Jr. Early American History Books and Resources

Welcome to Guest Hollow’s Jr. 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 Jr. 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 Jr. 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.

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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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 early American history study! Before taking a look, we’ve addressed some common questions:

Book and Resource F.A.Q.

Warning! Preview all materials! We 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.

Scheduled Books and Materials
Note: If you need to sub out a book or want to add additional books, check out the Big Bad Beautiful Booklist -History Edition! We have hundreds of suggestions and link to legal free copies of many titles.

When you purchase Guest Hollow’s Jr. Early American History Curriculum, you get a coupon code for 50% off the Big Bad Beautiful Booklist -History Edition! Be sure to look in your downloads for the coupon!

History textbook	Beowulf’s Big Book of Early American History This is the “spine” book for the year. A spine book is a backbone of a study. Read about early American history in this fantastic and lavishly illustrated book full of true stories. There are tons of full-color photos, illustrations, cartoons, maps, and even some recipes, music, and poetry that help make history come to life! Greek and Latin roots help explain vocabulary in the text right as you read. Beowulf makes history understandable, memorable, and fun! You get this 450+ page book in PDF format with your purchase of the curriculum (it’s also available to purchase separately). Suggestions on how to view and/or print the book are included with the book download. Beowulf’s Big Book of Early American History is appropriate for 3rd grade (if used as a read-aloud) and up. It can even be used in our high school level for students who are not ready for the Patriot’s History book or read by adults who want to brush up on American history. Click here to view the product page for this book to see the table of contents and some sample pages. Remember, you get it for FREE with the purchase of Jr. Early American History, so don’t buy it from the product page if you plan to buy the curriculum.
History, reference book Note: In chapter 1, this book mentions 40,000 years ago. This book will also be scheduled in Guest Hollow’s Jr. Modern American History Curriculum.	Reference book: Everything You Need to Ace U.S. History in One Big Fat Notebook, 2nd Edition This book is available on Hoopla. The BIG FAT NOTEBOOK™ series is built on a simple premise of borrowing the notes from the smartest kid in class. It reminds me of a colorful outline. This little book quickly covers history in an easy-to-read, friendly format with lots of illustrations that draw attention to important information. There are also end of the chapter questions to check learning, immediately followed by a “Check Your Answers” page for reinforcement and retention. The information isn’t in depth, but it is fairly comprehensive in scope and covers main events in a simple, straightforward manner. We schedule in this book to serve as a quick summary of the topics covered.
Paid printables	Scholastic Teachables This is an optional subscription (check out the 30-day free trial!). You may also want to check your library as some libraries have a subscription to this resource for their patrons (ours does)! We’ve found some terrific printables, diorama printouts, crafts, mini-books, map activities, and more from Scholastic for the various topics studied this year. If you decide to subscribe, you can stretch your dollar and search for other printables to use with other homeschool subjects. Note: This info may be helpful to obtain a subscription if you run into any issues: “Homeschools will need to register with us to be able to order through the Teachers Store. That website is set up for orders from Teachers at schools in our system. To set up their homeschools in our system they may call 1-800-497-8291 to speak to our customer maintenance dept. that can verify their information. The dept. is open 7-3 Central time.
History, culture, nonfiction	Reference book: DK Eyewitness Books: North American Indian DK Eyewitness Books: North American Indian is an original and exciting new guide to the fascinating civilizations of North American Indians. Included are full-color photographs that offer a unique and revealing “eyewitness” view of this rich culture. See a necklace made of bear claws, a model of a Blackfeet teepee, a false face made from cornhusks, how fish were trapped in a basket, and a Cheyenne feathered war bonnet. Learn about why love dolls were important, how turtle shells made music, what’s stored inside a parfleche, the meanings of carvings on a Haida totem pole, and much, much more.  The most trusted nonfiction series on the market, Eyewitness Books provide an in-depth, comprehensive look at their subjects with a unique integration of words and pictures.
Optional book of interactive maps This book will also be scheduled in Guest Hollow’s Jr. Modern American History Curriculum	Optional: Interactive 3-D Maps: American History: Easy-to-Assemble 3-D Maps Help students make the connection between key historical events, geography, and people with this collection of diorama-like maps. Each map highlights an important route in history, such as the Mayflower’s voyage, Lewis and Clark’s exploration, the Trail of Tears, the Transcontinental Railroad, and more. Students manipulate movable pieces across the maps to bolster their learning.
History, nonfiction, Leif Erikson	Who Was Leif Erikson? “Leif Erikson was born to be an explorer. His father, Erik the Red, had established the first European settlement in present-day Greenland, and although he didn’t yet know it, Leif was destined to embark on an adventure of his own. The wise and striking Viking landed in the area known as Vinland almost five centuries before Christopher Columbus even set sail! “Leif the Lucky” and the other fierce, sea-fearing pirates were accomplished navigators who raided foreign lands for resources, hunted for their food, and passed down Old Norse myths from one generation to the next. This book gives readers a detailed account of what life was like during the time of the Vikings.”
History, nonfiction, Columbus Note: It’s mentioned that Queen Isabella had people burned at the stake (p. 17). There is cartoon nudity in the illustration of the natives (p. 31).	Where Do You Think You’re Going, Christopher Columbus? This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available at the Open Library. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. Newbery Honor author Jean Fritz takes us on a historic tour of Christopher Columbus! “In a simple, short biography of Columbus she has been extraordinarily successful in extracting the essence of the man.”—The Horn Book
History, fiction based on true events, Columbus	Pedro’s Journal This book is free via the Internet Archive. This book is available at the Open Library. Pedro’s Journal tells the tale of Pedro de Salcedo, a ship’s boy aboard the Santa Maria, who accompanies Christopher Columbus on the journey to find the new world.
History, math, Eratosthenes, Columbus	The Librarian Who Measured the Earth This is an optional science add-on. This book is read to understand the mathematical idea behind the circumference of the Earth when reading about Columbus’ miscalculation. This colorfully illustrated biography of the Greek philosopher and scientist Eratosthenes, who compiled the first geography book and accurately measured the globe’s circumference, is just right for budding mathematicians, scientists, historians, and librarians!
Science, history, nonfiction	The Cod’s Tale: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World! This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available at the Open Library. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. This is an optional science add-on to learn how the codfish influenced the history of North America. “What was it that enabled the Vikings, Christopher Columbus, and the Pilgrims to cross the cold Atlantic Ocean to America? What became a staple of the medieval diet in Europe, helped spur the American Revolution, and allowed the early New Englanders to start making money of their own?   Would you believe that it was a fish?   The cod!”
