Little Kids’ Early American History Books and Resources

Welcome to the Guest Hollow’s Little Kids’ 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 Little Kids’ 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 Little Kids’ 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 Little Kids’ Early American History Curriculum 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.
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.

Sample of the booklist in the printable schedule.

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.

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. We rank the books in order of importance so you can go with the bare minimum or whatever else works best for you and your family.

You can also easily sub in books from your home library in place of similar books we scheduled. For example, in week 9 we schedule in a book about Paul Revere. If you have a book about him already that you would like to use, just plug your book in during that week instead of the one we schedule.

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

We also provide information in the booklist from the following services to help you obtain books for free or low cost when possible. We’ve done the research to save you time! Be on the lookout for links in the booklist that refer to these resources:

Amazon Kids+ provides a digital subscription for kids with thousands of books, games, videos, Alexa Skills and more.
Everand is a monthly subscription that gives you access to eBooks, audiobooks, and various documents. Get 2 months free with our link.
Hoopla is a service that lets you borrow and enjoy audiobooks, eBooks, comics, movies, TV, magazines, and music from your public library. Many libraries provide free access.
Kindle Unlimited – This is a subscription through Amazon that allows you access to Kindle books for a monthly subscription.
Open Library (or the Internet Archive) is an online library that provides access to millions of books through controlled digital lending. You can sign up for free and check out digital books just as you would from a real library.
Many of the books are also read out loud on YouTube!

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.

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 YouTube read-alouds
Some books may be available on YouTube as read-alouds. Your student can listen to these books.
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.
Use the readers for emerging readers
We schedule in a variety of readers for reading practice. Students can practice their reading skills by reading books related to the history topics they are learning.

Younger students may need you to read the books out loud or may benefit from audiobooks or readings on YouTube. Older and/or advanced students may benefit from you subbing in some of the books from our Jr. Early American History Curriculum. Because our curriculum was designed to be a buffet, there are lots of options that will allow you to customize for all your students’ needs, strengths, and weaknesses. ?

When we were homeschooling, I liked to tie together topics whenever possible. I’ve included optional science books that are related to the history topics or things mentioned in some of the history books. We’ve also found fun science experiments, printables, and videos as well.

You can use our Little Kids’ Early American History Curriculum for both history AND science, if you wish! This is the way we liked to homeschool. With Little Kids’ Early American History Curriculum, you have this option, too!

If you want to stick with just history, no worries! Just skip any of the science books or do just the ones that catch your interest.

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.

Scheduled Books and Materials

Note: There are a lot of books for this age group, because many of them are picture books or short reads. We’ve also scheduled in optional readers (for students who are learning to read or are emergent readers) and science books related to some of the history books.

The printable schedule ranks the books, so you can choose the most important ones and consider all the rest optional.

Beowulf's Early American History Adventure and Activity Book

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.

