Jr. Early American History curriculum (grades 4-8), so it tracks with the high school level, as well. It’s appropriate for just about any age! A Patriot’s History is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. *This is the spine text. It will be used for both years of our high school American history curriculums*. A spine book is the foundation of a study. I researched a plethora of history texts. This is the best one I found that presents history from a conservative and patriotic viewpoint. “For the past three decades, many history professors have allowed their biases to distort the way America’s past is taught. These intellectuals have searched for instances of racism, sexism, and bigotry in our history while downplaying the greatness of America’s patriots and the achievements of “dead white men.” As a result, more emphasis is placed on Harriet Tubman than on George Washington; more about the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II than about D-Day or Iwo Jima; more on the dangers we faced from Joseph McCarthy than those we faced from Josef Stalin. A Patriot’s History of the United States corrects those doctrinaire biases. In this ground-breaking book, America’s discovery, founding, and development are reexamined with an appreciation for the elements of public virtue, personal liberty, and private property that make this nation uniquely successful. This book offers a long-overdue acknowledgment of America’s true and proud history.”

Note: This book contains minor cursing (the word hell).	The Cartoon History of the United States This book can be borrowed for FREE from archive.org: Click here. I schedule in this book as an easy, visual review of the concepts covered in the main text. Students will enjoy the humorous presentation of history in a cartoon format!
	Map Trek – US Edition I believe maps are an integral part to understanding historical events. I’ve scheduled in many of the high-quality maps and the accompanying lessons from the Map Trek U.S. Edition atlas. Each map has 3 levels of assignments associated with it depending on the grade. This collection of maps is also used in American History Year 2.
	Guest Hollow’s American History Workbook FREE download with your purchase Some of the books below have this statement in their description: This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. Those books are referenced in the FREE PDF workbook that is included with your American History Year 1 curriculum purchase. The workbook pages were created for those of you who wish to assess your student’s reading assignments and to help train students to look through a text for information. They are also designed to help students retain what they’ve read and include some maps and other activities. There is an answer key provided at the back of the workbook.
985-1602 Non-fiction Note: This book is often scheduled as a summer reading assignment for Advanced Placement U.S. history students and is also often assigned in college history classes. In my opinion it’s the best (and most interesting/memorable) book I’ve found on the topic of early American discovery in North America, but there is some objectionable content in the book such as references to casual alcohol consumption, violence, sexual content, bad language (usually in the context of the author quoting someone), etc. I have created a brief parent discussion guide to use with this book due to the content (that is FREE with your purchase). The guide contains some ideas to spark conversations with your student about some topics and also gives you a heads-up about the location of potentially offensive content. I think the material in this book provides excellent opportunities to talk about some things your student will be facing in the near future (if not already). This is a book I HIGHLY recommend you read with (or at least before) your student. You may want to consider doing it as a read-aloud for a less mature high schooler (or make use of a black marker to cover any bad language or sections YOU don’t feel comfortable with depending on your student’s maturity level). I skip chapter 4 in the schedule due to content issues. A quote from a AP history teacher on why this book was chosen for his students: “The AP US History course has a large course curriculum load that can often feel overwhelming. Tony Horwitz’s A Voyage Long and Strange deals with a number of the important themes within the College Board’s Curriculum including Identity; Peopling; Politics and Power; Environment and Geography; and Ideas, Beliefs, and Culture through his examination of the early contact period. However, the book is told in the form of a travel narrative with a sense of humor with an eye for dispelling historical myths that the author admits to believing, despite having been a history major at Columbia University. This goal of the assignment is to get students into the mindset of the course by reading a text that challenges established historical belief systems, which is an essential skill in this course.” I agree with this teacher and the many others who schedule this book for their students. I just want you to be warned before you hand it to yours! 😉 Click here for an video interview with the author where he discusses the research and writing process for the book.	A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World I have created a parent’s guide for this book. The guide is FREE with your purchase. Note (PLEASE READ): This is a book that students seem to either love or hate. If it’s not a match for your student (have your student look at the Amazon free sample) get one of the middle school options instead (listed at the end of this description) and skip it. There are also a LOT of pages scheduled per day, so that students can finish this book in a reasonable amount of time. If the book is a match, but your student is a slow reader (or could be overwhelmed by the reading pace), you may want to use this as one of the “unscheduled” books to allow your student to read it at his/her own pace (or assign it before the school year starts). Make sure your student is NOT overwhelmed by this book or by this book’s reading pace. Many families have remarked at how they’ve enjoyed this book and talked about the topics long after finishing it, but others have dropped it or skipped it entirely. Do what works for your student(s)! “What happened in North America between Columbus’s sail in 1492 and the Pilgrims’ arrival in 1620? On a visit to Plymouth Rock, Tony Horwitz realizes he doesn’t have a clue, nor do most Americans. So he sets off across the continent to rediscover the wild era when Europeans first roamed the New World in quest of gold, glory, converts, and eternal youth. Horwitz tells the story of these brave and often crazed explorers while retracing their steps on his own epic trek–an odyssey that takes him inside an Indian sweat lodge in subarctic Canada, down the Mississippi in a canoe, on a road trip fueled by buffalo meat, and into sixty pounds of armor as a conquistador reenactor in Florida. A Voyage Long and Strange is a rich mix of scholarship and modern-day adventure that brings the forgotten first chapter of America’s history vividly to life.” Substitution for a middle schooler: Exploring the Americas (Chester the Crab’s Comics with Content Series) or Exploration and Conquest: The Americas After Columbus: 1500-1620
1600’s (1607- 1678) Non-fiction Honors/extra credit book choice: Mayflower The first book (The Mayflower and the Pilgrim’s New World) is adapted from Nathaniel Philbrick’s book Mayflower. I’ve read both and chose The Mayflower and the Pilgrims’ New World for this course as it’s a quicker and less dense read designed for students vs. adults. However, if you have a highly motivated student, you can assign Mayflower, instead. If you do, it is UNSCHEDULED.	The Mayflower and the Pilgrims’ New World This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. “Adapted from the New York Times bestseller Mayflower! After a dangerous journey across the Atlantic, the Mayflower’s passengers were saved from certain destruction with the help of the Natives of the Plymouth region. For fifty years a fragile peace was maintained as Pilgrims and Native Americans learned to work together. But when that trust was broken by the next generation of leaders, a conflict erupted that nearly wiped out Pilgrims and Natives alike. This edition includes additional maps, artwork, and archival photos.”
1642-1649 Graphic novel (manga) Warning! This story is about a woman who has a baby out of wedlock.	Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter (less expensive link here) I had, at first, considered scheduling in the original classic but decided to replace it with this instead to keep the reading assignments more manageable (and enjoyable, lol). I love this manga rendition of The Scarlet Letter that is faithful to the original classic! Don’t be surprised if your students want to read the rest of the Manga Classic series! Students who don’t enjoy graphic novels can read the original (see the unscheduled book list below). “A powerful tale of forbidden love, shame, and revenge comes to life in Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter. Faithfully adapted by Crystal Chan from the original novel, this new edition features stunning artwork by SunNeko Lee (Manga Classics: Les Miserables) which will give old and new readers alike a fresh insight into the Nathaniel Hawthorne’s tragic saga of Puritan America.”
Game for an optional assignment	Minecraft (Optional) There is an optional assignment in the schedule to recreate a colony, town, or settlement (such as Roanoke, St. Augustine, Jamestown, Plymouth, Philadelphia, Boston, etc.) in Minecraft. Students will have to research their chosen location and search for maps, diagrams, and other resources to help them create their replica.