History, Roanoke Colony, graphic novel Note: The issues I had with this book: There was some crass humor. For example: in one panel, the Algonquian Manteo is viewing himself in a scene from his past and lifts the back of his loin cloth to check out his own rear end. He says, “I’ve never seen what my own butt looks like!” No butts are shown. In another panel, Sir Walter Raleigh is called “the sexiest man” alive. Queen Elizabeth is also painted as a big flirt (well ok she was, but still, it’s kind of an unnecessary depiction for this age group and very one sided/cartoonish in a negative way). On p. 91 Raleigh says, “The good news is that the Queen still thinks I’m hot.” And lastly, in the theories about what happened, the author includes “abducted by aliens” and other nonsense – which is just to be silly, but some weirdos do postulate the nonsense theories…so… I’d be on hand to make sure my kids knew what baloney they are, just in case. 😉 Despite the issues, it was a good, informative read.	History Comics: The Roanoke Colony: America’s First Mystery This is one of the most detailed and balanced books (in a graphic novel format) about Roanoke for kids that I’ve come across so far. It explains the historical background of the situation, explains the what the Algonquian lives were like during that time period and how they were affected by the arrival of the colonists, etc. It goes into detail and doesn’t assume any previous knowledge. “Turn back the clock with History Comics! In this graphic novel, investigate one of America’s oldest and most intriguing mysteries. Over a hundred years before the pilgrims, the very first English settlers arrived on Roanoke Island. But without warning, these colonists abandoned their new home and disappeared without a trace. What happened to the colonists? To figure it out, we’ll need to investigate how these missing settlers got to Roanoke in the first place, and what the people already living there thought about these strange foreigners. It’s a case filled with brutal battles, perilous pirate ships, ruthless queens, scheming businessmen, and enough skeletons to fill a graveyard.”
Choose one of the following:
History, Jamestown, fiction Book 1: Blood on the River: James Town, 1607 This book is available at Hoopla. Note: There is violence and death in this book (examples: boys fight, colonists die, etc.). The afterword describes how colonists dug up the dead and ate them. “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.”	History, Jamestown, classic fiction Book 2: Richard of Jamestown This book is free at the Open Archive. There is a free audiobook via LibriVox. This book is free at Heritage History (in a cleaned up black-and-white PDF copy). This is a classic, historically accurate book about ten-year-old Richard Mutton, who sailed with Captain John Smith on the Susan B. Constant to help found Jamestown Colony. Note: Indians are referred to as savages (which would have been a normal sentiment among colonists at the time).
Choose 1 of the following 2 optional books (History, project book, printables). When we were homeschooling, we actually used both of these. 😉
Optional book 1: History Pockets: Colonial America We recommend the PDF version here for less $$ as it will save you money and save you from having to copy the pages for printing: Evan-Moore Another option is to get a subscription to The Teacher Filebox. A note about History Pockets: Our family loved History Pockets. If you are on a tight budget, you can skip these, because we schedule in lots of other options. However, for someone who is looking to simplify things and whose kids would like to make some good-looking projects that aren’t too in depth, History Pockets are a great option. Bring history alive as students explore the fascinating past by making the projects using History Pockets! Students become actively engaged in learning while they create portfolios for assessment and display. The teacher pages feature step-by-step project directions and photographs of the completed projects. Students store their projects in easy-to-make construction paper pockets.	Optional book 2: Easy Make & Learn Projects: Colonial America (PDF version) I really like the diorama type models in this book! They are definitly for crafty kids who like to make this sort of thing. If your kid isn’t into cutting and pasting, we recommend you skip this one! Invite students to visit each of the original 13 Colonies with easy paper models that offer a look at life long ago! Teach about goods and services with the New England Seaport diorama and Lift & Look Georgia Plantation. Compare and contrast Colonial towns and homes with the 3-D Jamestown Map, Dutch Step House, and more. Each reproducible model comes complete with background information, easy how-to”s, step-by-step lessons, and extension activities.
Craft and project supply	Construction paper – We didn’t link to a specific pack. You can choose what you wish or go down to the local craft or educational supplies store to buy some. If you plan on making the projects in the History Pocket books and some of the scheduled crafts, you’ll need some construction paper. Make sure to get a pack that has all the main colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, brown, black, purple, white, etc.).
Game for an optional assignment	Minecraft (Optional) There are a few optional assignment ideas for building some historical models in Minecraft.
Paper model/craft – Paid printable	Jamestown replica (paper model) Jamestown, Virginia, was the first settlement to establish itself permanently in the English colonies. Founded in 1607, it provided a foothold in the New World for the British, and the beginning of America’s history of colonization and eventually a young nation. Using just a few printables, make a unique 3-D fort reflecting the way Jamestown looked over 400 years ago!
History, Jamestown, nonfiction Note: There is some violence in this book such as the following comment on p. 23, “As he fled, he almost had his head bashed in with a stone axe.”	1607: A New Look at Jamestown This book is available at the Open Library. 1607: A New Look at Jamestown is the last word on America’s first colony. With expert appraisal of new archaeological evidence, this National Geographic title stands alone for timely authority and visual appeal. Karen Lange’s gripping narrative incorporates analysis of the latest discoveries from the Jamestown site. The text has been researched with the help of National Geographic grantee Dr. William Kelso. The pages come alive with Ira Block’s stunning photography, detailing newly discovered artifacts, and highlighting authentic Jamestown reenactments. Compelling new theories, a National Geographic period map, and stunning reenactment photography take us back to Jamestown in 1607, where the course of our country’s history changed forever.
History, Pilgrims and Wampanoag, nonfiction	History Smashers: The Mayflower This book is available at Hoopla. Myths! Lies! Secrets! Smash the stories behind famous moments in history and expose the hidden truth. Perfect for fans of I Survived and Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales. In 1620, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock and made friends with Wampanoag people who gave them corn. RIGHT? WRONG! It was months before the Pilgrims met any Wampanoag people, and nobody gave anybody corn that day. Did you know that the pilgrims didn’t go straight from England to Plymouth? No, they made a stop along the way–and almost stayed forever! Did you know there was a second ship, called the Speedwell, that was too leaky to make the trip? No joke. And just wait until you learn the truth about Plymouth Rock. Through illustrations, graphic panels, photographs, sidebars, and more, acclaimed author Kate Messner smashes history by exploring the little-known details behind the legends of the Mayflower and the first Thanksgiving.
Choose one of the following 2 books:
History, nonfiction, Salem witch trials Note: There is violence in this book (people hanged, etc.) Book 1: What Were the Salem Witch Trials? Something wicked was brewing in the small town of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It started when two girls, Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, began having hysterical fits. Soon after, other local girls claimed they were being pricked with pins. With no scientific explanation available, the residents of Salem came to one conclusion: it was witchcraft! Over the next year and a half, nineteen people were convicted of witchcraft and hanged while more languished in prison as hysteria swept the colony. Author Joan Holub gives readers and inside look at this sinister chapter in history.	History, graphic novel/comic Book 2: William Penn: Founder of Pennsylvania This book is available at Hoopla. This graphic novel/comic tells the story of Quaker leader William Penn, founder of the Pennsylvania Colony, whose ideas about government influenced the U.S. Constitution.
History, fiction Note: The word damn is used once.	Pirate Diary: The Journal of Jake Carpenter (Historical Diaries) This book is available at the Open Library. Curious about life on a pirate ship? Climb aboard this account of adventure on the high seas as told by a feisty nine-year-old carpenter’s apprentice, circa 1716. Historically accurate illustrations of ship and crew, a map of Jake’s travels, and a detailed glossary and index vividly reveal the fascinating — and harsh — life of a pirate in the eighteenth century. Ships ahoy!
Printable game – Paid printable	A Trip to Town File Folder Game Is the winter coming? Running low on supplies? Sounds like it’s time for a trip to town! This file folder game takes you through a town in colonial America to purchase some of the many items that were used at the time. Students compete by answering questions from the era as they move around and try to be the first to get the items on their list. Don’t get in trouble, though, or you might end up in the stocks!