Spine book A spine book is the backbone of a study.	Beowulf’s Early American History Adventure and Activity Book This book is included for FREE with a purchase of Little Kids’ Early American History Curriculum. Have your youngest students learn about early American history with this fantastic and lavishly illustrated early reader style book full of true stories and simple activities. Beowulf’s Early American History Adventure and Activity Book is appropriate for kindergarten to 3rd grade (or “young” 4th graders who are reluctant or struggling readers). Inside the book are easy-to-understand history stories that can be read aloud by parents or silently by young readers (who are proficient but still need a simpler text). Click here for sample pages.
	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, 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. If you don’t want a subscription, some of the printables can be purchased à la carte. Note: This info may be helpful to obtain a subscription if you run into 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, fiction, Leif Erikson, European discovery of North America Note: p. 18 A sentence says that the King and Queen had their hands full fighting the “heathen” Moors. p. 34 The word “savages” is used.	Leif the Lucky This book is free at the Open Library. I absolutely love the d’Aulaire books. They were read to me as a child, and I read them to my children! “Considered one of the finest works of Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire, Leif the Lucky will delight both children and adults with the story of Leif, son of Erik the Red, who sailed with his father and a Viking crew to Greenland and then farther west to the continent of America. In this charming and lavishly illustrated edition, Leif is a sturdy, adventurous Viking boy who crosses uncharted seas to arrive at “a beautiful land with forests of strange trees growing all the way down to the shores.” Leif wrestles with polar bear cubs, watches the fierce Norse gods race in the glow of the Northern Lights, and becomes a strong and courageous hunter. Written in the spirit of the ancient sagas and rich in color and detail, Leif the Lucky is a fascinating biography of the young Viking explorer.”
History, nonfiction, voyages of discovery Note: This book mentions the stone age “twenty thousand years ago.” Young earth creationists will need to adapt the text. Note: The text in this book is going to be a bit dense and potentially difficult for the youngest students to understand. We recommend you summarize each page for little ones while looking over the beautiful illustrations together.	The Discovery of the Americas This book is on YouTube. This book is free at the Open Library. The many voyages of discovery to America are covered in this lushly illustrated book.
Choose 1 of the following 2 optional science books related to the history topic(s):
Science, nonfiction, arctic animals Arctic Tundra This book is free at the Open Library. It’s a land of riddles, where a winter night can last for weeks and where the ground is full of water though it rarely rains or snows. Bears, hares, wolves, and foxes roam the ice-crusted earth, as flowers follow the sun as it moves across the sky. Young readers may never come to the Arctic tundra, but now it can come to them―in a book chock full of fun-to-do experiments and activities for children ages 6 and up that help them to solve some of the mysteries of this strange and forbidding world.	Science, reader, arctic animals Amazing Arctic Animals This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. Why does an Arctic hare have tiny ears? To conserve heat! How does a walrus feel around for food on the bottom of the sea? With its whiskers! Learn cool facts about the arctic fox, the beluga whale, the snowy owl, and more in this book.
Native American culture, book to go with a recipe	Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story This book is on YouTube. The audiobook is available on Hoopla. Told in lively and powerful verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard, Fry Bread is an evocative depiction of a modern Native American family, vibrantly illustrated by Pura Belpre Award winner and Caldecott Honoree Juana Martinez-Neal.
History, fiction, Columbus	Columbus If it’s not available new at Amazon, you can get it here. As is their custom, the d’Aulaires have thoroughly researched their subject in order to provide the most historically accurate account of the life of the man Samuel Eliot Morrison called “the greatest mariner that ever lived.” In their pursuit, the d’Aulaires traveled to Spain, Portugal, and the Caribbean Islands to research original documents on the life of Columbus. Their text reflects many little-known facts not generally included in the typical biographies of Columbus. Readers will learn that it was the saga of Leif Erickson that was one of the inspirations for Columbus’s voyage to the East. They will also learn that Columbus was such a skilled astronomer that he knew the exact date when the next eclipse of the moon was and used that knowledge to his advantage. They will also learn that though “Columbus was a great man, he was not a modest man. He wanted too much, and so he did not get enough”. This book is lavishly illustrated with the d’Aulaire’s detailed lithographs in four colors.
Choose one of the following 2 books:
Book 1: The Very First Americans This book is on YouTube. This book is free at the Open Library. Long before Columbus landed in America, hundreds of groups of people had already made their homes here. You may have heard of some of them—like the Sioux, Hopi, and Seminole. But where did they live? What did they eat? How did they have fun? And where are they today? From coast to coast, learn all about these very first Americans!	Book 2: North American Indians This book is on YouTube. This classic, easy-to-read picture book is the perfect introduction to the first Americans, including the Seminole, Iroquois, Sioux, Hopi, and many more.
History, nonfiction, reader	Christopher Columbus (Step into Reading) This book is on YouTube. We’ve scheduled in the OLD version of this book (which is still available to purchase new or on Kindle). We recommend the old version instead of the new one due to some changes that were made in the text. Independent readers can learn about Columbus’s fateful voyage in this dramatic, easy-to-read account of a pivotal moment in American history.
Science, nonfiction	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): Coral Reefs Award-winning science writer Seymour Simon introduces elementary-school readers to one of the ocean’s most beautiful life forms—coral reefs—through wonderful descriptions and stunning full-color photographs in this nonfiction picture book. Take a deep dive under the sea and explore the world of coral reefs! How large can coral reefs grow? How do sea creatures interact with reefs? Why are coral reefs endangered and what can we do to save them? Find out and more in this beautiful and informative picture book filled with fun facts, fascinating science, and gorgeous full-color photographs. Perfect for kids interested in marine biology and saving the environment!
History, nonfiction Note: This book mentions that some men drowned and that a man was shot (no graphic details). Preview for sensitive or younger students.	Roanoke, the Lost Colony: An Unsolved Mystery from History This book is on YouTube. The audiobook is on Hoopla and Everand. In 1587 John White was chosen by Sir Walter Raleigh to lead a new colony at Roanoke off the Atlantic coast. After bringing many men, women, and children to the new land, White went back to England to gather supplies for the long winter. But when he finally returned to the fort almost three years later, he found that all of the colonists had vanished. The only signs of life left were the letters CRO carved into a tree and the word CROATOAN carved into one of the fort’s posts. Did the Spanish army capture the colonists? Did the colonists get in a battle with the native people—or join them? Did they try to follow John White to England and get lost at sea? Become a detective, study the clues, and see if you can help solve this chilling mystery from history!
Science, reader	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): National Geographic Readers: Turtles This book is on YouTube. This book is available via Amazon Kids. Take a dip with turtles in this exciting reader. Packed with beautiful and engaging photos, kids will learn all about these fantastic reptiles. This level 1 reader is carefully leveled for an early independent reading or read aloud experience, perfect to encourage the scientists and explorers of tomorrow!
History, fiction	Encounter This book is on YouTube. “Based on the real journal kept by French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1534, Encounter imagines a first meeting between a French sailor and a Stadaconan fisher. As they navigate their differences, the wise animals around them note their similarities, illuminating common ground. This extraordinary imagining by Brittany Luby, Professor of Indigenous History, is paired with stunning art by Michaela Goade, winner of 2018 American Indian Youth Literature Best Picture Book Award. Encounter is a luminous telling from two Indigenous creators that invites readers to reckon with the past, and to welcome, together, a future that is yet unchartered.”
History, fiction Note: The word “squaw” (which is currently considered to be offensive) is used in this book on pages 12 and 14.	Pocahontas This book is free at the Open Library. I loved the d’Aulaire books as a child and was thrilled to find and use them when I was homeschooling. These books are favorites of mine, and my daughter took my copies to use in her homeschool. <3 “In a lively and entertaining text and extraordinary lithographs the authors bring to life the fascinating story of Pocahontas, the Native American princess who played such a crucial role in the early days of the Jamestown settlement.”
	Jamestown Settlers TOOB and Powhatan Indians TOOB Play while learning!
History, non fiction, science, reader Note: Native women are shown bare breasted, but without “details” – so their breasts are rounded flesh with nothing else. Click here to see an example.	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): Corn Is Maize: The Gift of the Indians (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. “With simple prose and beautiful illustrations, award-winning author-illustrator Aliki tells the story of how Native American farmers thousands of years ago found and nourished a wild grass plant and made corn an important part of their lives. They learned the best ways to grow and store and use its fat yellow kernels. And then they shared this knowledge with the new settlers of America. Maize has been an important crop from its beginning as a simple grass plant to its hybridization with teosinte to new protein-rich kinds. Used by both Indians and Pilgrims as food, maize is now also used in medicines, soaps, glues, powders, and other products. Popcorn, corn on the cob, cornbread, tacos, tamales, and tortillas—all of these and many other good things come from one amazing plant: corn!”