1600’s-1700’s Non-fiction	Colonial Living This book is available to borrow for FREE at Openlibrary.org. Edwin Tunis brings history to life via his detailed illustrations. I’ve scheduled in two Tunis books to help students better visualize what it meant to live in early America. “Edwin Tunis has brought the significant past to life with consummate skill. Rich in enjoyment, rich in information, with more than 200 drawings, his book is a warm, lively, and authentic panorama of a lost way of life.”
1675 – during King Philip’s War Non-fiction narrative Warning! This book contains: graphic violence (real events of an Indian capture) – Preview for sensitive readers.	The Captive: The True Story of The Captivity Of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson Among the Indians This TRUE story is available FREE online in a variety of formats: Click here. “Although little known today, this story was once widely regarded as a classic of American literature. First published in 1682, it has seen over forty editions in the past three centuries, and it marked the beginning of a very popular and uniquely American form of literature, the so-called captivity narrative, which was the predecessor of the American western novel. This book also holds a prominent place in women’s literature since it is the first full length prose work published in America written by a woman.” Substitution for a middle schooler: Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison or Where the Broken Heart Still Beats: The Story of Cynthia Ann Parker
1682 Non-fiction Note: This book mentions a king’s adultery (no details).	The World of William Penn This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. This book is also available to borrow for FREE at openlibrary.org. I used so many Genevieve Foster books in my own homeschool. I like how they present history in an easy-to-understand manner along with memorable illustrations. This book was written for a younger audience, so it is a quick and easy read (and yet it contains good information for any age!) This book contains some world history as well as American history. “Continuing her unique approach to “horizontal history”, Genevieve Foster explores the wide world of William Penn – a world reaching across the courtyards of the Sun King to the Great Wall of China. Penn’s contemporaries included such colorful figures as Louis XIV, Peter the Great, Edmund Halley, Sir Issac Newton, Shah Jahan ( who built the Taj Mahal), and the great explorers Marquette, Jolliet, and La Salle. Penn’s life spans a fascinating age of exploration and discovery. Penn’s Quaker beliefs under girded his relationships with the Pennsylvanian tribes and established the longest standing peace treaty between American Indians and European settlers.”
1692 – Salem Witch Trials Literature Note: This book contains: references of adultery (no graphic details), hangings	The Crucible This book is also available for FREE in a variety of formats at: https://archive.org/details/TheCrucibleFullText. “The place is Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, an enclave of rigid piety huddled on the edge of a wilderness. Its inhabitants believe unquestioningly in their own sanctity. But in Arthur Miller’s edgy masterpiece, that very belief will have poisonous consequences when a vengeful teenager accuses a rival of witchcraft—and then when those accusations multiply to consume the entire village. First produced in 1953, at a time when America was convulsed by a new epidemic of witch-hunting, The Crucible brilliantly explores the threshold between individual guilt and mass hysteria, personal spite and collective evil. It is a play that is not only relentlessly suspenseful and vastly moving but that compels readers to fathom their hearts and consciences in ways that only the greatest theater ever can.” Substitution for a middle schooler: A Break with Charity: A Story about the Salem Witch Trials, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, or any non-fiction book about the Salem Witch Trials
1700’s Audio (Musical) Note: These songs have a lot of kids/teens/adults on fire to learn more American history. I LOVE that, but there may be some potential concerns for some families. This censored (clean) version (which I have linked to above) bleeps out some of the worst offensive words (f-bomb and s*t), but leaves in some of the milder ones (dmn, whore, bastard, a$$, etc.). There is also some “suggestive” sexual material and adult topics in a couple of songs. I recommend you preview it. You may also want to read the reviews on Amazon for more detailed descriptions of potential concerns and see if this musical is a fit for your family or not. You may wish to skip the racier song about Hamilton’s affair (Say No to This) if you have young listeners around or if you find it objectionable. You can read through the lyrics by clicking here. There is a mix of music styles – many of them are quite catchy, but there is also a lot of rap (although it’s not “gutter” style rap – my term, lol). You can listen to samples on Amazon. Although there are potential concerns for some families, some of the songs are brilliant, and there is so much history that is covered in a way that is memorable and in such a way that it is inspiring teens to learn more. I hesitantly recommend it for mature listeners.	Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording Clean Version Click here for lyrics and explanations of the songs. Genius.com has more in depth explanations of the lyrics. Note: The entire soundtrack is available for FREE on YouTube (provided by Warner Music Group). The online soundtrack is NOT the clean version. This resource is UNSCHEDULED. Listen to it while studying the Revolution.
Optional (for the Hamilton Cookbook)	Ice Cream Maker One of the projects in the Hamilton Cookbook is to make vanilla ice cream based on a handwritten recipe from Thomas Jefferson’s notes. You will need an ice cream maker or you can make it the ziplock baggie way to save money!
1725- late 1800’s Non-fiction	Frontier Living Edwin Tunis brings history to life via his detailed illustrations. I’ve scheduled in two Tunis books to help students better visualize what it meant to live in early America. This book is available to borrow for FREE at Openlibrary.org. “Frontier Living brings to light every significant aspect of daily life on the American frontier, with vivid text and more than 200 wonderful drawings. Immerse yourself in the character and culture of the men and women who stood at the harsh cutting-edge of our civilization: their dwellings, clothing, food, furniture, household articles; their hunting, farming, schooling, transportation, government; their amusements, superstitions, and religion. In Frontier Living the reader finds the forest frontiersman in his log cabin, the ranchero in his casa, the sodbuster in his prairie sod house. Here is the keel-boatman, the cotton farmer, the fur trader, the mountain man, the forty-niner, the cowhand – each helping to shape a new and distinctive way from untamed country. The flintlock gun, the Kentucky rifle, the freight and Conestoga wagons, the stagecoach, the Ohio flatboat, the first steamboat and steam railroad, are all reconstructed here in exact detail.”
1765-1783 Non-fiction Note: This book contains: violence, adult content/references such as: Washington’s possible sterility,George III is faithful to his wife (unlike his father), a mention of prostitutes in Boston (chapter 3), a mention of General William Howe’s affair, etc.	Killing England: The Brutal Struggle for American Independence This book is so popular that I had to purchase it vs. wait months for it to be available via my local library. There’s a reason for that! It’s terrific! “The breathtaking latest installment in Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard’s mega-bestselling Killing series transports readers to the most important era in our nation’s history, the Revolutionary War. Told through the eyes of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Great Britain’s King George III, Killing England chronicles the path to independence in gripping detail, taking the reader from the battlefields of America to the royal courts of Europe. What started as protest and unrest in the colonies soon escalated to a world war with devastating casualties. O’Reilly and Dugard recreate the war’s landmark battles, including Bunker Hill, Long Island, Saratoga, and Yorktown, revealing the savagery of hand-to-hand combat and the often brutal conditions under which these brave American soldiers lived and fought. Also here is the reckless treachery of Benedict Arnold and the daring guerilla tactics of the “Swamp Fox” Frances Marion. A must read, Killing England reminds one and all how the course of history can be changed through the courage and determination of those intent on doing the impossible.” Substitution for a middle schooler: Guts & Glory: The American Revolution or King George: What Was His Problem? Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn’t Tell You About the American Revolution
1770-1776 Graphic novel Note: This book contains: Minor cursing	Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #1) This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. I’ve scheduled in every book in this series that fits into the time period we’re studying, because I LOVE these books. Once your teen gets his/her hands on them, you’ll know why. 😉 I love how these books make history visual and memorable while sprinkling in a bit of humor on top! “Nathan Hale, the author’s historical namesake, was America’s first spy, a Revolutionary War hero who famously said “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country” before being hanged by the British. In the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series, author Nathan Hale channels his namesake to present history’s roughest, toughest, and craziest stories in the graphic novel format. One Dead Spy tackles the story of Hale himself, who was an officer and spy for the American rebels during the Revolutionary War. Author Hale highlights the unusual, gruesome, and just plain unbelievable truth of historical Nathan Hale—from his early unlucky days at Yale to his later unlucky days as an officer—and America during the Revolutionary War.”