Choose one of the following two books: Fiction based on a true story set during the French and Indian War
Book 1: Mary Jemison: Native American Captive (Based on a True Story) This book is available on Hoopla. Note: Compared to Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski (the 2nd choice), this book is more accurate and has more details of Mary’s life. It also reflects her real age at capture (15) vs. the younger child the other book seems to portray her as. This version of the story features her marriage and 1st child and gives information about her later life (which I think a lot of students would wonder about otherwise). I think it was well done and appreciated the historical facts that were more liberally sprinkled in compared to the Lenski book. The chapters are also shorter. Both are worth reading. 🙂 The Lenski book may be more appropriate for a younger student (since it portrays Mary as being somewhat younger, but either one will work)! Meet the colonial girl who was adopted into the Seneca nation in this middle grade historical fiction novel, part of the Based on a True Story series. What happens when everything you know is suddenly ripped away? This is the fate of Mary Jemison, a fifteen-year-old frontier girl living in Pennsylvania in 1758. How does Mary find the will to carry on? During the French and Indian War, Mary is captured by a band of French and Shawnee warriors and led deep into the woods. After her family is killed, Mary is traded to the Seneca and taken in by two sisters. Renamed Dehgewanus, she finds her place among the Seneca and embarks on a new way of life. But when given the choice, will Mary return to the world she once knew or remain with her adopted family?	Book 2: Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison This book is available via Kindle Unlimited. This book is available at Hoopla (audiobook and eBook). This book is free at the Open Library. This book is available on Everand. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link).  A Newbery Honor book inspired by the true story of a girl captured by a Shawnee war party in Colonial America and traded to a Seneca tribe. When twelve-year-old Mary Jemison and her family are captured by Shawnee raiders, she’s sure they’ll all be killed. Instead, Mary is separated from her siblings and traded to two Seneca sisters, who adopt her and make her one of their own. Mary misses her home, but the tribe is kind to her. She learns to plant crops, make clay pots, and sew moccasins, just as the other members do. Slowly, Mary realizes that the Indians are not the monsters she believed them to be. When Mary is given the chance to return to her world, will she want to leave the tribe that has become her family? This Newbery Honor book is based on the true story of Mary Jemison, the pioneer known as the “White Woman of the Genesee.”
Printable game – Paid printable	Taxation Frustration! Game Time to go shopping! But wait, can you afford these outrageous taxes? Are you a British citizen or not? In this game players learn about the pressures and drama of paying taxes in the American colonies before the Revolutionary War.
History, project book, reproducible	History Pockets: The American Revolution We recommend the PDF version here for less $$ as it will save you money and save you from having to copy the pages for printing: Evan-Moore Another option is to get a subscription to The Teacher Filebox. A note about History Pockets: Our family loved History Pockets. If you are on a tight budget, you can skip these, because we schedule in lots of other options. However, for someone who is looking to simplify things and whose kids would like to make some good-looking projects that aren’t too in depth, History Pockets are a great option. Bring history alive as students explore the fascinating past by making the projects in History Pockets-The American Revolution! Students become actively engaged in learning about this important part of history while they create portfolios for assessment and display. The teacher pages feature step-by-step project directions and photographs of the completed projects. Students store their projects in easy-to-make construction paper pockets.
History, science, nonfiction	Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin Electric Ben is now a 2013 Boston Globe-Horn Book Nonfiction Book Award Winner, a Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book, a Horn Fanfare Book, and a  Robert F. Sibert Honor book! “a true standout…bright, witty, informative and cleverly organized as the man himself.” – The New York Times A true Renaissance man, Benjamin Franklin was the first American celebrity. In pictures and text, master artist Robert Byrd documents Franklin’s numerous and diverse accomplishments, from framing the Constitution to creating bifocals. The witty, wise, and endlessly curious Franklin is the perfect subject for Byrd’s lively style and vibrant art. The pages pulse with facts, quotes, and captions, while the inventive design and intricately detailed illustrations make a striking tribute to the brilliant American.
History, nonfiction	American Revolution (DK Eyewitness) This is an optional reference book. We love the photographs of real items. 🙂 Eyewitness American Revolution uses a groundbreaking visual layout that makes learning fun for kids. This museum in a book uses striking full-color photographs and illustrations of colonial weaponry, the notorious British red-coat uniform, deadly warships, the historic Declaration of Independence, and much more as well as amazing facts, infographics, statistics, and timelines to help bring this extraordinary war to life.
History, nonfiction	George vs. George: The American Revolution As Seen from Both Sides This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available at the Open Library. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. This is a picture book, but it distills important issues down into a way that is easy to understand and retain. We used this book in our homeschool and schedule it for the visual component. Even older students will benefit from the terrific illustrations and information. “The author spent two years researching books, paintings, cartoons, and descriptions of Revolutionary times. She uses art, text, and first-hand accounts to illustrate how history should never be reduced to simplistic conflicts between the “good guys” and the “bad guys.” Her illustrations, and her engaging quote bubbles, bring the Revolution to life again, and allow the characters of the period to speak for themselves. Through its lively text, detailed illustrations, and fully authenticated quotes, George vs. George shines fresh light on both sides of the story of our country’s formative years.”
History, nonfiction	What Was the Boston Tea Party? “No Taxation without Representation!” The Boston Tea Party stands as an iconic event of the American Revolution—outraged by the tax on tea, American colonists chose to destroy the tea by dumping it into the water! Learn all about the famed colonialists who fought against the British Monarchy, and read about this act of rebellion from our history! With black-and-white illustrations throughout and sixteen pages of photos, the Boston Tea party is brought to life!
History, biography	Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May? I love these short books by Jean Fritz. They help make famous historical figures and events more relatable and memorable. Patrick Henry wasn’t particularly well spoken. As a lawyer, he mumbled through some of his early cases. But when the issue was freedom, Patrick Henry was transformed into a natural orator. Jean Fritz makes history come alive as she chronicles the life of a man who moved a nation.
Science, history, nonfiction Note: This book is also scheduled in our Botany curriculum.	The Biography of Tea This is an optional science add-on that compliments learning about the Boston Tea Party. How could a relaxing cup of tea become a symbol of revolution? This fascinating new book relates the thousands-year-old history of tea and its sometimes tumultuous trade. The first book on tea was published in China in 800 A.D. Since that time, people have been boiling and steeping the leaves of plants all over the world. Find out how different teas are grown, harvested, and sold and how the trade of tea has changed the world.
	Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? This book is available at Hoopla as an e-book, audiobook, and movie. This book is available at the Open Library. Little-known facts are highlighted in this fun book about this historical figure, by Newbery Honor-winning author Jean Fritz. “The book is a most enjoyable view of history . . . The delightful illustrations exactly suit the times and the extraordinary character of John Hancock.”—The Horn Book
Choose one of the following 2 books:
History, fiction based on true events Book 1: The Winter of Red Snow This book is available at Hoopla. Note: There is a bit of gruesome material in this book (a girl says she saw a surgeon saw off a man’s leg). Soldiers die, a man is hanged, etc. Everything is age appropriate (in our opinion). Eleven-year-old Abigail Jane Stewart’s fictionalized diary about her life, family, friends, and neighbors, and the sides they have to choose in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the height of the Revolutionary War, renders a vivid portrayal of one of the most memorable and crucial winters in American history. Abby’s life with her family is quickly upended when they are awakened by the unfamiliar sound of drums. General George Washington is leading the Continental soldiers into their winter encampment at Valley Forge, PA.	Book 2: I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 This book is available at Hoopla as an e-book and audiobook. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. British soldiers were everywhere. There was no escape. Nathaniel Fox never imagined he’d find himself in the middle of a blood-soaked battlefield, fighting for his life. He was only eleven years old! He’d barely paid attention to the troubles between America and England. How could he, while being worked to the bone by his cruel uncle, Uriah Storch? But when his uncle’s rage forces him to flee the only home he knows, Nate is suddenly propelled toward a thrilling and dangerous journey into the heart of the Revolutionary War. He finds himself in New York City on the brink of what will be the biggest battle yet.