History, fiction	Stories of the Pilgrims (also titled Pilgrim Stories) Click here for the version on Amazon, which is titled Pilgrim Stories. Here is a 99 cent Kindle version, which is titled Stories of the Pilgrims. Click here for the version sold by Christian Liberty Press. It is “updated” and has vocabulary words and comprehension questions after each chapter. Vocabulary words are bolded in the chapters. Some chapters have a writing suggestion afterwards. You can see a sample on the linked page. This book is free at the Open Library. Click here for the audiobook read by a man. Click here for the audiobook read by a woman.
History, nonfiction	. . . If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 This book is on YouTube. This book is free at the Open Library. What if you sailed on the Mayflower? A different time…a different place…What if you were there? If you sailed on the Mayflower –What could you take with you? –How would you keep clean? –What would you do when you first got to shore? Get ready to go back in time to 1620 to discover what it was like to sail the Mayflower!
History, fiction, reader	The Great Tulip Trade This book is on YouTube. Anna’s father gives her the most wonderful present for her birthday—eight beautiful tulips! But tulips in Holland in the 1600s are more precious than gold or jewels, and everyone who walks by the house wants to trade her for one!
Fiction, science and conservation	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): When The Storks Came Home This book is available at Hoopla. This book is on YouTube. When The Storks Came Home is a charming, retelling of the successful white stork reintroduction at the Knepp Estate. Beautiful illustrations help bring this powerful and important story to life, teaching children about conservation and their environment in an accessible way.
Reusable sticker book	Pilgrim House Sticker Activity Book (Dover Little Activity Books Stickers) “Reusable stickers make it easy to furnish this Pilgrim family’s cozy log cabin in a number of different ways. Just add peel-and-apply illustrations of Mom, Dad, and their children; as well as a butter churn, dried corn, decorative wreath, fireplace bellows, foodstuffs, animals, plates, candles, baskets, tables, and more. 43 reusable stickers and a play scene on the inside covers.”
Choose 1 of the following 2 books:
History, fiction, lots of great photos Book 1: Sarah Morton’s Day This book is on YouTube. This book is available at Hoopla. At sunup when the cockerel crows, young Sarah Morton’s day begins. Come and join her as she goes about her work and play in an early American settlement in the year 1627.There’s a fire to build, breakfast to cook, chickens to feed, goats to milk, and letters and scripture to learn. Between the chores, there is her best friend, Elizabeth, with whom she shares her hopes and dreams. But Sarah is worried about her new stepfather. Will she ever earn his love and learn to call him father?	History, fiction Book 2: Thanksgiving on Plymouth Plantation (The Time-Traveling Twins) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. This book was a huge hit with one of our kids back in the day. He really loved the pictures and enjoyed such features like the “then and now” pages on Thanksgiving foods. Wouldn’t it be great to be part of that famous Thanksgiving feast at Plymouth Plantation back in 1621? Then join the Time-Traveling Twins as they sit down to an enormous FOUR-DAY feast, complete with puddings, pompions, pottages, and, of course, turkeys. Meet Squanto and the other Native Americans. Help with the harvest. Find out what it was like to be a Pilgrim. Once again, historian Diane Stanley’s fun and impeccably researched text is brought to life by Holly Berry’s accessible illustrations. Word balloons, engaging characters, and all sorts of wonderful details about the beginning of this American tradition await the lucky adventurer who journeys back with the Time-Traveling Twins.
Thanksgiving themed reader(s)	Choose 1 of the following readers: Happy Thanksgiving, Tiny! This book is on YouTube. Gobble Up, Snoopy!: Ready-to-Read Level 2 This book is on YouTube. The First Thanksgiving (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) This book is on YouTube.
Science	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): One Small Square: Woods We used this series of books in our homeschool. I like all the beautiful illustrations. This book is scheduled in so students can learn about forests when learning about the French and Indian War (since much of that war was fought in the forests of Early America).
Art Note: This books also features fantasy creatures like a witch, dryad, etc.	Optional art book: How to Draw Cute Woodland Friends This kids’ how-to art book lets the inquisitive child experience the woodland world through drawing. Each spread—drawn in Angela’s trademark playful style—offers a step-by-step guide to drawing adorable animals (badgers, bears, and bugs), fungi, ferns and flowers, grasses, rock-dwelling creatures, and forest trees.
History, nonfiction Note: The text in this book is going to be a bit dense and potentially difficult for the youngest students to understand. We recommend you summarize each page for little ones while looking over the beautiful illustrations together.	Struggle for a Continent: The French and Indian Wars: 1689-1763 This book is free at the Open Library. As early as 1630, Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands had settlements or colonies in North America. Always looking for ways to expand their territory, these European nations were constantly at war with one another over trade, borders, and religious differences. Beginning in 1689, their conflicts in Europe spread across the Atlantic to America. Over the next seventy years, competing European powers would battle for control of the New World. The winner would take the prize — all of North America. Struggle for a Continent tells the riveting story of the French and Indian Wars seventy-four years of fighting that determined the destiny of the future United States.
History, fiction	Ticktock Banneker’s Clock This book is on YouTube. This book is available at Hoopla. Throughout his life, Benjamin Banneker was known and admired for his work in science, mathematics, and astronomy, just to name a few pursuits. But even when he was born in Maryland in 1731, he was already an extraordinary person for that time period. He was born free at a time in America when most African Americans were slaves. Though he only briefly attended school and was largely self-taught, at a young age Benjamin displayed a keen aptitude for mathematics and science. Inspired by a pocket watch he had seen, at the age of 22 he built a strike clock based on his own drawings and using a pocket-knife. This picture book biography focuses on one episode in a remarkable life.
Choose 1 of the following 2 books:
History, fiction Book 1: The Matchlock Gun This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. The audiobook is available at Hoopla. Note: This book contains descriptions of Indians that may be considered outdated by today’s readers. It also features violence (a mother gets a tomahawk in her shoulder, 3 Indians are shot to death). Do not choose this book if you are offended by historical views of natives or are uncomfortable about a gun being used in self defense. Preview for younger or sensitive students. A Newbery Medal Winner In 1756, New York State was still a British colony, and the French and the Indians were constant threats to Edward and his family. When his father was called away to watch for a raid from the north, only Edward was left to protect Mama and little Trudy. His father had shown him how to use the huge matchlock gun, an old Spanish gun that was twice as long as he was, but would Edward be able to handle it if trouble actually came? This classic, first published in 1941, has an updated, kid-friendly format that includes the original black-and-white illustrations.	History, fiction Book 2: The Courage of Sarah Noble This book is free at the Open Library. The audiobook is available at Hoopla. This book is available on Everand. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is on YouTube. Note: p. 21 A boy says the Indians will “chop off your head” and “skin you alive.” while teasing Sarah. “In this Newbery Honor book classic, young Sarah learns how to be brave even when the world is strange and new. In 1707, young Sarah Noble and her father traveled through the wilderness to build a new home for their family. “Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble,” her mother had said, but Sarah found that it was not always easy to feel brave inside. The dark woods were full of animals and Indians, too, and Sarah was only eight! The true story of Sarah’s journey is inspiring. And as she cares for her father and befriends her Indian neighbors, she learns that to be afraid and to be brave is the greatest courage of all. The New York Times Book Review described this book as one “to be long remembered for its beautifully written simplicity and dignity.”
Choose one of the following 2 options:
History, nonfiction Book 1: If You Lived in Williamsburg in Colonial Days This book is free at the Open Library. A different time… A different place… What if you were there? More than 200 years ago, two thousand people lived in the town of Williamsburg, Virginia. If you lived back then… What would your house look like? What games and sports would you play? Would you go to school? What happened when you were sick or hurt? This book tells you what it was like to grow up in colonial days, before there was a United States of America.	History, nonfiction Book 2: If You Lived in Colonial Times This book is on YouTube. (We schedule the YouTube videos, since you can’t purchase the book new anymore.) This books is free at the Open Library. This is the book we used in our homeschool. You can’t buy this book new anymore, but you can find lots of used copies and can check out several copies at the Open Library. It’s also read aloud on YouTube. If you lived in colonial times –What kind of clothes would you wear? –Would you go to school? –What would happen if you didn’t behave? This book tells you what it was like to live in the New England colonies during the years 1565 to 1776.
History, fiction	Benjamin Franklin This book is available for free at the Internet Archive. Recommended by: The American Library Association The Child Study Association National Council for the Social Studies Details the life of this famous American from his boyhood as one of the youngest of seventeen children, to his teen years as an apprentice in his brother’s print shop and his later years as an inventor, statesman, diplomat, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Children and adults alike will enjoy learning about the fascinating life Franklin led from the lively text and beautiful illustrations of this d’Aulaire classic.