1750-1871 Graphic novel	Lafayette! (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #8): A Revolutionary War Tale I love the Nathan Hale graphic novels!
Various time periods Nonfiction Note: This book contains: potentially emotional topics about slavery, violence	To Be a Slave This book is available to borrow for FREE at Openlibrary.org. “What was it like to be a slave? Listen to the words and learn about the lives of countless slaves and ex-slaves, telling about their forced journey from Africa to the United States, their work in the fields and houses of their owners, and their passion for freedom. You will never look at life the same way again.”
Early to Mid 1700’s Literature Note: This book contains: mentions of rape (without graphic details), sexual slavery (again, no graphic details), and there is also violence including the murder of a baby Despite the tough subjects covered, this is an award-winning book about slavery.	Copper Sun I link to discussion questions and a study guide for this book in the schedule, so this book not included in the Guest Hollow study guide. “Copper Sun is the epic story of a young girl torn from her African village, sold into slavery, and stripped of everything she has ever known—except hope.” Substitution for a middle schooler: Slavery’s Storm (Chester the Crab’s Comics with Content Series)
1757-1804 Graphic novel Note: This book mentions how Hamilton’s mother had relations with men other than her husband (and was accused of “whoring” by her husband). See p. 26. It also mentions Hamilton’s affair. See p. 130 for info about the affair and general sexual beliefs of the time (not graphic). The word pimp is used on p. 135.	Alexander Hamilton: The Graphic History of an American Founding Father This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. “Alexander Hamilton was one of the most influential figures in United States history—he fought in the Revolutionary War, helped develop the Constitution, and as the first Secretary of the Treasury established landmark economic policy that we still use today. Cut down by a bullet from political rival Aaron Burr, Hamilton has since been immortalized alongside other Founding Fathers such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson—his likeness even appears on the ten-dollar bill. In this fully-illustrated and impeccably researched graphic novel-style history, author Jonathan Hennessey and comic book illustrator Justin Greenwood bring Alexander Hamilton’s world to life, telling the story of this improbable hero who helped shape the United States of America.” Substitution for a middle schooler: Alexander Hamilton and the Federalist Era (Chester Comics)
1700’s, 1787 up to 1992 Graphic novel	The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. “The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation uses the art of illustrated storytelling to breathe life into our nation’s cornerstone principles. Simply put, it is the most enjoyable and groundbreaking way to read the governing document of the United States. Spirited and visually witty, it roves article by article, amendment by amendment, to get at the meaning, background, and enduring relevance of the law of the land.”
1800-1830 Graphic novel	Problems of a New Nation This is a fast-paced easy read that covers issues like Hamilton’s Duel, the battle with the Tripoli pirates, the War of 1812, the Embargo Act, James Madison’s presidency, Andrew Jackson, James Monroe and the Monroe Doctrine, John Quincy Adams, the South Carolina nullification controversy, Martin Van Buren, etc. Although it’s a Hi-Lo book designed for reluctant readers, I’ve scheduled it as it will help students remember events and people described in the main text (A Patriot’s History) thanks to the mix of text and visuals. Click here for a free sample.
1804-1809 Graphic Novel Note: This book contains: (p. 19) a bit of sexual innuendo which may go over some heads as it could be interpreted another way, (p. 21) the naked backside of an Indian child, very minor cursing, Meriwether’s suicide (implied, not shown)	Lewis & Clark This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. “Two of America’s greatest explorers embark on the adventure that made their names―and sealed their fates. In 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed St. Louis, Missouri, for one of the greatest adventures this nation has ever known. Appointed and funded by President Jefferson himself, and led by a cadre of experts (including the famous Sacajawea), the expedition was considered a success almost before it had begun. From the start, the journey was plagued with illness, bad luck, unfriendly Indians, Lewis’s chronic depression, and, to top it all, the shattering surprise of the towering Rocky Mountains and the continental divide. But despite crippling setbacks, overwhelming doubts, and the bare facts of geography itself, Lewis and Clark made it to the Pacific in 1806. Nick Bertozzi brings the harrowing―and, at times, hilarious―journey to vivid life on the pages of this oversized black-and-white graphic novel. With his passion for history and his knack for characterization, Bertozzi has made an intimate tale of a great American epic.”
1801 Non-fiction	Year of the Horseless Carriage: 1801 This book is also available for FREE at openlibrary.org. This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. This is a quick and easy read designed for younger students but has info high school students will easily absorb and retain. I like how it gives the background details about the Louisiana Purchase and other things going on around 1801 that influenced the future of the U.S. (such as the development of the steam engine, etc.). This book contains some world history as well as American history. “The Year of the Horseless Carriage: 1801, presents the dawn of the 19th century with all its brilliant advancements in transportation, communication, and technology. While the world of technology is progressing rapidly, human rights and liberty are variously being trampled or rising. The megalomaniac Napoleon is proclaiming “liberty, equality, and fraternity” to a war-weary Europe, Jefferson is contemplating the largest land purchase in the history of the world, and Toussaint L’Ouverture is fighting for liberty in Haiti. Robert Livingston, Robert Fulton, Richard Trevithick, Beethoven, Lewis and Clark, Sacajawea, and Dolley Madison are all playing their parts.”
1786-1812 Graphic novel Note: This book contains: some cursing, violence	Rebels: These Free and Independent States I like how this book continues the story of the family featured in the first Rebels book (linked a bit above) and yet it covers a completely different subject. The War of 1812 comes alive in a visual format! Some of the comics in this book also cover parts of the Revolution (and are scheduled when students study that topic). “In 1775, Seth Abbott fought to win his fellow Americans their independence. In 1794, his son, John Abbott, comes of age as their new nation faces multiple new threats: high seas terrorism, fresh aggression from Britain, and intense political division at home. When Congress authorizes building America’s first navy–the famous “six frigates” that include the USS Constitution–John Abbott signs up.” Substitution for a middle schooler: The Story of the War of 1812
1850-1852 Diary Note: This book contains: a brief mention of a suicide in chapter XXV	The Diary of a Forty-Niner This book is available for FREE from openlibrary.org. The Kindle version is 99 cents! What a terrific, interesting book transcribed from a real diary! “In August 1906, Chauncey Canfield committed to his publisher a found text: the diary, ostensibly verified, of one Alfred T. Jackson, a pioneer miner who joined the Gold Rush from his home in Norfolk, Connecticut, migrating to Rock Creek, Nevada County, California, where he cabined and worked. The Diary covers two years of Jackson’s life, and provides us with one of the richest documents of a period of perhaps unequaled importance to the expansion of the United States.”
1820’s-1845 Graphic novel Note: This book contains: minor cursing	Alamo All Stars (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #6) This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. I’ve scheduled in every book in this series that fits into the time period we’re studying, because I LOVE these books. Once your teen gets his/her hands on them, you’ll know why. 😉 I love how these books make history visual and memorable while sprinkling in a bit of humor on top. “From Nathan Hale, #1 New York Times bestselling author and Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List maker, comes the definitive graphic novel about the Alamo. Hale relays the facts, politics, military actions, and prominent personalities that defined the Texas Revolution in factual yet humorous scenes that will capture the attention of reluctant readers and fans of history alike.”