History, graphic novel, the American Revolution Note: This book contains: Minor cursing	Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #1) This book is available at Hoopla. 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.”
History, graphic novel	Lafayette! (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #8): A Revolutionary War Tale This book is available at Hoopla. Meet French nobleman and American Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette in this installment of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel series!
Historical fiction (with a sprinkling of truth) set in 1795-1814.	Justin Morgan Had a Horse This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. Joel Goss knows that Little Bub is a special colt, even though he’s a runt. And when schoolteacher Justin Morgan asks Joel to break the colt in, Joel is thrilled! Soon word about Little Bub has spread throughout the entire Northeast — this spirited colt can pull heavier loads than a pair of oxen. And run faster than thoroughbreds! This is the story of the little runt who became the father of the world-famous breed of American horses — the Morgan.
Picture book based on a true story	An Inconvenient Alphabet: Ben Franklin & Noah Webster’s Spelling Revolution Sometimes a picture book is the fastest/easiest way to learn something. This one is delightful! Do you ever wish English was eez-ee-yer to spell? Ben Franklin and Noah Webster did! Debut author Beth Anderson and the New York Times bestselling illustrator of I Dissent, Elizabeth Baddeley, tell the story of two patriots and their attempt to revolutionize the English alphabet. In 1786, Ben Franklin, at age eighty, and Noah Webster, twenty-eight, teamed up. Their goal? Make English easier to read and write. But even for great thinkers, what seems easy can turn out to be hard. Children today will be delighted to learn that when they “sound out” words, they are doing eg-zakt-lee what Ben and Noah wanted.
History, nonfiction	Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available at the Open Library. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. Go behind the scenes at the Constitutional Convention, thanks to award-winning author Jean Fritz’s words! This factual gem that’s written with Newbery Honor author Jean Fritz’s humorous touch chronicles the hot summer of 1787 where fifty-five delegates from thirteen states huddled together in the strictest secrecy in Philadelphia to draw up the constitution of the United States!
Nonfiction	Kids Have Questions Too! What Does the U.S. Constitution Say? This unbiased book is easy-to-understand for any age, even the youngest students. It’s never too early to learn what the Constitution is about and what it protects!
Nonfiction	Kids Have Questions, Too! What Is the Bill of Rights? This is one of the few modern books I’ve found that takes an unbiased, facts-only approach to the Bill of Rights. It’s super easy to understand, quick to read, and extremely important for kids to learn!
History, fiction and nonfiction, crafts, activities, and recipes	A Pioneer Sampler: The Daily Life of a Pioneer Family in 1840 I’m so happy this book is still in print! I used it with my kids way back when, and we all loved it. I love the mix of fiction and nonfiction, the activities, and the engaging illustrations. “In an unusual blend of fiction and nonfiction, A Pioneer Sampler chronicles one year in the lives of the Robinson family. Illustrated historical notes enlarge on the social history and describe activities related to the stories, from churning butter to predicting the weather. Young readers are invited to try their hand at these tasks to experience a bit of pioneer life.”
Science, comic Note: This book is also scheduled in our Jr. Geography Curriculum.	Bear Goes Sugaring This is an optional science add-on. Don’t pay attention to the recommended age for this book. It’s got plenty of info that will teach your students where maple syrup comes from and how it’s harvested. “Learn how to make syrup the old-fashioned way with the help of a friendly bear and her amusingly unhelpful accomplices Dog and Squirrel in this informative comics-style picture book.”
Nonfiction, interactive book	The Interactive Constitution: Explore the Constitution with flaps, wheels, color-changing words, and more! Explore the U.S. Constitution like never before! Amazing interactive features like color-changing words, flaps, wheels, and a special vocabulary decoder help kids learn about types of government, checks and balances, the Bill of Rights, the amendment process, and more! There’s never been a better way―or a more important time―to discover the world-changing importance of this powerful founding document. “In cheery infographic-style illustrations and chatty but succinct prose, Miles and Pinilla have boiled down the basics of the U.S. Constitution without shortchanging history or legal tradition….Both history geeks and casual students should easily ratify this one.”―Publishers Weekly
History, nonfiction, highly illustrated	The Trailblazing Life of Daniel Boone and How Early Americans Took to the Road: The French & Indian War; Trails, Turnpikes, & the Great Wilderness … Much, Much More This book is available at the Open Library. Once again, Cheryl Harness combines lively storytelling with vividly detailed illustrations to transport readers back to an exciting era in American history. During Daniel Boone’s 86-year life, Colonial America is transformed into a revolutionary republic, trails morph into roads and highways, and Americans discover new ways to travel—by canal, and by steam-powered boats and trains. Readers journey through these formative milestones in America’s great westward expansion with the aid of a time line running along each page, 200-plus illustrations, maps, sidebars, primary-source quotations, and resource lists. The amazing, true story of Daniel Boone will give readers insight into an era of explosive change and unforgettable adventure.
History, project book, printables	Get the physical version here: History Pockets: Moving West, Grades 4-6+ We recommend the PDF version here for less $$ as it will save you money and save you from having to copy the pages for printing: Evan-Moore Another option is to get a subscription to The Teacher Filebox. A note about History Pockets: Our family loved History Pockets. If you are on a tight budget, you can skip these, because we schedule in lots of other options. However, for someone who is looking to simplify things and whose kids would like to make some good-looking projects that aren’t too in depth, History Pockets are a great option. History Pockets-Moving West, contains ten discovery pockets. The introduction pocket gives an overview of the westward movement. The other pockets feature nine adventurous groups of people who took part in the westward movement. Each of the pockets contains: a reproducible pocket label a bookmark of short, fun facts about the subject a fact sheet of background information for teacher and students arts and crafts projects writing activities Evaluation forms are provided at the end of the book for teacher and student assessment purposes.
History, nonfiction	Who Was Alexander Hamilton? Born in the British West Indies and orphaned as a child, Alexander Hamilton made his way to the American Colonies and studied to become a lawyer. He joined a local militia during the American Revolution, rose to the rank of Major General, and became the chief aide to General George Washington. After the war, he became the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. He founded the Bank of New York and The New York Post newspaper. He served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and is also celebrated as a co-author of The Federalist Papers, a series of essays that are still used today to interpret the U.S. Constitution. The end of his life became a national scandal when he was shot and killed in a duel with then-Vice President Aaron Burr.
History, science, nonfiction Note: Death, vomiting, etc. are mentioned in this book. Preview for sensitive students.	An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 (Newbery Honor Book) This is an optional science (mixed with history) add-on. This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available at the Open Library. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. 1793, Philadelphia: The nation’s capital and the largest city in North America is devastated by an apparently incurable disease, cause unknown…   This dramatic narrative describes the illness known as yellow fever and the toll it took on the city’s residents, relating the epidemic to the social and political events of the day and eighteenth-century medical beliefs and practices. Drawing on first-hand accounts, Jim Murphy spotlights the heroic role of Philadelphia’s free blacks in combating the disease, and the Constitutional crisis President Washington faced when he was forced to leave the city—and all his papers—to escape the deadly contagion. The search for the fever’s causes and cure provides a suspenseful counterpoint to this riveting true story of a city under siege.   Winner of multiple awards, this thoroughly researched book offers a look at the conditions of cities at the time of our nation’s birth, and draws timely parallels to modern-day epidemics.