Paid printable	Optional (a free lapbook is also scheduled as an option): Lap-Pak: Benjamin Franklin The *Benjamin Franklin* Lap-Pak takes a look at this “Renaissance man” through reading text and hands-on projects that reinforce lessons in creative ways. Included are 12 lap booking project topics that incorporate coloring and drawing, as well as basic cutting skills and opportunities for penmanship for younger elementary students. The reading text comes in two formats to print, resulting in full-size pages of text for a binder, or a 24-page booklet to store with the lap book. Also provided is the text on audio, so your child can read along with the narrator or color the pictures while listening! Beautifully detailed masters are provided for all printable projects! Step-by-step illustrated directions contain printing and assembly instructions for the text booklet, each project, and the lap book assembly.
Choose 1 of the following 2 books:
History, nonfiction, reader Book 1 for a younger reader: Ben Franklin and His First Kite This book is on YouTube. This book is free at the Open Library. Learn all about the childhood of one of America’s founding fathers in this nonfiction Level 2 Ready-to-Read! Ten-year-old Ben Franklin finds working in his father’s candle shop boring—he’d much rather be doing experiments. He can’t wait to try out his latest idea. With nothing but a simple kite, can Ben get across the pond—without swimming a single stroke?	History, nonfiction, reader Book 2 for an older reader: Ben Franklin and the Magic Squares This book is on YouTube. A funny, entertaining introduction to Ben Franklin and his many inventions, including the story of how he created the “magic square.” A magic square is a box of nine numbers arranged so that any line of three numbers adds up to the same number, including on the diagonal! Teachers and kids will love finding out about this popular teaching tool that is still used in elementary schools today!
Optional science book related to the history topic(s) – Choose 1 of the following 2 books:
For a younger child: Oscar and the Bird: A Book about Electricity (Start with Science) This book is on YouTube. This book is free at the Open Library. When Oscar the kitten finds a tractor in a field and accidentally turns on the windshield wipers, he is full of questions about electricity. Luckily, Bird knows the answers! With the help of his friend, Oscar finds out how electricity is made and stored, which machines need electricity to work, and why we always need to be careful around wires, batteries, plugs, and sockets. 2nd option for a younger child: Switch On, Switch Off (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) It seems like magic! It’s not—it’s electricity. But how does a light actually work? In this clear and simple book learn all about electricity, how it’s produced, and how it can be used.	For an older child: The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip This book is on YouTube. This book is free at the Open Library. Small enough to squeeze through power lines, Ms. Frizzle’s class learns how electric current travels through the town, lights up a light bulb, heats up a toaster, and runs an electric motor. Fans of the Magic School Bus won’t be left behind by this simple and informative introduction to the generation and distribution of electricity.
History, art, handwriting	Draw Write Now, Book 5 Beginning drawing and writing lessons for children ages five to ten. The unit study in BOOK 5 is on The United States. First, it covers the fundamental principles for which the United States stands, then shows the westward growth of the nation. The book is simple enough for a young child to do independently, or a teacher or parent may present the lessons. Each drawing lesson includes a colorful picture and step-by-step instructions, while the writing lesson includes four simple handwritten sentences. The teacher or parent may introduce letter formation or have the children copy the sentences for handwriting practice, or use lessons as springboards for creative writing or report writing.
History, fiction	Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin This book is on YouTube. This book is available on Hoopla. This book is available at Everand. “Today Benjamin West is remembered because he was the father of American painting; and many like to think of him as the only American ever to become President of the Royal Academy of England. But I like to remember him as the boy who wanted so very much to paint that he dug his colors out of the ground and made his brushes from his cat’s tail.”–Marguerite Henry Benjamin West grew up in a deeply religious Quaker family, where Quaker beliefs forbid the creation of images. But little Benjamin was born with an extraordinary gift–a gift of creating paintings of people, animals, and landscapes so true to life they “took one’s breath away.” How Benjamin’s dilemma is solved makes for a delightful biography enhanced with Henry’s whimsical illustrations.
History, nonfiction Note: p. 39 states: “Loyalists could be arrested – and even hanged – for treason.”	If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution This book is free at the Internet Archive. This book is on YouTube. If you lived at the time of the American Revolution –What started the American Revolution? –Did everyone take sides? –Would you have seen a battle? Before 1775, thirteen colonies in America belonged to England. This book tells about the fight to be free and independent.
History, biography	And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? This book is on YouTube. This book is available at Hoopla as an eBook and as a movie. This book is free at the Open Library. A true American story for young readers by the Newbery-Honor winning author! Everyone knows about Paul Revere’s midnight ride. But not everyone knows the harrowing details and narrow escapes that occurred along the way. This timeless and witty book highlights little-known facts about patriot Paul Revere.
Toy	Revolutionary War Continental Army TOOB and Revolutionary War British Army Designer TOOB Learn and play!
History, nonfiction, reader	John Adams Speaks for Freedom: Ready-to-Read Level 3 John Adams didn’t enjoy traveling. He much preferred to stay home with his wife and children. But John Adams also had a dream: He wanted to see the thirteen colonies free from English rule. He wanted to see the creation of a new country — the United States of America. John Adams did whatever was needed to make his dream come true.
History, biography	Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? This book is free at the Open Library. This book is at Hoopla as an audiobook and a movie. 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
History, biography	Why Don’t You Get a Horse, Sam Adams? This book is free at the Open Library. This book is at Hoopla as an audiobook. This lively biography, by Newbery Honor-winning author Jean Fritz, is a nice, personal look at a leader and his times. In early America, when all the men wore ruffled shirts and rode grandly on horseback, one man refused to follow suit. He was the rebel leader Sam Adams, a plainspoken gent who scorned ruffles, refused to ride a horse, and had little regard for the King.
Science, nonfiction	Optional science: National Geographic Readers: Gallop! 100 Fun Facts About Horses Packed with weird-but-true facts and tons of equestrian animal info, this Level 3 Reader gallops right into the world of horses–from wild ponies to superstar racers to the shared history of humans and horses.
History, fiction	George Washington This book is free at the Open Archive. “He was born in a little red brick house that his father had built on the oyster-shell hill. By that time so much land had been cleared that the wilderness was far in the distance.” So begins the simple and inauspicious life of George Washington, a backwoods Virginia boy destined to become the Father of His Country. Meticulously researched, the d’Aulaires hiked and camped all over Virginia as they imbibed the spirit of this great man. The story follows his growth from young boy to surveyor, to soldier in the French and Indian War where he became a war hero. Then George courted Martha Custis and after their marriage they built a plantation at Mount Vernon. Then we see Washington lead his troops through the dark and hungry days of the Revolution. By exhibiting courage and integrity he inspired the same in his men. Beautiful stone lithograph illustrations bring the story to life for readers young and old.
History	George Washington’s Teeth This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. A rollicking rhyme portrays George Washington’s lifelong struggle with bad teeth. A timeline taken from diary entries and other nonfiction sources follows. The information in this book was actually quite fascinating!
Choose 1 of the following 2 optional science books:
Book 1: The Tooth Book: A Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. Taking good care of your teeth and gums is an important part of maintaining overall health. After all, you need your pearly whites to eat, smile, and talk. But what should you expect when you go to the dentist? What should you do if you lose a tooth? Full of straightforward advice and animated, colorful art, as well as some bite-sized bits of history and lore, this guide provides accessible information about taking care of your teeth. The much-needed dental advice in this book is both timely and accessible to today’s children.	Book 2: Fireflies in the Night (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. Read and find out about fireflies in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book. A warm and approachable introduction to the magical firefly. As a 5-star review puts it: “The best book around about fireflies. Wonderful story and lovely illustrations, a real keeper!” “Clearly written
History, nonfiction	A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. When America declared its independence in 1776, the new republic’s journey to become one unified nation had just begun. Here is the unforgettable story of fifty-five Americans and the Constitution they created in 1787 to give the struggling new government a foundation that has held ever since. “A simple, attractive, informative book about a milestone in American history. The simplest and most accessible history of the Constitution to date.”—School Library Journal
Nonfiction	Kids Have Questions Too! What Does the U.S. Constitution Say? This 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, 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 Jonathan Edwards – Christian Biographies for Young Readers