1846 Graphic novel Note: This book contains: minor cursing (hellhole, etc.), cannibalism, murder, etc.	Donner Dinner Party (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #3) This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. I’ve scheduled in every book in this series that fits into the time period we’re studying, because I LOVE these books. Once your teen gets his/her hands on them, you’ll know why. 😉 I love how these books make history visual and memorable while sprinkling in a bit of humor on top. “The Donner Party expedition is one of the most notorious stories in all of American history. It’s also a fascinating snapshot of the westward expansion of the United States, and the families and individuals who sacrificed so much to build new lives in a largely unknown landscape. From the preparation for the journey to each disastrous leg of the trip, this book shows the specific bad decisions that led to the party’s predicament in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The graphic novel focuses on the struggles of the Reed family to tell the true story of the catastrophic journey.”
1800’s Non-fiction and recipe book	The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Classic Stories I can’t resist scheduling in delicious and interesting recipes from the past! Cooking was always an important part of my homeschool and current Guest Hollow students love this culinary tradition! Bring the past alive, learn about historical methods of making & preserving foods, and hone some old-fashioned cooking skills to boot! “With this cookbook, you can learn how to make classic frontier dishes like corn dodgers, mincemeat pie, cracklings, and pulled molasses candy. The book also includes excerpts from the Little House books, fascinating and thoroughly researched historical context, and details about the cooking methods that pioneers like Ma Ingalls used, as well as illustrations by beloved artist Garth Williams.”
1850 Graphic novel	The Underground Abductor This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. This is another terrific graphic novel by Nathan Hale! I’ve scheduled in every book in this series that fits into the time period we’re studying, because I LOVE these books. Once your teen gets his/her hands on them, you’ll know why. 😉 I love how these books make history visual and memorable while sprinkling in a bit of humor on top. “Araminta Ross was born a slave in Delaware in the early 19th century. Slavery meant that her family could be ripped apart at any time, and that she could be put to work in dangerous places and for abusive people. But north of the Mason-Dixon line, slavery was illegal. If she could run away and make it north without being caught or killed, she’d be free. Facing enormous danger, Araminta made it, and once free, she changed her name to Harriet Tubman. Tubman spent the rest of her life helping slaves run away like she did, every time taking her life in her hands. Nathan Hale tells her incredible true-life story with the humor and sensitivity he’s shown in every one of the Hazardous Tales…”
1861-1865 Non-fiction Note: This book contains: violence (which is pretty hard to avoid when you are learning about the Civil War)	Guts & Glory: The American Civil War This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. The Guts and Glory books were written for kids and reluctant readers but are meaty enough that even adults and history buffs have enjoyed and learned from them. I concur with the multitude of reviews – these are entertaining books that help students (and even adults) retain what they are reading. I’ve scheduled in the one for the Civil War to help students get through this difficult topic with a minimum of effort. “History comes alive for kids like no textbook can in this epic account of the American Civil War that’s perfect for history buffs and reluctant readers! Contains awesome illustrations! History buff, Civil War reenactor, and popular blogger Ben Thompson uses his extensive knowledge and vivid storytelling style to bring the Civil War to life in this first book in a thrilling new series featuring incredible people, events, and civilizations. Get ready to learn just how awesome history can be!”
1861-1865 Graphic novel	Big Bad Ironclad This book is available via Amazon Comixology. This is yet another terrific graphic novel by Nathan Hale! I’ve scheduled in every book in this series that fits into the time period we’re studying, because I LOVE these books. Once your teen gets his/her hands on them, you’ll know why. 😉 I love how these books make history visual and memorable while sprinkling in a bit of humor on top. “Each of the books in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales has elements of the strange but true and is presented in an engaging, funny format, highlighting the larger-than-life characters that pop up in real history. Big Bad Ironclad! covers the history of the amazing ironclad steam warships used in the Civil War. From the ship’s inventor, who had a history of blowing things up and only 100 days to complete his project, to the mischievous William Cushing, who pranked his way through the whole war, this book is filled with surprisingly true facts and funny, brave characters that modern readers will easily relate to.”
1861-1877 Graphic novel Note: This book contains: minor cursing, violence & death	Battle Lines – A Graphic History of the Civil War This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. This is such a memorable and powerful book. I even teared up when reading chapter 11. This is a must-have for your homeschool shelf! “Featuring breathtaking panoramas and revelatory, unforgettable images, Battle Lines is an utterly original graphic history of the Civil War. A collaboration between the award-winning historian Ari Kelman and the acclaimed graphic novelist Jonathan Fetter-Vorm, Battle Lines showcases various objects from the conflict (a tattered American flag from Fort Sumter, a pair of opera glasses, a bullet, an inkwell, and more), along with a cast of soldiers, farmers, slaves, and well-known figures, to trace an ambitious narrative that extends from the early rumblings of secession to the dark years of Reconstruction. Employing a bold graphic form to illuminate the complex history of this period, Kelman and Fetter-Vorm take the reader from the barren farms of the home front all the way to the front lines of an infantry charge. A daring presentation of the war that nearly tore America apart, Battle Lines is a monumental achievement.” Substitution for a middle schooler: Civil War, Vol. 1 and Civil War, Vol. 2 (Chester Comics)
1863 Graphic adaptation Note: This book contains: minor cursing, violence	The Gettysburg Address – A Graphic Adaptation This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. “A fully illustrated graphic adaptation that offers a new look at the Gettysburg Address, the bloody battle that prompted it, and the Civil War. Most of us can recall “Four score and seven years ago,” but much of what we know about this historic speech, and what it has to say about the Civil War itself, has been lost since we left grade school. The Gettysburg Address offers a revolutionary way to experience Lincoln’s masterwork. Striking at the underlying meaning of Lincoln’s words, it uses the Address to tell the whole story of the Civil War. We see how bitter seeds sown by the Founding Fathers sprouted into a bloody war, and ultimately blossomed into the progress and justice of the Civil Rights era. The book depicts pivotal events that led to the upheaval of the secession crisis, the crucial Battle of Gettysburg, and the conflict’s still-unfolding legacy with firsthand accounts from Americans from all walks of life: slaves, soldiers, citizens, and, of course, Abraham Lincoln himself—the most transformational president in U.S. history. Writer Jonathan Hennessey and illustrator Aaron McConnell illuminate history with vibrant, detailed graphics and captions that will give you a fresh understanding of this vital speech, which defined America’s most tragic war and marked a new path forward.”
1863-1867 Literature	Carnegie’s Maid: A Novel (This book can be read on Kindle Unlimited.) I like how this novel educates the reader about Andrew Carnegie, the beginnings of the Gilded Age, and the early immigrant experience. The book is categorized as containing romance, but it’s very chaste and low-key. There are questions at the end of the book you may wish to discuss with your student(s), so this book is not featured in the study guide. Click here to preview the questions. “From the author of The Other Einstein, the mesmerizing tale of what kind of woman could have inspired an American dynasty. Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She’s not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh’s grandest households. She’s a poor farmer’s daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the other woman with the same name has vanished, and pretending to be her just might get Clara some money to send back home. If she can keep up the ruse, that is. Serving as a lady’s maid in the household of Andrew Carnegie requires skills he doesn’t have, answering to an icy mistress who rules her sons and her domain with an iron fist. What Clara does have is a resolve as strong as the steel Pittsburgh is becoming famous for, coupled with an uncanny understanding of business, and Andrew begins to rely on her. But Clara can’t let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Revealing her past might ruin her future — and her family’s. With captivating insight and heart, Carnegie’s Maid tells the story of one brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie’s transformation from ruthless industrialist into the world’s first true philanthropist..”