Item for a hands-on activity	Optional: LCD writing tablet Students can use this for some of their schoolwork after learning about how pioneer children used slates.
History, nonfiction, highly illustrated	The Revolutionary John Adams This book is available at the Open Library. Dynamic artwork and lively narrative create a warm, personable portrait of the stubborn man from Braintree, Massachusetts, whose passion for liberty spurred him on to extraordinary roles as a Founding Father, first Vice President, and second President of the United States. Through Adams’s eyes, kids witness the tension-enflamed streets of Boston, the bickering Continental Congress, the complexities of waging the War for Independence, and the challenges of governing a new nation.
Science, bees, a companion book for A Pioneer Sampler Note: Pages 4-5 discuss evolution. Skip if you are a creationist.	Bees: A Honeyed History This is an optional science add-on that goes with the A Pioneer Sampler book. With beautifully accessible illustrations depicting everything from bee anatomy to the essentials of honey making, readers will be captivated by the endless wonders of this seemingly small speck of the animal kingdom. For a curious child or a parent who wants to explain the contribution of bees to the world around us, this book is lively, fun, and educational.
History, fiction	Dolley Madison & the War of 1812: America’s First Lady There is an optional study guide for this book. This book is available via Kindle Unlimited. Amidst the nonstop turmoil of the War of 1812, the decisive First Lady takes action and inspires an anxious nation. Dolley Madison faces a bitterly divided Washington City when her husband, James Madison, becomes our fourth president. The prospect of war against Great Britain threatens to tear our fragile republic apart. The “Presidentess” hosts open parties in the new President’s House to unite political foes and cultivate an American identity. When President Madison declares war with disastrous results, Dolley carries on, ignoring the threats against her. However, as British soldiers march toward Washington City, she becomes their target. Now America’s Second War of Independence hinges on her. What must she do to save the United States while also saving herself? The true story of a woman with humble Quaker roots who rallies America during the War of 1812!
Choose one of the following (or both):
History, nonfiction Option 1: Who Was Thomas Jefferson? Did you know that John Adams had to coax Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence? It’s true. The shy Virginia statesman refused at first, but then went on to author one of our nation’s most important and inspiring documents. The third U.S. president, Jefferson was also an architect, inventor, musician, farmer, and-what is certainly the most troubling aspect of his life-a slave owner. Finally, here’s a biography for kids that unveils the many facets of this founding father’s remarkable and complicated life.	History, nonfiction, magazine Option 2: Kids Discover Magazine: Sacagawea Our kids always loved the Kids Discover magazines. This quick read is chock-full of facts and colorful illustrations and only 1.99 for the issue. There is a craft and puzzles at the back. You can preview the entire issue online at the link above.
History, nonfiction	What Was the Lewis and Clark Expedition? When Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the “Corp of Discovery” left St. Louis, Missouri, on May 21, 1804, their mission was to explore the vast, unknown territory acquired a year earlier in the Louisiana Purchase. The travelers hoped to find a waterway that crossed the western half of the United States. They didn’t. However, young readers will love this true-life adventure tale of the two-year journey that finally brought the explorers to the Pacific Ocean.
Supply for an optional project	Flower/plant press You’ll need a flower press for an optional plant collection and identification project similar to what Lewis and Clark made. Choose whichever one you like.
History, nonfiction, picture book	Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library Before, during, and after the American Revolution, Jefferson collected thousands of books on hundreds of subjects. In fact, his massive collection eventually helped rebuild the Library of Congress—now the largest library in the world. This book is a delightful retelling about Jefferson’s love for books and reading.
History, nonfiction, graphic novel	The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner (Graphic History)  This book is available at Hoopla. Discusses the events leading up to the Battle of Fort McHenry and Francis Scott Key’s writing of the Star-Spangled Banner, and later how it became our national anthem. Written in graphic-novel format.
History, nonfiction	Native American Heroes: Osceola, Tecumseh & Cochise This book is available at Hoopla. Osceola, Cochise, and Tecumseh are three Native American heroes who fought valiantly for their land and for their people. This book is divided into three parts–each part recounting the life of one of these great heroes. Their true stories are emotionally gripping and tragic, and Ann McGovern handles delicate topics, such as violence and racism, expertly for young readers. The narrative text is supplemented by black-and-white original source materials throughout (i.e. photographs, maps, portraits, a newspaper article).
Item for a hands-on activity	Optional: Drop spindle Roving wool (for spinning) Students who are interested can learn how to make thread with a drop spindle after reading about it in A Pioneer Sampler and watching a video tutorial.
History, fiction	Tree in the Trail This book is available at the Open Library. The history of the Great Plains and the Santa Fe Trail is told in text and pictures by focusing on a cottonwood tree and the events that happen around it.
History, nonfiction, highly illustrated	Amazing Impossible Erie Canal This book is available at the Open Library. When De Witt Clinton, a young politician, first dreams of building a canal to connect the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, folks don’t believe such a thing can be done. But eight long years after the first shovelful of earth is dug, Clinton realizes his vision at last. The longest uninterrupted canal in history has been built, and it is now possible to travel by water from the American prairie all the way to Europe! Join Cheryl Harness on a fascinating and fun-filled trip as she depicts the amazing construction and workings of the Erie Canal. From the groundbreaking ceremony on the Fourth of July in 1817 to a triumphant journey down America’s first superhighway, it’s a trip you definitely don’t want to miss.
Paid printable	Optional for the book above: The Erie Canal Lap Book Project Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal… Two hundred years ago ground was broken on the Erie Canal. Known as “Clinton’s Big Ditch,” it took some time before the importance of this waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes was fully appreciated. This pop-up lap booking project is a great way to review what has since been remembered as one of the great engineering accomplishments of early U.S. History.
1836 History, graphic novel This book contains: minor cursing (via quoting a historical figure)	Alamo All Stars (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #6) This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available at the Open Library. “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.”
History, nonfiction	Trail of Tears Note: This book is probably way too easy for most students in this level, but it gets the information across in an easy to digest and remember way without boring to death. I previewed a lot of books about the Trail of Tears and wasn’t happy with almost all of them for various reasons. This is the best choice (in my opinion) to cover this story without having to wade through dull and dry material or read lackluster stories/novels. It will be a quick read, but the topic is worth covering. In 1838, settlers moving west forced the great Cherokee Nation, and their chief John Ross, to leave their home land and travel 1,200 miles to Oklahoma. An epic story of friendship, war, hope, and betrayal.
1846 History, 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 available at the Open Library. This book is available via Amazon Kids+. 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 kiddo 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.”
Project/kit for a hands-on activity	Morse code bracelet kit Choose a kit to make a morse code based bracelet.
History, nonfiction Note: PREVIEW for younger or sensitive students. Chapter 5 mentions how miners would often spend their money in town and “drink, dance, and gamble.” Chapter 7 talks about punishments for crimes like claim jumping such as whipping, branding, cutting off an ear, or hanging. From chapter 8: “Where there was gambling, there was usually smoking and drinking. Sometimes there were fistfights or gunfights.” Chapter 9 mentions how explosions and poisonous gases in a tunnel could kill miners.	What Was the Gold Rush? In 1848, gold was discovered in California, attracting over 300,000 people from all over the world, some who struck it rich and many more who didn’t. Hear the stories about the gold-seeking “forty-niners!” With black-and white illustrations and sixteen pages of photos, a nugget from history is brought to life!