	Alexander Hamilton: From Orphan to Founding Father This book is on YouTube. Did you know that one of our Founding Fathers was not born in America? An orphan from the West Indies, Alexander Hamilton came to the colonies and played an important role in the Revolutionary War, rising to become General George Washington’s right-hand man. But his accomplishments don’t stop there! He helped obtain the ratification of the Constitution; he was America’s first secretary of the treasury; and he established the first national bank and the U.S. Mint. A man of ambition, loyalty, and principle, he is now being celebrated as the prominent patriot he was. Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics—for children who are ready to read on their own.
History, nonfiction	Who Was Daniel Boone? Called the “Great Pathfinder”, Daniel Boone is most famous for opening up the West to settlers through Kentucky. A symbol of America’s pioneering spirit Boone was a skilled outdoorsman and an avid reader although he never attended school. Sydelle Kramer skillfully recounts Boone’s many adventures in this book!
Science Note: This book mentions millions of years ago on p. 20. It mentions 30,000 years on p. 32.	Optional science book: National Geographic Readers: Bears This book is available at Hoopla (as a narrated read-along). Get ready for a walk on the wild side in this image-packed book all about bears! Kids will learn about different kinds of bears, where they live, and what they do. This level 3 reader is written in an easy-to-grasp style to encourage the animal lovers of today and scientists of tomorrow!
History mixed with tall tales, a mention of the War of 1812	Johnny Appleseed This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. This fun picture book has been a favorite for generations. Bursting with energy and perfect for reading aloud at home or in the classroom, Johnny Appleseed is an excellent choice for story time. “The brief text combining legend with fact, coupled with the picture book format, makes this life of Johnny Appleseed the most accessible and entertaining one available for young children,” according to School Library Journal.
Nonfiction, reader	Choose a Johnny Appleseed reader: Johnny Appleseed: Ready-to-Read Level 1 This book is on YouTube. or Johnny Appleseed (Penguin Young Readers, Level 3) This book is on YouTube. or Johnny Appleseed: My Story (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) This book is on YouTube.
Science	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): How Do Apples Grow? This book is free at the Open Library. Read and find out about how apples grow in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book. Questions addressed in this book include: Did you know that when you bite into an apple, you’re eating part of a flower? Why do apple trees need bees to make apples? How does the tree feed the gorwing apples and make them ready to eat? Read and find out in the proven winner How Do Apples Grow!
History, nonfiction	Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the True Story of an American Feud This book is on Hoopla as an audiobook. This book is on YouTube. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were good friends with very different personalities. But their differing views on how to run the newly created United States turned them into the worst of friends. They each became leaders of opposing political parties, and their rivalry followed them to the White House. Full of both history and humor, this is the story of two of America’s most well-known presidents and how they learned to put their political differences aside for the sake of friendship.
History, fiction Note: Chapter 6 (The Sun Dance) has a bit of a “gory description.” Quote: “It was not very pleasant to watch them making gashes in their skin so that the leather thongs might slip through, but they must show how brave they could be.” If you are doing this as a read aloud to a really young or sensitive child, you could always just skip over a few small sections and not lose anything of the story.	Sacagawea: American Pathfinder (Childhood of Famous Americans) This book is on Everand. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This is a gentle introduction to Sacagawea’s life. The book is set mostly in her childhood with the last sections describing some of the exploration with Lewis and Clark. The book glosses over her kidnapping and subsequent “marriage” to the French trapper Charbonneau, but that’s to be expected for the intended age group. I think it’s a good story overall and will give students a peek into another culture and way of living.
History, nonfiction, reader	National Geographic Readers: Sacagawea This book is on YouTube. Explore one of the most recognized figures in American history with this biography of Sacagawea. Kids will learn about her crucial role in the Lewis and Clark expedition and her influential legacy. The level 3 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging, information for independent readers.
Science, nonfiction Note: This book mentions biollions of years a couple of pages.	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): The Moon Book (New & Updated Edition) This book is available at Hoopla as an audiobook. This book is on YouTube. An up-to-date, clear and interesting introduction to our magnificent moon from the the award-winning author of science books for children. Shining light on all kinds of fascinating facts about our moon, this simple, introductory book includes information on how the moon affects the oceans’ tides, why the same side of the moon always faces earth, why we have eclipses, and more.
History, nonfiction	How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis and Clark This book is on YouTube. Appealing art and descriptive text bring Lewis and Clark alive for young adventurers. Carefully chosen text from Lewis and Cark’s actual journals opens a fascinating window into this country’s exciting history.
Reader, nonfiction	Lewis and Clark: A Prairie Dog for the President (Step into Reading, Step 3) This book is on YouTube. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sends Lewis and Clark out west to explore. He tells them to make maps. He tells them to draw pictures and collect plants. Most importantly, he tells them to send presents! What kind of present is good enough for a president? Beginning readers will truly enjoy reading about this fun and little-known slice of American history.
Science, nonfiction	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): A Walk in the Prairie This book is available via Hoopla. This book is available at Everand as an ebook and audiobook. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is on YouTube. Take a walk in the prairie. This land of all grass and open sky is full of life. You can hear the warbling song of a meadowlark. At your feet, a grasshopper munches on a flower stem. How do the plants and animals of the prairie depend on one another for survival? Through narrative text, striking photos, and illustrations, discover a world of tall grasses and wildflowers that creatures from butterflies to badgers call home.
Lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner	The Star-Spangled Banner (Reading Rainbow Books) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. The audiobook is available at Everand. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book will be read after the one below. Caldecott Medalist Peter Spier’s magnificent tribute illustrates the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner. It’s a must-have for every American family’s library.
History, nonfiction, reader	Francis Scott Key’s Star-Spangled Banner (Step into Reading) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. “Francis Scott Key was a very busy man. He and his wife had 11 children. He was a lawyer and many people came to him for advice. But whenever he had a moment, he would jot down a line of poetry. He loved writing poems. When the War of 1812 broke out, Francis became even busier. He was well-respected and often called upon to help keep the peace as the war between the United States and England raged on. One fateful night Francis and his friend helped talk the British Navy into releasing a prisoner of war. But they couldn’t return home just yet because the Battle of Fort McHenry was starting! If the British captured the fort, America might very well lose its independence. Francis and his friends could only sit on a boat and observe the battle. For 25 hours they watched in awe. What Francis saw inspired him to write a poem that would become America’s national anthem! “
Science	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): The Sky Is Full of Stars (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. Read and find out about stars and stargazing in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.
Choose 1 of the following 2 books:
History, fiction based on a true story Book 1: The Town that Fooled the British: A War of 1812 Story This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on Hoopla. This book is on YouTube. St. Michaels, Maryland, is a town of shipbuilders whose reputation for crafting powerful schooners carries far beyond the shores of young America. And once the War of 1812 starts, that’s not necessarily a good thing. For the British have targeted the town as part of their campaign to defeat America in its fight to maintain its independence. And now, in August of 1813 the British fleet is sailing up the Chesapeake River to St. Michaels. The town’s militia is assembled but no one expects they can win the fight against the powerful British cannons. Citizens are being evacuated and the town is in turmoil. All young Henry Middle wants to do is find his father amid the chaos of the coming attack. The lanterns he carries will be of use to the militia. As Henry works to conquer his rising fear, he realizes he may hold the answer to outsmarting the British in his very hands.	History, nonfiction Book 2: Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library This book is on YouTube. 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 as well as his massive contribution to the Library of Congress.
History, nonfiction	Pioneer Life from A to Z This book is free at the Open Library. Detailed illustrations show intriguing objects used by the hardworking pioneers. Photos help demonstrate how things were made the old-fashioned way such as churning butter and spinning material from wool. Fascinating items include: – ear trumpets – rag rugs – yokes – zoetropes, and more!
History	The Quilting Bee This book is free at the Open Library. This book is available on Hoopla. This book is on YouTube. Welcome to the quilting bee! With the help of popular author/illustrator Gail Gibbons, you’ll learn how quilts are made and discover their fascinating history as well as lots of fun facts.
Science, nonfiction	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): From Sheep to Sweater This book is free at the Open Library. This book is available via Hoopla. This book is available at Everand. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is on YouTube. How does sheep’s wool turn into cozy clothing? Follow each step in the production cycle―from shearing a sheep to pulling on a warm sweater―in this fascinating book! Learn how a variety of objects are made or how nature’s cycles work―from Start to Finish. Suitable for both struggling and on-level readers, these titles teach science concepts as well as sequential thinking.