1870 Reconstruction Era Texas Literature Note: This book contains: Some cursing (not much), violence (bad guys trying to get the good guys type), mention of a child prostitution ring (no details at all) – Quote: “Almay would run his child prostitution ring no more…”	News of the World This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. “In the aftermath of the Civil War, an aging itinerant news reader agrees to transport a young captive of the Kiowa back to her people in this exquisitely rendered, morally complex, multilayered novel of historical fiction from the author of Enemy Women that explores the boundaries of family, responsibility, honor, and trust.”
1888 Non-fiction Warning! Sensitive readers may be upset by this book. This book contains: descriptions of death and injuries from snow, the stages of hypothermia described in great detail, frostbite descriptions	The Children’s Blizzard This book is referenced in the curriculum workbook /study guide. This is an amazing book about pioneers etching out a life on the frontier with a great deal of science thrown in (weather, hypothermia, frostbite). “Thousands of impoverished Northern European immigrants were promised that the prairie offered “land, freedom, and hope.” The disastrous blizzard of 1888 revealed that their free homestead was not a paradise but a hard, unforgiving place governed by natural forces they neither understood nor controlled, and America’s heartland would never be the same. “Laskin shows how portions of Minnesota, Nebraska and the Dakotas, heavily promoted by railroads and speculators, represented “land, freedom, hope” for thousands of impoverished European immigrants—particularly Germans and Scandinavians—who instead found an unpredictable, sometimes brutal environment, a “land they loved but didn’t really understand.” Substitution for a middle schooler: The Long Winter
1894 Non-fiction/ illustrated catalog	Sears Roebuck & Co. Consumer’s Guide for 1894 This book is so much fun to browse! “Hundreds of illustrations accompany the fascinating product descriptions and hard-to-fathom prices of over a century ago in this rerelease of the Sears, Roebuck and Co. Consumer’s Guide for 1894.”
	The Hamilton Cookbook: Cooking, Eating, and Entertaining in Hamilton’s World “What was it like to eat with Alexander Hamilton, the Revolutionary War hero, husband, lover, and family man? In The Hamilton Cookbook, you’ll discover what he ate, what his favorite foods were, and how his food was served to him. With recipes and tips on ingredients, you’ll be able to recreate a meal Hamilton might have eaten after a Revolutionary War battle or as he composed the Federalist Papers. From his humble beginnings in the West Indies to his elegant life in New York City after the American Revolution, Alexander Hamilton’s life fascinated his contemporaries. In many books and now in the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, many have chronicled his exploits, triumphs, and foibles. Now, in The Hamilton Cookbook, you can experience first-hand what it would be like to eat with Alexander Hamilton, his family and his contemporaries, featuring such dishes as cauliflower florets two ways, fried sausages and apples, gingerbread cake, and, of course, apple pie.”
Scheduled Videos Please note: There are many other videos in the schedule that aren’t listed here. They are either short videos on YouTube or longer videos that are available on Amazon Streaming (some videos are free for Prime members and others are inexpensive streaming rentals) and iTunes. A list of unscheduled videos is below the list of unscheduled books (keep scrolling down).
1692 – Salem Witch Trials Movie Warning! The introductory scene features brief nudity (the backside and breasts of a single girl) as girls dance around a fire in the forest with the black slave Tituba. It’s easy to fast forward through this part if you find it objectionable without missing much of the movie. Adultery is mentioned later on in the movie (as it is in the play).	The Crucible (movie) OPTIONAL: Watch AFTER reading the book or watch INSTEAD of reading the book.
1754-1763 Documentary / Movie about the French and Indian War Note: This documentary contains violence.	The War that Made America (PBS) – 4 episodes on 2 discs “The French and Indian War pitted French forces for almost a decade against the British, yet few Americans realize its historic contribution to the revolutionary fervor which swept the continent in 1776. Actor Graham Greene, an Oneida Indian whose ancestors fought in the war, narrates this gripping four-part documentary series. Episodes include “”A Country Between,”” “”Unlikely Allies,”” “”Turning the Tide,”” and “”Unintended Consequences.”
1776 Musical Note: This movie contains: some bawdy humor	1776 This musical was a family favorite! “You’ll be seeing stars and stripes as the most fascinating leaders in American history come to life in 1776, a musical about the birth of a nation! With the Boston Harbor still stained from over-taxed British tea, a revolution is brewing in the colonies! And now England has thousands of troops headed for America’s shores to squelch her subjects’ freedom-loving spirit! It’s up to John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson to convince a stubborn congress of British colonists to unite as American patriots turn the inevitable war with England into a Declaration of Independence! “
1770-1826 HBO Miniseries Note: This miniseries contains a few scenes which may be considered objectionable. See the IMDb parent’s guide for more details. Here is another review from a Christian movie guide. We allowed our children to watch this series but fast forwarded through scenes we didn’t think were appropriate. Episodes 2 and 4 were given a MA rating. The rest of the series was given a TV-14 rating.	HBO’s John Adams (Check Amazon Prime Video) “From HBO Films comes this Emmy(R)-winning, seven-part miniseries starring Paul Giamatti as John Adams, the Founding Father and 2nd President of the U.S who played a pivotal role in fostering the American Revolution and building a republic.”
Note: This movie contains: violence, some cursing Click here for a Common Sense Media review of this movie.	Glory “Matthew Broderick and Denzel Washington star in this inspiring story of the first Black regiment to fight for the North in the Civil War.”
Civil War (and after) Movie Note: This movie contains: violence, implied rape (but no details, visuals, or sounds) – You can miss a great deal of the worst of the graphic violence if you fast forward through the first battle scene (but there is still some during other parts of the movie, including a hanging). Read the Common Sense Media review to see potential concerns.	Free State of Jones This movie isn’t just about a true story that happened during the Civil War, it’s also a powerful picture of what happened during the first part of Reconstruction, and there is a bit of real history that happened in 1940’s Mississippi. This movie is rated R and may be upsetting to sensitive viewers (or just plain objectionable to some families). I recommend you preview it or be on hand to fast forward through any parts you find objectionable. “Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey stars in this epic, untold true story of defiant Southern farmer, Newt Knight and his extraordinary armed rebellion against the Confederacy during the Civil War. Despite overwhelming odds, Knight banded together with other small farmers and local slaves and launched an uprising that led Jones County, Mississippi to secede from the Confederacy, creating a Free State of Jones. “
Unscheduled Books Instructions on how to choose from the following books as well as how to schedule them are included in the printable schedule. Students who don’t like graphic novels may choose books from the unscheduled list as substitutes. You may want to assign literature (English/Language Arts) credits for these books. Make sure to check with your local requirements and authorities before assigning credits. Warning: I have not fully previewed the books in italics due to time constraints. I have, however, researched them and skimmed through most of them. Although I have included warnings for some of the books, I have not included every possible objectionable item. Please preview with your own family’s values in mind.