Item for a hands-on activity	Optional: Purchase some paydirt for one of the experiments in the History Pockets book. The original experiment calls for gravel, but why not pan for real gold? You can purchase paydirt on Amazon. Some come with panning kits. Here’s a link to a gold pan. Choose what works for your budget. Gem and crystal “paydirt” is less expensive, so you may want to use that.
History, fiction Note: This book has some violence (typical Oregon Trail “game” endings). Examples: p. 18, a boy falls from a rock and breaks his bones, p. 25 a wagon wheel rolls over a boy’s leg, and he has to get it put in a cast, p. 27 a boy drowns in the river, p. 32 a boy dies of dysentery because he takes a sip of the water before it’s boiled, p. 74 a boy dies of a snakebite, p. 108 a boy has part of his leg amputated but survives, p. 123 a family dies of cholera, etc. Nothing is too graphic (in our opinion) for this age group, but you should preview for sensitive students.	The Oregon Trail: The Race to Chimney Rock This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. Go west, young pioneer—your journey begins here! In this first leg of your trek on the Oregon Trail, you need to find your way to Chimney Rock—but not without unpredictable challenges ahead. This is the first installment of four books that will take you all the way to Oregon Territory—if you make the right choices. In book one of this exciting choose-your-own-trail series, it’s 1850 and your first goal is to get your family, covered wagon full of supplies, and oxen to Chimney Rock on time. But hurry—you’ll need to make it through the rugged mountains before winter snow hits. Plus, there are wild animals, natural disasters, unpredictable weather, fast-flowing rivers, strangers, and sickness that will be sure to stand between you and your destination! Which path will get you safely across the prairie? With twenty-two possible endings, choose wrong and you’ll never make it to Chimney Rock on time. Choose right and blaze a trail that gets you closer to Oregon City!
History, fiction Note: This book features some mentions of death/dying, such as a child who is poisoned by accidentally eating hemlock, a boy is trampled by mules, etc. A 14-year-old girl gets married to a 30 year old man (which would have been normal on occassion during that time period). There is nothing inappropriate (in our opinion) that is mentioned.	Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Diary of Hattie Campbell, The Oregon Trail, 1847 (Dear America) This book is available at Hoopla. Critically acclaimed and award-winning author Kristiana Gregory’s ACROSS THE WIDE AND LONESOME PRAIRIE is now back in print with a gorgeous new package! After the death of her two sisters, thirteen-year-old Hattie and her family make for a fresh start. They sell their farm in Missouri and journey across the Oregon Trail toward Oregon City. At first the adventure is exciting, but as the days, weeks, and months pass, Hattie realizes what a dangerous and tedious trip it is. As they cross the prairies, news of the fate of the Donner party reaches them, and death, disease, weather, and the terrain take a terrible toll on their traveling party. The Campbells lose neighbors and friends until they almost cannot bear to continue. But Hattie and her family must persevere or risk the same misfortune. Hattie’s diary chronicles the hardships of such a harrowing journey, but also captures the small moments, the friendships and celebrations of life, that keep hope alive.
Paid printable	The Trip West in a Covered Wagon Lap Book/Notebook Project Have you ever wondered what it took to travel the Oregon Trail or any of the other western trails during the early 19th century in America? This lap book project helps shed some light on just how much preparation went into the ordeal, not to mention an extra wagon load of information all about travelling through the Wild West!
History, nonfiction	Who Was Levi Strauss? As a young working-class German immigrant, Levi Strauss left his family’s dry goods business in New York City to journey out west for the California Gold Rush. Only Levi wasn’t looking for gold — he wanted to provide the miners with sturdy clothes to wear while they worked in the dusty river beds. His solution? Blue jeans — pants made of strong denim fabric — which have become one of the most beloved and fashionable clothing items in the world. Who Was Levi Strauss? follows the remarkable journey of this American businessman, and takes a look at how one man and a pair of pants changed fashion and the world forever.
History, nonfiction, magazine	Kids Discover Magazine: Pioneers Our kids loved these magazines! Preview the entire magazine at the link above. Pioneers, for kids, sheds light on a grueling period of American history, which will leave them grateful for the comfortable lives they lead today. Learn about “prairie schooners,” or wagons, in which every square inch of space had a function because it had to keep a family alive for months. And although many talk about battles between Native Americans and pioneers, kids will discover that these conflicts were actually few and far between, and what really threatened them was the hardship of the trail and settlement. They built houses out of whatever they could find – mostly sod and logs – then struggled to produce bounty from their land despite prairie fires, plagues of locusts, and other calamities. And yet, despite the perils, there were also pleasures for pioneers; for kids who like parties, accounts of how close-knit communities held hoedowns, raised barns, and feasted every holiday will be fun reads.
History, nonfiction	Who Was Frederick Douglass? Born into slavery in Maryland in 1818, Frederick Douglass was determined to gain freedom–and once he realized that knowledge was power, he secretly learned to read and write to give himself an advantage. After escaping to the North in 1838, as a free man he gave powerful speeches about his experience as a slave. He was so impressive that he became a friend of President Abraham Lincoln, as well as one of the most famous abolitionists of the nineteenth century.
History, a bit of science, nonfiction, graphic novel	History Comics: The American Bison: The Buffalo’s Survival Tale An American Library Association 2021 Best Graphic Novel for Children Turn back the clock with History Comics, First Second’s new nonfiction graphic novel series! In this volume, learn how millions of buffalo once roamed the American prairie―until they were nearly driven to extinction. In the early 18th century the American prairies shook under the hooves of nearly 30 million bison. Fast as a horse, tall as a person, and heavier than both combined, they roamed from coast to coast. A century later, people struggled to find a single one left alive. How did the great herds disappear, and what will it take to bring them back?
History, nonfiction	They’re Off!: The Story of the Pony Express This book is available at the Open Library. In 1860, with North and South about to be divided by war, East and West were united through an extraordinary venture — the Pony Express. Over the course of ten days in April, eighty riders and five hundred horses delivered mail between California and Missouri — a mission that took three weeks by stagecoach. Although it existed for only a year and a half, the Pony Express remains a legendary chapter in American history and a symbol of the bold, adventurous character of the Old West. The spirit of the brave riders and their ponies is captured perfectly in Cheryl Harness’s lively, brightly illustrated, and information-filled account.
History, project book, printables	History Pockets: The American Civil War We recommend the PDF version here for less $$ as it will save you money and save you from having to copy the pages for printing: Evan-Moore Another option is to get a subscription to The Teacher Filebox. A note about History Pockets: Our family loved History Pockets. If you are on a tight budget, you can skip these, because we schedule in lots of other options. However, for someone who is looking to simplify things and whose kids would like to make some good-looking projects that aren’t too in depth, History Pockets are a great option. Take a journey through time and explore the fascinating past with hands-on projects and activities in History Pockets. Students store the projects in easy-to-make construction paper pockets that are wonderful portfolios for assessment and display. You get information pages, maps, a timeline, arts and crafts projects, reading and writing connections, and evaluation forms. The teacher pages feature step-by-step project directions and photographs of the completed projects.