Fairy-tale/fable style fiction set in the 1830s Note: A man dies (no details), a “bad” character plans to stuff the cat with sawdust (but the cat escapes), an evil character is run over by a train (no details). This is all told “fairy tale” style.	The Blue Cat of Castle Town This book is free at the Open Library. This book is available at Everand as an ebook and audiobook. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is available at Hoopla as an ebook and audiobook. This book is on YouTube. The audiobook is available for free at LibriVox. This is a lyrical fable set in a real town in Vermont in the 1830s. Students will look at the actual quilt that inspired the story. This is not one of the easier books to get through (although it’s fairly short), but we’ve alwasy been proponents of exposing children to high quality literature, even at a young age. The blue cat will likely draw your students into the story, even though much of the symbolism will be beyond them. We’ve scheduled in fun crafts and activities to go with the book. “An imaginative, poetic, and often amusing story, written with great skill.” — Kirkus Reviews This is the story of the blue cat sent by the river to restore the days of Bright Enchantment, when there was beauty and peace and contentment in people’s hearts. But now a dark spell is enveloping Castle Town, brewing an obsession with gold and possessions. The river’s song declares that riches and power will fade, while the beauty of handmade crafts endures, and the blue cat must find a mortal who will not only listen to the song but also sing it. Inspired by the real-life artistry of 19th-century Vermont crafters, this charmingly illustrated 1950 Newbery Honor winner continues to captivate young dreamers.
Science, nonfiction	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): What Cat Is That?: All About Cats This book is on YouTube. he Cat in the Hat learns all about cats—wild and domestic—in this feline-focused Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library book! Traveling aboard his Kitty-Cat-Copter, the Cat takes Sally and Nick to meet lions in Kenya, tigers in Bangkok, Siamese down the block—learning along the way those traits that all cats share: scratchy tongues, padded paws, sensitive wiskers, sharp claws, and those things unique to different species. With information about the anatomy and behavior of well-known species and breeds—including lions, tigers, leopards, cheetah, jaguar, ocelots, cougar, American shorthair, Persian, Siamese—and lesser-known ones, like clouded leopards, caracals, Turkish Vans, Scottish folds, American curls, Raga Muffins, and more—there’s something here for cat/Cat lovers of all kinds!
	National Geographic Kids Cats Sticker Activity Book Purr-fect for kitty lovers everywhere, this interactive and educational sticker book is jam-packed with 1,000+ of the most adorable cat stickers, from cuddly kittens to the coolest cat breeds to famous felines! With mazes, spelling and pattern games, drawing activities, and more, kids are sure to be me-wow-ed!
Reader, history, nonfiction	Davy Crockett: A Life on the Frontier (Ready-to-Read Level 3) This book is on YouTube. People said that when Davy was born he weighed more than two hundred pounds! They also said he saved the world from a comet by grabbing its tail, twirling it around, and sending it back into the sky. These stories are just myths, but Davy did have an amazing life. Here is the real story of Davy Crockett, fearless soldier and leader who always stood up for what he believed in. A special section in the back of the book includes a time line of Davy Crockett’s life.
History, nonfiction	The Alamo (Lightning Bolt Books ® — Famous Places) This book is available via Hoopla. This book is available for free at the Open Library. Did you know that Davy Crockett fought in a famous battle at the Alamo? From behind the walls of the fort, Americans fought for independence. Thousands of people still visit the Alamo to honor those brave men who died there. What happened at that battle? And why do people still say, “Remember the Alamo?” Read this book to find out!
Reader, nonfiction	Welcome to Texas With information about the state’s animals, plants, regions, food, people, customs, and fun places to visit, this tribute to Texas is the perfect gift for vacationers and residents alike. The warm, bright illustrations highlight the many delights to be found throughout the state, and the easy-yet-informative details (“Texas is BIG! It’s the second-largest state in the USA”) give just the right amount of information to kids.
Science	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): Milk: From Cow to Carton (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Book) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. Beloved children’s author Aliki takes readers on a guided tour that begins with grazing cows, proceeds through milking and a trip to the dairy, and ends with some different foods made from milk. This is a fun-filled and informative explanation of milk’s trip from green grass, to cow, to a cool glass on the table. This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids.
History, fiction Note: In chapter 4, Kirstin’s friend Marta dies of cholera. Preview for sensitive or younger students. You can skip the chapter (or summarize it a bit) if you do the book as a read-aloud for a student who would be upset by it.	Meet Kirsten (American Girl: Kirsten, 1854) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube (you have to hunt around for all the chapters). Kirsten Larson and her family arrive in America in 1854, after a long sea voyage. Everything looks so different from the life Kirsten knew back in Sweden–the ways people talk and dress seem strange! Getting lost in a big city and parting with her best friend only add to Kirsten’s worry. Will she ever feel at home here? It is only when the Larsons arrive at a tiny farm on the edge of the frontier that Kirsten believes Papa’s promise–America will be a land filled with opportunity for them all.
Choose 1 of the following 2 books:
Tall tale to introduce the history behind the telegraph Book 1: Jackrabbit McCabe and the Electric Telegraph This book is on YouTube. The fastest man in the West meets his match in this deliciously clever original tall tale. With his extra-long legs, Jackrabbit McCabe can outrun anything on the American frontier: horses, trains, and even twisters. So of course, everyone in the town of Windy Flats always counts on his speed when a message has to get out fast. Then something new comes to town: the telegraph, which can send Morse code messages with the speed of electricity. At first, no one believes the newfangled contraption can deliver a message quicker than Jackrabbit. . . . But in a race between man and machine, who will be left in the dust?	History, nonfiction Book 2: Samuel Morse, That’s Who!: The Story of the Telegraph and Morse Code This book is available via Hoopla. This book is on YouTube. Back in the 1800s, information traveled slowly. Who would dream of instant messages? Samuel Morse, that’s who! Who traveled to France, where the famous telegraph towers relayed 10,000 possible codes for messages depending on the signal arm positions―only if the weather was clear? Who imagined a system that would use electric pulses to instantly carry coded messages between two machines, rain or shine? Long before the first telephone, who changed communication forever? Samuel Morse, that’s who!
History, fiction	Rescue on the Oregon Trail (Ranger in Time #1) This book is available via Amazon Kids. This book is available via Hoopla. This book is on YouTube (you have to hunt around for all the chapters). “Meet Ranger! He’s a time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble . . . and always saves the day! Ranger has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog but can’t officially pass the test because he’s always getting distracted by squirrels during exercises. One day, he finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam’s family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail, and soon after Ranger arrives, he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done, but the Oregon Trail can be dangerous, and the Abbotts need Ranger’s help more than they realize!”
Choose 1 of the following 3 books:
Book 1: What Was the Gold Rush? This book is on YouTube. 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. “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!”	Book 2 (for the youngest students): Pedro’s Pan: A Gold Rush Story This book is available via Hoopla. This book is available at Everand (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is on YouTube. “Though the story is humorous and the protagonist playful, there is some meaty geology and history to be mined within, including information on iron pyrite (aka fool’s gold: ‘Drat!’) and how to pan for gold. Souva’s illustrations employ geometric shapes and a muted palette, investing Pan with appealing personality via eyebrows, eyes, and mouth. Backmatter expands upon the story for readers curious to know more. While the book is sure to appeal to educators, especially those teaching about the various gold rushes in western American history, the amusing adventures of Pan and Pedro hold broad appeal for read-alouds with many and varied audiences beyond the classroom. A sweet little nugget of a story.” —Kirkus Reviews
History, reader Book 3: Chang’s Paper Pony (I Can Read Level 3) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. This is a story of hard work and how honesty paid off for a little Chinese immigrant in the 1850s. It’s the time of the gold rush, and Chang has come with his grandfather to California from China. Chang’s dream is to own a horse of his own. With luck … and a little gold dust … that wish just might come true.
Science Note: This book mentions billions of years in several places. Young earth creationists will want to do it as a read-aloud or with discussion.	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Rocks, Minerals & Shells This book is available at Hoopla. Discover how rocks are formed, the three kinds of rocks, and the difference between rocks and minerals. Learn how rocks and minerals are used in art, architecture, industry, and science. Then journey to the oceans to explore seashells and the amazing animals that once inhabited them. Packed with more than 200 stunning photos, including closeups of each specimen, this colorful book showcases breathtaking natural sites such as the Giant’s Causeway and human-built structures such as the Great Wall of China.
Science	Choose a rock kit from Amazon. Get one that has an assortment of rocks, minerals, and fossils, if possible.