1607 Literature	Blood on the River: James Town, 1607 This book is available for FREE at openlibrary.org. I had originally looked at the novel Tidewater for a good story about Jamestown, John Smith, Pocahontas, etc. Tidewater is pretty accurate historically (and well-written/engaging), but has several “racy” references that are descriptive enough to make it potentially inappropriate. I chose this book, instead, even though it’s written for ages 10 & up (and is an easy read). It covers many of the real events and people of the Jamestown Colony. “Twelve-year-old Samuel Collier is a lowly commoner on the streets of London. So when he becomes the page of Captain John Smith and boards the Susan Constant, bound for the New World, he can’t believe his good fortune. He’s heard that gold washes ashore with every tide. But beginning with the stormy journey and his first contact with the native people, he realizes that the New World is nothing like he imagined. The lush Virginia shore where they establish the colony of James Town is both beautiful and forbidding, and it’s hard to know who’s a friend or foe. As he learns the language of the Algonquian Indians and observes Captain Smith’s wise diplomacy, Samuel begins to see that he can be whomever he wants to be in this new land.”
1642-1649 Literature Note: The entire book is about a woman who committed adultery.	The Scarlett Letter The Kindle version of this book is FREE! It’s also available for FREE at openlibrary.org. This version is listed for students who want to read the original classic vs. the scheduled in manga version (or read it after reading the manga version to assist with understanding). There are also free audio readings on YouTube. Note: Reluctant readers may have a difficult time with the older language. “THE SCARLET LETTER is an 1850 work of fiction in a historical setting, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and is considered to be his best work. Set in 17th-century Puritan Boston, Massachusetts, during the years 1642 to 1649, it tells the story of Hester Prynne, who conceives a daughter through an affair and struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity. Throughout the book, Hawthorne explores themes of legalism, sin, and guilt.”
1660-1715 Literature Note: This book contains: death, an implication of sex outside of marriage (no graphic details), an abused Indian teen girl who has a miscarriage (no details of how she got pregnant, but it’s clear it wasn’t her fault), a kiss between a future husband and wife	Caleb’s Crossing This is a very well-researched book set on the island that is now known as Martha’s Vineyard. The author brings to life the Puritan beliefs of the time, what it was like to be a 17th century young woman, and the prejudices of early America. “Bethia Mayfield is a restless and curious young woman growing up in Martha’s vineyard in the 1660s amid a small band of pioneering English Puritans. At age twelve, she meets Caleb, the young son of a chieftain, and the two forge a secret bond that draws each into the alien world of the other. Bethia’s father is a Calvinist minister who seeks to convert the native Wampanoag, and Caleb becomes a prize in the contest between old ways and new, eventually becoming the first Native American graduate of Harvard College. Inspired by a true story and narrated by the irresistible Bethia, Caleb’s Crossing brilliantly captures the triumphs and turmoil of two brave, openhearted spirits who risk everything in a search for knowledge at a time of superstition and ignorance.”
1757 Literature Note: This book contains: violence	The Last of the Mohicans The Kindle version of this book is FREE! It’s also available for FREE at openlibrary.org. Note: Reluctant readers may have a difficult time with the older language. “One of the most popular novels of early American literature, “The Last of the Mohicans” helped to establish James Fenimore Cooper as one of the first great and world-famous American authors. The second and best known novel in the “Leatherstocking Tales” series, “The Last of the Mohicans” is set in the British province of New York during the French and Indian War. It concerns the rescue and transport to safety, of two sisters, Alice and Cora, daughters of British commander Colonel Munro, who are kidnapped following a Huron massacre of Anglo-American soldiers. They are escorted by frontiersman Natty Bumppo, Major Duncan Heyward, and the Indians Chingachgook and Uncas, the titular sole surviving member of the Mohican tribe. A fantastic tale of adventure set during the middle of the 18th century, “The Last of the Mohicans” is a true American classic, which has captivated readers ever since its original publication”
1776, 1780 Literature	Sophia’s War This book is available for FREE at openlibrary.org. I chose this book because it has so many real people and events in it. It also features a storyline about Benedict Arnold. I liked how you really get a feel for the lives of the citizens of Boston during the English blockade. “In 1776, young Sophia Calderwood witnesses the execution of Nathan Hale in New York City, which is newly occupied by the British army. Sophia is horrified by the event and resolves to do all she can to help the American cause. Recruited as a spy, she becomes a maid in the home of General Clinton, the supreme commander of the British forces in America. Through her work she becomes aware that someone in the American army might be switching sides, and she uncovers a plot that will grievously damage the Americans if it succeeds. But the identity of the would-be traitor is so shocking that no one believes her, and so Sophia decides to stop the treacherous plot herself, at great personal peril: She’s young, she’s a girl, and she’s running out of time. And if she fails, she’s facing an execution of her own. Master storyteller Avi shows exactly how personal politics can be in this “nail-biting thriller” (Publishers Weekly) that is rich in historical detail and rife with action”
1776 Literature Note: I read this book to my son when he was studying American history. It’s a “clean” book but contains violence.	Woods Runner This book is available for FREE at openlibrary.org. “Samuel, 13, spends his days in the forest, hunting for food for his family. He has grown up on the frontier of a British colony, America. Far from any town, or news of the war against the King that American patriots have begun near Boston. But the war comes to them. British soldiers and Iroquois attack. Samuel’s parents are taken away, prisoners. Samuel follows, hiding, moving silently, determined to find a way to rescue them. Each day he confronts the enemy, and the tragedy and horror of this war. But he also discovers allies, men and women working secretly for the patriot cause. And he learns that he must go deep into enemy territory to find his parents: all the way to the British headquarters, New York City.”
1777 Literature Note: This book contains: an unwanted sexual advance (not successful)	Alex & Eliza This is a sweet Y.A. book that will likely appeal to girls more than boys. It’s not 100% historically accurate, but it does feature real events and persons of the Revolution and will likely prompt readers to search for and compare facts with what “really happened.” It also really emphasizes that historical persons are REAL people with their own troubles and happiness, etc. Read a review of the book here: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/alex-and-eliza-a-love-story/ There is a sequel, too: Love & War: An Alex & Eliza Story
1700’s Triple biography Note: This book contains: sexual content (references to enslaved women being used sexually and references to Jefferson’s relationship with Sally Hemmings)	Jefferson’s Daughters: Three Sisters, White and Black, in a Young America I learned a lot about Jefferson and his family from this book! This review sums up the book very well (click here). I think girls will find it more interesting than most boys. “Thomas Jefferson had three daughters: Martha and Maria by his wife, Martha Wayles Jefferson, and Harriet by his slave Sally Hemings. In Jefferson’s Daughters, Catherine Kerrison, a scholar of early American and women’s history, recounts the remarkable journey of these three women—and how their struggle to define themselves reflects both the possibilities and the limitations that resulted from the American Revolution. Although the three women shared a father, the similarities end there. Martha and Maria received a fine convent school education while they lived with their father during his diplomatic posting in Paris—a hothouse of intellectual ferment whose celebrated salonnières are vividly brought to life in Kerrison’s narrative. Once they returned home, however, the sisters found their options limited by the laws and customs of early America. The eventful lives of Thomas Jefferson’s daughters provide a unique vantage point from which to examine the complicated patrimony of the American Revolution itself. The richly interwoven story of these three strong women and their fight to shape their own destinies sheds new light on the ongoing movement toward human rights in America—and on the personal and political legacy of one of our most controversial Founding Fathers.”