History, nonfiction	Eyewitness The Civil War This is an optional reference book. We love the photographs of real items. 🙂 Packed with stunning photography, Eyewitness American Civil War explores the war that turned the nation against itself. Become an eyewitness to one of the most important times in US history, in this picture-led reference guide that will take you on a visual tour of the American Civil War. Children will be mesmerized by the key events of the conflict, from brutal battles to legendary commanders. This unique, beautifully illustrated guide reveals the conflict between the North and South, of more than 50 battles, and shows both sides of the conflict in equal light. Using striking full-color photographs of paintings, artifacts and illustrations of battles, discover how tensions about slavery exploded into a war that lasted four years.
History, graphic novel	The Underground Abductor This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available via Amazon Kids+. “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…”
History, nonfiction	What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? “Four score and seven years ago…” begins Abraham Lincoln’s beautiful speech commemorating the three-day battle that turned the tide of the Civil War. The South had been winning up to this point. So how did Union troops stop General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the North? With black-and-illustrations throughout and sixteen pages of photos, this turning point in history is brought vividly to life.
History, fiction based on a true story Note: There is some violence in this book (soldiers are shot, some die, etc.).	John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy (Based on a True Story) Would you ever run off to join the army, leaving your family behind? That’s what nine-year-old John Lincoln Clem does in 1861. Determined to fight for his country, Johnny sneaks onto a train filled with men from the 3rd Ohio Union Regiment. Taken in by the older soldiers, Johnny becomes a drummer boy, and later, takes up his own musket. As the war rages on, Johnny experiences the brutalities of battle as well as the rampant illness and gnawing hunger in between. But the most dangerous part of Johnny’s journey is yet to come. Based on a true story (with pictures of the real Johnny Clem), this story brings the Civil War to life!
History, nonfiction	Who Was Clara Barton? Clarissa “Clara” Barton was a shy girl who grew up to become a teacher, nurse, and humanitarian.  At a time when few women worked outside the home, she became the first woman to hold a government job, as a patent clerk in Washington, DC. In 1864, she was appointed “lady in charge” of the hospitals at the front lines of the Union Army, where she became known as the “Angel of the Battlefield.” Clara Barton built a career helping others.  She went on to found the American Red Cross, one of her greatest accomplishments, and one of the most recognized organizations in the world.
History, science, nonfiction	The Biography of Cotton This is an optional science add-on that goes with History Pockets: The American Civil War. This book is available at the Open Library. This book is also scheduled in our Botany curriculum. If you plan to use that curriculum down the road, you may want to hang on to the book! This series of books has a good mix of geography, history, and plenty of beautiful photographs and illustrations.
History, graphic novel	Big Bad Ironclad This book is available at Hoopla. This is yet another terrific graphic novel by Nathan Hale! “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.”
History, nonfiction, poetry *Note: This book talks about the horrors of war (such as amputations and death).	O Captain, My Captain: Walt Whitman, Abraham Lincoln, and the Civil War This book is available at Hoopla as an eBook and audiobook. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. O Captain, My Captain tells the story of one of America’s greatest poets and how he was inspired by one of America’s greatest presidents. Whitman and Lincoln shared the national stage in Washington, DC, during the Civil War. Though the two men never met, Whitman would often see Lincoln’s carriage on the road. The president was never far from the poet’s mind, and Lincoln’s “grace under pressure” was something Whitman returned to again and again in his poetry. Whitman witnessed Lincoln’s second inauguration and mourned along with America as Lincoln’s funeral train wound its way across the landscape to his final resting place. The book includes the poem “O Captain! My Captain!” and an excerpt from “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d,” as well as brief bios of Lincoln and Whitman, a timeline of Civil War events, endnotes, and a bibliography.
History, graphic novel Note: This book covers Lincoln’s assisination, so there is death featured. Nothing is overly graphic, in our opinion.	Tracking an Assassin!: Nickolas Flux and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. When a spontaneous time leap sends Nickolas Flux back to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, what’s a teenage history buff to do? Join the hunt for the presidents killer, of course! From the crack of the fatal shot to the hunt for John Wilkes Booth, Nick arrives at one of the most pivotal moments in American history.
Choose 1 of the following 2 books (or both):
History, graphic novel Book 1: Major Impossible (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #9): A Grand Canyon Tale This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available via Amazon Kids+. John Wesley Powell always had the spirit of adventure in him. As a young man, he traveled all over the United States exploring. When the Civil War began, Powell went to fight for the Union, and even after he lost most of his right arm, he continued to fight until the war was over. In 1869, he embarked with the Colorado River Exploring Expedition—ten men in four boats—to float through the Grand Canyon. Over the course of three months, the explorers lost their boats and supplies, nearly drowned, and were in peril on multiple occasions. Ten explorers went in, but only six came out. Powell would come to be known as one of the most epic explorers in history!	History, graphic novel Book 2: Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons This graphic novel by JAMES OTIS SMITH celebrates the extraordinary true tales of three black heroes who took control of their destinies and stood up for their communities in the Old West. Born into slavery in Tennessee, Mary Fields became famous as “Stagecoach Mary,” a cigar-chomping, card playing coach driver who never missed a delivery. Bass Reeves, the first black Deputy US Marshal west of the Mississippi, was one of the wiliest lawmen in the territories, bringing thousands of outlaws to justice with his smarts. Bob Lemmons lived to be 99 years old and was so good with horses that the wild mustangs on the plains of Texas took him for one of their own.
History, nonfiction Note: A close friendship between Barnum and the poet Phoebe Cary is mentioned. Adultery isn’t mentioned, but it’s clear the friendship wasn’t appropriate or that possibly Cary wished it was more than it was (see p. 84). The book also talks about how Barnum became a heavy drinker (see p. 77) but overcame his addiction after listening to a sermon.	The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum This entertaining biography gives readers a front seat ticket to learning about the greatest showman on earth and how he impacted entertainment around the globe.
Picture book inspired by actual events	Coolies Although this is a picture book, it’s a memorable story for any age about the Chinese contribution to the Transcontinental Railroad. Shek marvels at the new world as he and his brother, Little Wong, arrive in California. Along with hundreds of other workers, the brothers are going to build a great railroad across the West. They plan to save enough money so that their mother and little brothers can join them in America. But as days grow into months, they endure many hardships-exhausting work, discrimination, and treacherous avalanches. Inspired by actual events, this story reveals the harsh truth about life for the Chinese railroad workers in 1865, while celebrating their perseverance and bravery.
History, fiction, graphic novel	I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 The novel format of this book is available at Hoopla. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. There is a novel format of this book available for students who don’t like graphic novels. Oscar Starling never wanted to move to Chicago. The smog, the stench, the thieves around every corner — it’s so different from his old life on the farm. Will the big city ever feel like home? But shortly after Oscar arrives, a huge fire breaks out. All of Chicago is ablaze and one thing is clear: the city is like a powder keg, ready to explode. An army of firemen tries to help, but this fire is a ferocious beast that wants to devour everything in its path. Will Oscar — and his new city and new friends — survive one of the most famous and devastating fires in history? ​​​​​​​ Lauren Tarshis’s New York Times bestselling I Survived series comes to vivid life in graphic novel editions. Perfect for readers who prefer the graphic novel format, or for existing fans of the I Survived chapter book series, these graphic novels combine historical facts with high-action storytelling that’s sure to keep any reader turning the pages. Includes a nonfiction section at the back with facts and photos about the real-life event.