History, fiction	Apples to Oregon: Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the Plains This book is available as an audiobook via Hoopla. This book is available as an audiobook at Everand (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is on YouTube. When Papa decides to pull up roots and move from Iowa to Oregon, he can’t bear to leave his precious apple trees behind. Or his peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, and pears. Oh, and he takes his family along too. But the trail is cruel. First there’s a river to cross that’s wider than Texas, then there are hailstones as big as plums, and then there’s even a drought, sure to crisp the cherries. Luckily Delicious (the nonedible apple of Daddy’s eye) won’t let anything stop her father’s darling saps from tasting the sweet Oregon soil. A hilarious tall tale from the team that brought you Fannie in the Kitchen that’s loosely based on the life of a real fruiting pioneer.
History, nonfiction, reader	National Geographic Readers: Frederick Douglass This book is available via Hoopla. This book is on YouTube. Discover the world of one of America’s most celebrated abolitionists, writers, and orators in this inspirational biography of Frederick Douglass. Kids will learn about his life, achievements, and the challenges he faced along the way. The Level 2 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging, information for independent readers.
Science, history	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): Camas & Sage: A Story of Bison Life on the Prairie This book is free at the Open Library. In Camas and Sage: A Story of Bison Life on the Prairie, kids are invited to explore and discover the northern plains in a truly unique way: through the eyes and ears of a bison calf. From Camas’s first attempt to stand on wobbly legs, this tale of an adventure-filled first year will have young readers hooked. Full-color illustrations splash across the page, illuminating each of Camas’s firsts, including encounters with rascally prairie dogs, a crackling and booming thunderstorm, and irritable bulls. Kids won’t want to wait to turn the page to see what happens next! Seasoned writer Dorothy Patent doesn’t leave anyone out of the fun. Sidebars brimming with interesting historical and natural history tidbits about the plants, animals, and humans with which the bison shares the prairie will intrigue older kids and adults. Part fun narrative, part natural history, Camas and Sage: A Story of Bison Life on the Prairie clearly illustrates why the bison is North America’s most iconic prairie animal.
History, biography Note: This book mentions Indians and white men shooting at each other. It mentions how Indians killed some men.	Buffalo Bill This book is free at the Open Library. The d’Aulaires have captured the allure of one of America’s frontier icons in the drama of their lush lithographs and in a text that brings to life the story of the fearless and wild Buffalo Bill. William F. Cody was born in the middle of the nineteenth century on the plains of Kansas Territory where his family had settled to trade with the friendly Kickapoo Tribe. The Kickapoo children were Bill’s childhood playmates and at a tender age he traded his brand-new buckskin suit for a little wild pony that he learned to ride like the wind. By the time he was twelve, he was doing the work of a grown man as a cattle driver, camping under the stars each night. When he was caught in a buffalo stampede his horsemanship saved his life. Travel along with Bill and his adventures that included meeting wilderness scout Kit Carson, signing up to carry mail on the new Pony Express, fighting in the Civil War, and performing in his Wild West Show which took him around the country for forty years.
History, reader	Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express (I Can Read Level 3) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. A story about Buffalo Bill and his exploits as a pony express rider in 1860.
History, nonfiction	FREE: Core Knowledge: The Civil War This free book presents the Civil War in an age-appropriate manner and comes with a free teacher’s guide.
History, fiction	Abraham Lincoln This book is free at the Open Library (note: this version doesn’t have page numbers). This book is on YouTube. In honor of the 75th anniversary of the 1940 Caldecott Medal award this edition reintroduces readers young and old to America’s most beloved President through exquisite illustrations made from the original lithographic proofs the authors created in 1939. This delightful biography traces Lincoln’s life from his birth in the Kentucky wilderness, to his shop-keeping days in New Salem, becoming a lawyer in Springfield, and his eventual election as President. Woven throughout are his legendary adventures, his humor and wit, and stories you won’t read anywhere else. Of our nation’s historical icons, Lincoln is the quintessential embodiment of American possibility in his mythic-like rise from rail-splitter to Chief Executive and Emancipator of the oppressed. The admiration felt by Americans for Lincoln’s humble integrity, his noble statesmanship, and his keen sense of justice, is beautifully captured in the illustrations and text.
History, reader Note: A boy lies to keep the fleeing slaves from being captured.	The Drinking Gourd (Rise and Shine) (I Can Read Level 3) This book is available at Hoopla as an ebook and audiobook. This book is available as an ebook and audiobook at Everand (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is on YouTube (look through the results to find the right version). “The stars of the Big Dipper have led a runaway slave family to Deacon Fuller’s house, a stop on the Underground Railroad. Will Tommy Fuller be able to hide the runaways from a search party—or will the secret passengers be discovered and their hope for freedom destroyed? This Level 3 I Can Read book is a captivating first-person historical fiction account of the Underground Railroad, narrated by Tommy, a ten year-old Quaker boy,. With beautiful, simple prose that folds in historical facts about slavery and the Civil War, this book makes this important period of American history accessible to beginning readers. Includes an afterword from the author F.N. Monjo that explains the historical context of the Fugitive Slave Law.”
History, fiction	Civil War on Sunday (Magic Tree House Book 21) This book is on YouTube. Cannon fire! That’s what Jack and Annie hear when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the time of the American Civil War. There they meet a famous nurse named Clara Barton and do their best to help wounded soldiers. It is their hardest journey in time yet—and the one that will make the most difference to their own lives!
History, reader Note: A soldier dies in this story.	Brave Clara Barton (Step into Reading) This book is on YouTube. “Meet a woman who outgrew her childhood shyness to became a fearless “Angel of the Battlefield”! This Step 3 biography follows Clara Barton as she helps her brother recover from a terrible injury, overcomes her timidity, and works as a teacher, and finally fights her way to the front lines of the Civil War, where she helps soldiers wounded in battle. Clara’s story is a testament to the strength, grit, and persistence of women; Clara Barton is a role model who transcends history. Frank Murphy provides little known anecdotes about Clara’s life and journeys with easy-to-read, lively writing. Sarah Green’s lovely and delicate illustrations render Clara’s life in an appropriate and approachable way for young readers. Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics. For children who are ready to read on their own.”
Science Note: This book contains descriptions of injuries and how to possibly treat them.	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): First Aid (A True Book: Survival Skills) Learn basic survival skills and connect with nature! Knowing how to treat injuries is a skill that every outdoor adventurer needs. Did you know that you can splint a broken finger using only tape? Or that cool water is the first step to treating a burn? Learn all this and more in First Aid ― a book that gives kids the confidence they need to get outside and explore.
Tall Tale	Paul Bunyan This book is FREE at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. A funny retelling of the tallest of tall tales, the rollicking adventures of Paul Bunyan and his great blue ox, paired with the extravagant and lively illustrations of Steven Kellogg. Perfect for read-alouds full of laughter! Do you know who was the largest baby ever born in the state of Maine? What about who dug the Great Lakes? Or who gouged out the Grand Canyon? Why, it was Paul Bunyan, of course, America’s finest, fastest, funniest lumberman and favorite folktale hero! In this engaging tale, beloved children’s author Steven Kellogg combines exuberant illustrations with a hysterical text to create a truly legendary tale.
History, reader	From Slave to Soldier: Based on a True Civil War Story This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. Johnny loves his uncle and his master’s mule, but he hates being a slave. So when he’s asked to join the Union army, he accepts. Being a soldier is hard work, and Johnny wonders if he made the right choice. But when the army needs him, Johnny knows it’s up to him to come to the rescue!
Science, history	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): The Bluest of Blues: Anna Atkins and the First Book of Photographs This book is available at Hoopla. This book is on YouTube. A gorgeous picture book biography of botanist and photographer Anna Atkins–the first person to ever publish a book of photography After losing her mother very early in life, Anna Atkins (1799–1871) was raised by her loving father. He gave her a scientific education, which was highly unusual for women and girls in the early 19th century. Fascinated with the plant life around her, Anna became a botanist. She recorded all her findings in detailed illustrations and engravings, until the invention of cyanotype photography in 1842. Anna used this new technology in order to catalogue plant specimens—a true marriage of science and art. In 1843, Anna published the book Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions with handwritten text and cyanotype photographs. It is considered the first book of photographs ever published. Weaving together histories of women, science, and art, The Bluest of Blues will inspire young readers to embark on their own journeys of discovery and creativity.
Science	Optional kit to go with the book above: Sunprint kit About this item Contains twelve 4″ x 4″ sheets of sunprint paper and a Plexiglas overlay. This Plexiglas overlay helps press objects such as leaves flat in contact with the paper to insure a good print. Developed by educators at the Lawrence Hall of Science, Sunprints encourage an interest in the photographic process using only sun, water, and a bit of imagination. Place a fern, flower, or other object on the special paper and set it in the sun briefly. Then rinse the paper in water and watch as a beautiful long-lasting image appears. Developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, California