1776-1831 Non-fiction	John Adams I read this book out loud to my son when he was a high schooler. It’s a long book, but he enjoyed it. “In this powerful, epic biography, David McCullough unfolds the adventurous life journey of John Adams, the brilliant, fiercely independent, often irascible, always honest Yankee patriot who spared nothing in his zeal for the American Revolution; who rose to become the second president of the United States and saved the country from blundering into an unnecessary war; who was learned beyond all but a few and regarded by some as “out of his senses”; and whose marriage to the wise and valiant Abigail Adams is one of the moving love stories in American history.” Another David McCullough option: 1776
Antebellum period, Civil War, Reconstruction Literature Note: This book contains: sexual content (but this is not a “bodice ripper”), violence, branding of a slave, whipping of a slave, a hanging, some cursing, the “N” word	Jubilee This book is available for FREE via OpenLibrary. This book is featured in many Advanced Placement U.S. history reading lists. It’s a classic, well-loved, sweeping, and panoramic novel based on a true story about the author’s great grandmother. “Jubilee tells the true story of Vyry, the child of a white plantation owner and his black mistress. Vyry bears witness to the South’s antebellum opulence and to its brutality, its wartime ruin, and the promises of Reconstruction. Weaving her own family’s oral history with thirty years of research, Margaret Walker’s novel brings the everyday experiences of slaves to light. Jubilee churns with the hunger, the hymns, the struggles, and the very breath of American history.”
Mid- to Late-1800’s Literature	Gone with the Wind This book is available for FREE at openlibrary.org. “Widely considered The Great American Novel, and often remembered for its epic film version, Gone With the Wind explores the depth of human passions with an intensity as bold as its setting in the red hills of Georgia. A superb piece of storytelling, it vividly depicts the drama of the Civil War and Reconstruction. This is the tale of Scarlett O’Hara, the spoiled, manipulative daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, who arrives at young womanhood just in time to see the Civil War forever change her way of life. A sweeping story of tangled passion and courage, in the pages of Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell brings to life the unforgettable characters that have captured readers for over seventy years.”
Mid 1800’s Literature Note: This book contains: violence	Uncle Tom’s Cabin The Kindle version of this book is FREE! It’s also available for FREE at openlibrary.org. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly, is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852, the novel “helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War”, according to Will Kaufman. Stowe, a Connecticut-born teacher at the Hartford Female Seminary and an active abolitionist, featured the character of Uncle Tom, a long-suffering black slave around whom the stories of other characters revolve. The sentimental novel depicts the reality of slavery while also asserting that Christian love can overcome something as destructive as enslavement of fellow human beings. Uncle Tom’s Cabin was the best-selling novel of the 19th century and the second best-selling book of that century, following the Bible. It is credited with helping fuel the abolitionist cause in the 1850s.”
Multiple time periods Literature	Roots: The Saga of an American Family This book is available for FREE at openlibrary.org. Another option: Watch the mini-series that was redone in 2016. “Alex Haley unforgettably brings to life the monumental two-century drama of Kunta Kinte and the six generations who came after him: slaves and freedmen, farmers and blacksmiths, lumber mill workmen and Pullman porters, lawyers and architects…and one author.A national and international phenomenon at the time of its original publication, Roots continues to enthrall readers with its masterful narrative drive and exceptional emotional power, speaking to us all with an undiminished resonance and relevance. “
1840’s Literature	The Adventures of Tom Sawyer A Kindle version of this books is FREE. It’s also FREE at openlibrary.org. You can also listen to it for free via Audible with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. “On the banks of the Mississippi River, Tom Sawyer and his friends seek out adventure at every turn. Then one fateful night in the graveyard they witness a murder. The boys make a blood oath never to reveal the secret, and they run away to be pirates in search of hidden treasure. But when Tom gets trapped in a cave with scary Injun Joe, can he escape unharmed?”
1848 – late 1800’s Non-fiction Note: This book contains: violence, mentions of prostitution and a mention of Chinese women being used as sexual slaves (no explicit details – See p. 353.)	The Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American Dream This is an entertaining and informative book. There are a few dry spots, but overall I found it quite interesting. It’s one of the best books I’ve read about the gold rush! It is especially recommended for students living in California! “In The Age of Gold, H. W. Brands explores the far-reaching implications of this pivotal point in U.S. history, weaving the politics of the times with the gripping stories of individuals that displays both the best and the worse of the American character. He discusses the national issues that exploded around the ratification of California’s statehood, hastening the clouds that would lead to the Civil War. He tells the stories of the great fortunes made by such memorable figures as John and Jessie Fremont, Leland Stanford and George Hearst — and of great fortunes lost by hundreds now forgotten by history. And he reveals the profound effect of the Gold Rush on the way Americans viewed their destinies, as the Puritan ethic of hard work and the gradual accumulation of worldly riches gave way to the notion of getting rich quickly.”
1849 Literature Note: This book contains: violence, a murder, death (from cholera, childbirth, etc.), an amputation, a veiled/brief reference to homosexuality in a very minor character (no sexual content), the word “hell” used as a curse	Walk on Earth a Stranger This Y.A. book mixes a small bit of fantasy/magic (a girl who can sense gold), Gold Rush history, and a harrowing wagon train journey to California. “Lee can sense gold in the world around her. Veins deep in the earth. Small nuggets in a stream. Even gold dust caught underneath a fingernail. She has kept her family safe and able to buy provisions, even through the harshest winters. But what would someone do to control a girl with that kind of power? A person might murder for it. When everything Lee holds dear is ripped away, she flees west to California – where gold has just been discovered. Perhaps this will be the one place a magical girl can be herself. If she survives the journey. The acclaimed Rae Carson begins a sweeping new trilogy set in Gold Rush-era America, about a young woman with a powerful and dangerous gift.” There are 2 more books in this series: Like a River Glorious Into the Bright Unknown
Civil War Literature Note: This book contains: violence	The Killer Angels This book is available for FREE at openlibrary.org. “In the four most bloody and courageous days of our nation’s history, two armies fought for two conflicting dreams. One dreamed of freedom, the other of a way of life. Far more than rifles and bullets were carried into battle. There were memories. There were promises. There was love. And far more than men fell on those Pennsylvania fields. Bright futures, untested innocence, and pristine beauty were also the casualties of war. Michael Shaara’s Pulitzer Prize–winning masterpiece is unique, sweeping, unforgettable—the dramatic story of the battleground for America’s destiny.”
Civil War Literature Note: This book contains: violence	The Red Badge of Courage The Kindle version of this book is FREE. It’s also FREE at openlibrary.org. “First published in 1895, this small masterpiece set the pattern for the treatment of war in modern fiction. The novel is told through the eyes of Henry Fleming, a young soldier caught up in an unnamed Civil War battle who is motivated not by the unselfish heroism of conventional war stories, but by fear, cowardice, and finally, egotism. However, in his struggle to find reality amid the nightmarish chaos of war, the young soldier also discovers courage, humility, and perhaps, wisdom. Although Crane had never been in battle before writing The Red Badge of Courage, the book was widely praised by experienced soldiers for its uncanny re-creation of the sights, sounds, and sense of actual combat. Its publication brought Crane immediate international fame and established him as a major American writer. Today, nearly a century later, the book ranks as an enduring landmark of American fiction.”