Choose one of the following 2 books: (History, fiction based on some true events 1866 for Farmer Boy, 1869)
Book 1: Farmer Boy History, novel based on some true events This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available at the Open Library. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America’s frontier history and as heartwarming, unforgettable stories. The Little House series has captivated millions of readers with its depiction of life on the American frontier. While Laura Ingalls grows up on the prairie, Almanzo Wilder is living on a big farm in New York State. Here Almanzo and his brother and sisters help with the summer planting and fall harvest. In winter there is wood to be chopped and great slabs of ice to be cut from the river and stored. Time for fun comes when the jolly tin peddler visits, or best of all, when the fair comes to town. Almanzo wishes for just one thing—his very own horse—and he must prove that he is ready for such a big responsibility.	Book 2: Little House on the Prairie  History, novel based on some true events This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. The adventures continue for Laura Ingalls and her family as they leave their little house in the Big Woods of Wisconsin and set out for the big skies of the Kansas Territory. They travel for many days in their covered wagon until they find the best spot to build their house. Soon they are planting and plowing, hunting wild ducks and turkeys, and gathering grass for their cows. Just when they begin to feel settled, they are caught in the middle of a dangerous conflict.
History, nonfiction	Who Was Sitting Bull? No one knew the boy they called “Jumping Badger” would grow to become a great leader. Born on the banks of the Yellowstone River, Sitting Bull, as he was later called, was tribal chief and holy man of the Lakota Sioux tribe in a time of fierce conflict with the United States. As the government seized Native American lands, Sitting Bull relied on his military cunning and strong spirituality to drive forces out of his territory and ensure a future homeland for his people.
History, fiction Note: The following quote is in the book on p. 116: “Your Papa, he’s a good man. A good heart,” Mama said. “Most white men? They think that Chinese women are only for -for fun. They would never marry a Chinese woman.” Page 205: Hanna is accosted by a drunk man who leers at her. Nothing else happens as the scene is interrupted by a hotel owner.	Prairie Lotus This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. Prairie Lotus is a powerful, touching, multilayered novel about a girl determined to fit in and realize her dreams: getting an education, becoming a dressmaker in her father’s shop, and making at least one friend. Acclaimed, award-winning author Linda Sue Park has placed a young half-Asian girl, Hanna, in a small town in America’s heartland, in 1880. Hanna’s adjustment to her new surroundings, which primarily means negotiating the townspeople’s almost unanimous prejudice against Asians, is at the heart of the story. Narrated by Hanna, the novel has poignant moments yet sparkles with humor, introducing a captivating heroine whose wry, observant voice will resonate with readers. Includes an afterword from the author.
History, nonfiction	What Was the Children’s Blizzard of 1888? On January 12, 1888, a surprise blizzard broke out in the middle of the day across the Midwest. In its path, hundreds of children and teachers found themselves stranded inside schoolhouses with no food, no heat, and very few options. Days passed, and over 235 people died as result of the harsh snow of the Schoolhouse Blizzard, but many were able to survive thanks to the bravery of others in their communities. Learn all about the disastrous weather conditions and the people who were affected by it in this book for young readers.
Math, exponents	The Power of Snow This book is available at Hoopla. This book is available on Everand. Get 2 months free with our link. Learn about exponents (for math) in this clever picture book.
Kit for a hands-on activity	Make Your Own Root Beer Kit Choose any of the kits available on Amazon and brew some homemade root beer after learning a bit of history about this tasty drink. Our kiddos did this when we were homeschooling. It’s a fun project!
Nonfiction, graphic novel	The Industrial Revolution (Campfire Graphic Novels) Learn about the Industrial Revolution and famous people such as Gutenberg, James Watt, John Kay, James Hargreaves, Robert Fulton, Eli Whitney, Henry Bessemer, Andrew Carnagie, and Robert Ford as well as their inventions that changed the world and ushered in the modern era.
Choose 1 of the following 2 books:
Book 1: DK Life Stories: Helen Keller Biography Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing due to an early childhood illness and spent the first six years of her life unable to interact with other people. She remained isolated from the outside world until Anne Sullivan came to work as her teacher. In this biography for kids ages 8-12, learn all about Helen Keller’s amazing life and achievements–how she learned to read Braille and speak, go to college, write books, and ultimately revolutionize the world through her activism on behalf of the deaf and blind. DK Life Stories go beyond the basic facts to tell the true life stories of history’s most interesting people. Full-color photographs and hand-drawn illustrations complement thoughtfully written, age-appropriate text to create an engaging book children will enjoy reading. Definition boxes, information sidebars, fun facts, maps, inspiring quotes, and other nonfiction text features add depth, and a handy reference section at the back makes this series perfect for school reports and projects.	Book 2: Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller Biography in graphic novel format The Center for Cartoon Studies presents a wholly original take on the story of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller as part of their award-winning series of graphic novel biographies, available for the first time in paperback. Helen Keller lost her ability to see and hear before she turned two years old. But in her lifetime, she learned to ride horseback and dance the foxtrot. She graduated from Radcliffe. She became a world famous speaker and author. She befriended Mark Twain, Charlie Chaplin, and Alexander Graham Bell. And above all, she revolutionized public perception and treatment of the blind and the deaf. The catalyst for this remarkable life’s journey was Annie Sullivan, a young woman who was herself visually impaired. Hired as a tutor when Helen was six years old, Annie broke down the barriers between Helen and the wider world, becoming a fiercely devoted friend and lifelong companion in the process. In Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller, author and illustrator Joseph Lambert examines the powerful bond between teacher and pupil, forged through the intense frustrations and revelations of Helen’s early education. The result is an inspiring, emotional, and wholly original take on the story of these two great Americans.
Historical reproduction of a 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.”

Scheduled Videos
This list doesn’t include the free videos, movies, and documentaries linked in the schedule (full-length History Channel, National Geographic, and other documentaries, along with shorter YouTube videos).
The following videos are videos you may need to pay for, in order to view/stream them.

	Liberty’s Kids We used this series in our homeschool. It came out in 2002, when cartoons were less…indoctrinated. It’s an enjoyable, wholesome series that makes the American Revolution memorable.
	Felicity: An American Girl Adventure Just before the Revolutionary War, Felicity and Elizabeth’s friendshipis put to the test when Felicity’s family supports independence,Elizabeth’s family remains loyal to the king.
	The Sign of the Beaver In this coming of age survival saga, a colonial family seeks a new life in the uncharted Maine wilderness in 1768. Their hopes, dreams, and survival are put to the supreme test when 13-year-old Matt is left to protect their claim.
	Johnny Tremain America’s greatest heroes live and fight again in this adventure of our country’s struggle for independence in the 1770’s. The film authentically recreates Paul Revere’s ride, the Boston tea party, and decisive battles at Lexington and Concord.
	Justin Morgan had a Horse This movie is also available on Disney+. This movie is about the circumstances that lead to the origination of the first American Bred Horse, the Morgan Horse. This movie is also available on Disney+. Note: This movie is very different from the book. It’s quite campy, but enjoyable, especially to see the horses in action. If you watch it, discuss: How is the movie different from the book? Which presented the story the best? Optional research: What is the true story? Did the book or the movie portray the facts best?
	Seven Alone A frontier family crosses the U.S. by wagon train, hoping for a better life in the Oregon Territory.
	Little House On the Prairie Season 1 Little House on the Prairie,” based on the young adult book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, was one of the most beloved shows on television when it ran from 1974 to 1983. “Little House” told the story of the Ingalls family’s life on a Minnesota farm in the late 1800s.