History, reader	The Long Way to a New Land (I Can Read Level 3) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. The year is 1868 and Sweden is a barren land of poverty and famine. Carl Erik and his family receive a letter from an uncle in America. The uncle realizes that the Erik family is near the end of their rope, and encourages them to move abroad to make a new life. The family sells all their personal items and begins a long trek across land and sea to America…
History, nonfiction	Cowboys (All Aboard Books) This book is on YouTube. Learn all about the day-to-day life of a cowboy in the Old West, from round-ups and trail drives to meals around the campfire and nights under the stars.
Science	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): National Geographic Readers: Snakes This book is available via Amazon Kids+. This book is on YouTube. They’re SSSSLITHERY! SLIPPERY! They creep us out! But get to know them and you’ll find snakes private, quiet types who just want a cool, shady place to call home. From the tip of their forked tongues, to skin that sheds, to the rattles on certain tails, these creatures have secrets all kids will love. Cool photos and fun facts slip us inside their surprising world.
History, fiction, reader	The Long Way Westward (I Can Read Level 3) This book is available on Everand. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is available via Hoopla. This book is on YouTube. The Long Way Westward relates the experiences of two young brothers and their family, immigrants from Sweden, from their arrival in New York through the journey to their new home in Minnesota.
History, fiction	Little House in the Big Woods This book is free a the Internet Archive. This book is available on Everand as an ebook and audiobook. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is available at Hoopla as an ebook and audiobook. This book is on YouTube. Told from four-year-old Laura’s point of view, this story begins in 1871 in a little log cabin on the edge of the Big Woods of Wisconsin. Laura lives in the little house with her pa, her ma, her sisters Mary and Carrie, and their trusty dog, Jack. Pioneer life is sometimes hard for the family, since they must grow or catch all their own food as they get ready for the cold winter. But it is also exciting as Laura and her family celebrate Christmas with homemade toys and treats, do the spring planting, bring in the harvest, and make their first trip into town. And every night they are safe and warm in their little house, with the happy sound of Pa’s fiddle sending Laura and her sisters off to sleep. And so begins Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved story of a pioneer girl and her family. The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers and listeners as both a unique glimpse into America’s frontier history and a heartwarming, unforgettable story.
	Laura Ingalls Pioneer Family Paper Dolls These are so cute!
History, fiction, readers	Optional readers: Choose 1 or more of: My First Little House Book Series Some of these book are free at the Open Library. Some of these books are on YouTube (you can search for them individually). With the My First Little House picture book series, the youngest readers can share in the joy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books in these beautifully illustrated adaptations of the beloved series!
Choose 1 of the following 2 books:
History, fiction Book 1: Coolies This book is on YouTube. 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, nonfiction Book 2: Locomotive This book is available at Hoopla as a read-along (interactive ebook). This book is on YouTube. The Caldecott Medal Winner, Sibert Honor Book, and New York Times bestseller Locomotive is a rich and detailed sensory exploration of America’s early railroads, from the creator of the “stunning” (Booklist) Moonshot. It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America’s brand-new transcontinental railroad. These pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving; and the thrill of travel from plains to mountain to ocean. Come hear the hiss of the steam, feel the heat of the engine, watch the landscape race by. Come ride the rails, come cross the young country!
Science	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder This book is available on Everand as an ebook and audiobook. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is available via Hoopla. Celebrate the magic of snowflakes with this insightful and beautiful book about the science of snow. How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow.
History, reader, based on a true story Note: This book mentions that a mom died.	Wagon Wheels, Level 3 This book is on YouTube. Based on a true story, Wagon Wheels tells a powerful and overlooked story of the country’s post-Civil War era. Formerly enslaved Ed Muldie and his family travel to Kansas in 1878 to claim land under the Homestead Act. Mother dies on the journey from Kentucky. The family joins a free Black community in Nicodemus, Kansas. They survive a difficult winter thanks to help from the Osage Native community. But in spring Daddy must leave the boys to find better land for farming. The two older boys, eleven and eight, take care of their three-year-old brother in these difficult times. Then a letter arrives via Pony Express. Daddy has settled and gives the boys a map to follow. The three boys must begin their own journey. They must care for one another as they travel 150 miles on foot to join him in their new home.
Science	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): Choose 1 of the following: Book 1: Chicks & Chickens This book is on YouTube. This book is available on Everand as an audiobook. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). The audiobook version is on Hoopla. This book is on YouTube. Note: This books says “Chickens evolved from wild jungle fowl in Southeast Asia.” Book 2: Where Do Chicks Come From? (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube.
History, science, reader	Optional science book (mixed with history): Thomas Edison: Lighting the Way (I Can Read Level 2) This book is available on Everand as an audiobook. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is available via Hoopla. Learn about the life of Thomas Edison in this early reader biography. Most people today know Thomas Edison as the inventor of the light bulb—except, he isn’t! In Edison’s time, other inventors were working on the light bulb, but no one could figure out how to keep the light bulb lit. This is where Edison came in. Read and find out all about the real story of Thomas Edison’s life and his many amazing inventions, like the movie camera and the battery for an electric car!
Science and history	What Makes a Blizzard? (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) This book is available at Hoopla. Read and find out about blizzards in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book. What happened in the winter of 1888? A huge blizzard hit the midwestern United States! All blizzards are snowstorms, but not all snowstorms are blizzards. What is the difference? How much snow falls during a blizzard? How fast are the winds? How cold does it get during a blizzard? Read and find out!
Science	Blizzard in a box science kit After reading about the blizzard of 1888, your students can make their own blizzard of polymer snow and perform 9 science experiments!
History, nonfiction Note: Ka’iulani’s mother dies in the story and her own death is mentioned at the end of the book.	The Last Princess : The Story of Princess Ka’iulani of Hawai’i This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. The day she was born, bells rang joyously and cannon fired noisy salutes–at last there was an heir to the Hawai’ian throne. But although this beautiful young princess worked tirelessly to prepare herself to rule, and fought bravely to protect the rights of her beloved people, she would never be queen.
Reader, history, science Note: This book mentions “60 million years ago.”	Reader: Volcanoes! (National Geographic Readers) This book is free at the Open Library. This book is available on Everand as an audiobook. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is available at Hoopla as an audiobook and an ebook. The cool story of volcanoes will intrigue kids and adults alike. Hot melted rock from the middle of our planet forces its way up through cracks in the Earth’s crusts, exploding violently and sometimes unexpectedly in volcanic fury that can terrorize populations for months, even years. Anne Schreiber’s narrative gives readers a little of the science, a little of the history, and a lot of the action. National Geographic photography fires the imagination on dramatic spreads alive with vivid images of lava, ash, molten rock, weird rocks, and steaming seawater.
History, fiction	Twister on Tuesday (Magic Tree House Book 23) This book is on YouTube. An adventure to blow you away! That’s what Jack and Annie get when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the 1870s. They land on the prairie near a one-room schoolhouse, where they meet a teenage schoolteacher, some cool kids, and one big, scary bully. But the biggest and scariest thing is yet to come!
Science	Optional science book related to the history topic(s): Tornadoes! (New & Updated Edition) This book is on YouTube. What in the world is a tornado? In this age of extreme weather, this newly updated edition of Gail Gibbons’ informative introduction to tornadoes, with safety tips included, answers that question. Tornadoes form when hot, humid air rises from the ground and meets with the cooler, denser air that is falling back to Earth. The two airstreams begin to swirl, pulling in more and more air to form a funnel-shaped cloud. The winds can swirl faster than 261 miles per hour! Newly revised and vetted by weather experts from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Tornadoes is an accessible introduction to this fascinating phenomenon. Using her praised combination of clear text and detailed illustrations, Gail Gibbons shares more than fifty tornado facts. . . . including how tornadoes form, the scale used for classifying them, and the safest places to go in case one should happen near you.
	Tornado tube bottle connector This is used in a science experiment.
	Choose any LCD writing tablet for kids. This is used as a modern day slate your student can use after reading about a one-room schoolhouse (and slates).
History, biography, reader	Helen Keller: The World at Her Fingertips (I Can Read Level 2 This book is available on Everand as an audiobook. Click here (get 60 days for free when you join via our link). This book is available via Hoopla. This book is on YouTube. Learn about the inspiring life of Helen Keller in this early reader biography. When Helen Keller was a baby, she became sick and lost her ability to see and hear. Although many people doubted her ability to persevere, Helen did not let any obstacle stop her from achieving many things in her amazing life. This book covers some of the well-known and inspiring milestones of Keller’s life—it’s a great supplement for book reports on this iconic historical figure. It also covers some of the lesser-known fun facts—did you know that Helen Keller was a long-time dog lover? This biography reader includes a timeline, historical photographs, and information about Braille.
History, nonfiction	The Story of the Statue of Liberty This book is free at the Open Library. This book is on YouTube. Here is a fascinating and comprehensive history of this beloved American landmark, from the first sketch to the final unveiling celebration. Since she was erected in New York Harbor in 1886, the Statue of Liberty has welcomed millions of immigrants to the New World, a beautiful symbol of hope and freedom. But the story really begins 15 years earlier, when the French sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi visited New York to plan the statue he would later present to the American people as a gift from France.
History	A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat This book is on YouTube. From highly acclaimed author Jenkins and Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator Blackall comes a fascinating picture book in which four families, in four different cities, over four centuries, make the same delicious dessert: blackberry fool. This richly detailed book ingeniously shows how food, technology, and even families have changed throughout American history.

	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. There is some violence, so it may not be appropriate for the youngest viewers. Preview with this in mind.
	Disney’s American Legends A compilation of four cartoons based on America’s heroes and legends.
Note: Click here for a Common Sense Media review of this movie. Make sure you read through the parent’s comments about the movie to be aware of potentially offensive content and potentially scary scenes. This movie may not be appropriate for younger students or some families.	An American Tail A family of Russian mice emigrate by boat to America in 1885- but young son Fievel is lost overboard, washes ashore, and experiences thrilling adventures traveling to find his parents in this animated family classic.

Literature-based history that’s engaging and fun!

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