1875 Literature Note: This book contains: violence, cursing, the “N” word	True Grit: A Novel This book is available for FREE at openlibrary.org. “Charles Portis has long been acclaimed as one of America’s foremost comic writers. True Grit is his most famous novel–first published in 1968, and the basis for the movie of the same name starring John Wayne. It tells the story of Mattie Ross, who is just fourteen years of age when a coward going by the name of Tom Chaney shoots her father down in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and robs him of his life, his horse, and $150 in cash money. Mattie leaves home to avenge her father’s blood. With the one-eyed Rooster Cogburn, the meanest available U.S. Marshal, by her side, Mattie pursues the homicide into Indian Territory. True Grit is eccentric, cool, straight, and unflinching, like Mattie herself. From a writer of true cult status, this is an American classic through and through. “
1888 Literature	The Long Winter This book is available for FREE at openlibrary.org. This books is mentioned in The Children’s Blizzard. Laura recounts the same horrible winter in this 6th book of the Little House series. If your student hasn’t read the other books in the series, you may want to encourage him/her to do so! Even my sons enjoyed these stories. “The fledgling town of De Smet in the Dakota Territory is hit hard by the brutal winter of 1880-1881. Laura, Pa, Ma, Mary, Carrie, and little Grace face the winter as best they can, but soon, blizzards have covered the town in snow that piles up to the rooftops, cutting the town off from supplies and trade. Food stores begin to run dangerously low. To save the town from starvation, young Almanzo Wilder and a friend brave the conditions, set off across the prairie in search of wheat, and return victorious. The town is saved, and the townspeople share in an unusual, but joyful, Christmas celebration”
Gilded Age (late 1800’s) through the 1930’s (with the emphasis of the book set during the late 1800’s) Non-fiction Note: This book contains: some sexual content and infrequent cursing – The sexual content is mostly factual references without too much detail (the Commodore pinching a maid’s bottom, etc.), but you may wish to preview (especially chapter 9 – specifically a comment about the Prince of Wales as well as an accusation made about Gloria Vanderbilt during a nasty custody battle). There is also an implication of homosexuality.	Fortune’s Children: The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt This book is available for FREE at openlibrary.org. What an amazing tour of the Gilded Age in the context of a rags-to-riches-to-rags story! This book is chock full of glittering balls, family drama, greed, ostentatious wealth, and flagrant waste that ended in ruin. It’s such a perfect example of how money doesn’t buy happiness. “Vanderbilt: the very name signifies wealth. The family patriarch, “the Commodore,” built up a fortune that made him the world’s richest man by 1877. Yet, less than fifty years after the Commodore’s death, one of his direct descendants died penniless, and no Vanderbilt was counted among the world’s richest people. Fortune’s Children tells the dramatic story of all the amazingly colorful spenders who dissipated such a vast inheritance.”
Nineteenth Century Non-fiction Note: This book contains: a brief mention of a young woman who flirted with a married man via the telegraph (and her father threatened to “blow her brains out” when she met with the man.)	The Victorian Internet: The Remarkable Story of the Telegraph and the Nineteenth Century’s On-line Pioneers This is a quick, entertaining, and easy read that may appeal to kids who like technology (or inventors)! I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it (since this is not the usual type of book I like to read). “The Victorian Internet tells the colorful story of the telegraph’s creation and remarkable impact, and of the visionaries, oddballs, and eccentrics who pioneered it, from the eighteenth-century French scientist Jean-Antoine Nollet to Samuel F. B. Morse and Thomas Edison. The electric telegraph nullified distance and shrank the world quicker and further than ever before or since, and its story mirrors and predicts that of the Internet in numerous ways.”
Historical America Non-fiction	The Seasons of America Past This book is available for FREE from openlibrary.org. You can also find this book at Dover Publications for a little less $$ than Amazon (if you want to purchase it). Click here. I put this book on my coffee table, and visitors have browsed through it exclaiming about all of the interesting facts. It’s a fun read with lots of great black-and-white illustrations that brings history to life! “From flying kites in early spring to hunting and fishing during the glorious days of Indian summer, author Eric Sloane takes readers through a year’s activities as he applies his reverent touch to yet another fascinating aspect of early American life. From “sugaring-time,” spring plowing, and June weddings, to strawberry picking, weeding season, the fall harvest, and cider-making, his winning book recalls the rustic endeavors of not so long ago, when the time of year determined when a tree was to be chopped down, fences rebuilt, and tree stumps pulled out. More than 70 of the author’s own pen-and-ink drawings charmingly depict cider mills and presses, sleds, pumps and wells, axes, plows, and other elements of America’s rural heritage. A section of old recipes and household hints adds additional color and practical value to this delightful book.”
Late 1800’s Graphic novel Note: This book contains: cursing, gore, death, alcohol consumption	The Bridge: How the Roeblings Connected Brooklyn to New York “More than 130 years after its completion, the Brooklyn Bridge remains one of the most extraordinary landmarks and symbols of Brooklyn and New York City—and the story behind this architectural marvel is just as extraordinary. The Brooklyn Bridge was originally designed by John Augustus Roebling, but it was his son, Washington, and his daughter-in-law, Emily, who oversaw the bridge’s construction. As work on the bridge went on, Washington developed caisson disease, leaving him bedridden for the majority of the bridge’s 14-year construction. Washington’s wife, Emily Roebling, took his place running the work site, deftly assuming the role of chief engineer, supervising the project and overseeing the workers, contractors, a hostile press, and greedy city politicians—an unusual position for a woman to take on at the time. In this inspiring graphic novel, author Peter J. Tomasi and illustrator Sara Duvall show the building of the Brooklyn Bridge as it has never been seen before, and the marriage of the Roeblings—based on intellectual equality and mutual support—that made the construction of this iconic structure possible.”
Unscheduled Videos These are extra video suggestions that are not scheduled. If you have some extra time, you may wish to watch them.
American Revolution Documentary	Liberty! The American Revolution Our kids watched this older series several times over the course of our homeschool. The series is very well done, but long. We didn’t have cable, so we used to watch programs like this as our family entertainment. Our kids also loved the Liberty soundtrack (which we still have)! Highly recommended!
1800’s Documentary	Ken Burns: The West “Packed with vivid imagery and personalities, The West reveals the triumph and tragedy of America’s drive to become a continental nation.”
1770’s – post Civil War 2016 Miniseries Note: This movie contains: violence, sexual violence (rape – no nudity)	Roots (Highly recommended!) Click here for the Common Sense Media review to see potential concerns. “A four-night, eight-hour event series, “Roots” is a historical portrait of one family’s journey through American slavery and their will to survive and preserve their legacy in the face of unimaginable hardship.”
1839 Movie Note: This movie contains some scenes which may be considered objectionable including graphic violence and nudity (of slaves). There is one particular portion of the movie that is very difficult to watch (horrible treatment of slaves on a ship with nudity, death, flogging, etc.). Preview or be on hand to discuss while watching (or fast forward past any difficult/possibly objectionable parts for less mature students). Click here for a Common Sense Media review.	Amistad “From director Steven Spielberg comes an epic journey of one man’s fight for his life and his freedom. Brought to life by an acclaimed all-star cast, this story of courage and determination is presented by a director whose vision goes to the heart of the story and the soul of its characters.”
1841-1853 Movie Note: This movie contains: nudity (slaves on the auction block, etc.), sexual content (without nudity), and a heavy dose of violence (slave being whipped, etc.) You may wish to watch this one with your student(s) and have the fast forward button ready to go.	12 Years a Slave This is a fantastic movie, but it’s rated R and may be upsetting to sensitive viewers (or just plain objectionable to some families). I recommend you preview it. “12 YEARS A SLAVE is based on an incredible true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender) as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) forever alters his life. “
	The Men Who Built America This series covers Vanderbilt, Carnegie, and JP Morgan. “See how five self-made men revolutionize modern society and become stitched into the fabric of America.”
Civil War Documentary	The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns Our kids watched this older series several times over the course of our homeschool. The series is very well done, but long. We didn’t have cable, so we used to watch programs like this as our family entertainment. Highly recommended! “The original Emmy Award-winning nine-part series is now digitally restored to archive the highest definition for optimal picture quality.”

The terrific materials listed above are for our High School American History Year 1 Curriculum! We invite you to check it out!
Thank You,
The Guest Family
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