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A Select List of Books For Children and Young Adults
Nonfiction Books About the Early Days1776 by David McCullough (Simon & Schuster, 2005)
High school/adult
Explore the events that created the United States with this noted historian and scholar. In 1776, readers are introduced to the Georges: George Washington and England’s George III. Younger readers (grades 4-6) can explore the same men in a playful, but thoughtful, book by Rosalyn Schanzer entitled George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both Sides (National Geographic, 2004).
Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George? By Jean Fritz*, illustrated by Tomie de Paola (Putnam, 1977)
Ages 8-11, grades 4-6
Primary sources combined with text and illustration to provide a light look at the life of King George III.
* Jean Fritz has a series of short, highly illustrated books that take a lighthearted look at some of the early figures that figured prominently in the formation of the United States. Books by historian David McCullough provide an in-depth examination of some of the same people, contextualizing them for high school to adult readers.
Now is Your Time: The African-American Struggle for Freedom by Walter Dean Myers (HarperCollins, 1991)
Ages 11-14, grades 6-9
History combines with the individual biographies to bring light to African Americans who contributed to the formation of the United States. Primary sources are used in this well-researched book which continues through the 20th century Civil Rights Era.
Slumps, Grunts, and Snickerdoodles: What Colonial America Ate and Why by Lila Perl (Clarion, 1979) OP
Ages 9-12, grades 4-7
Ever wondered what might have been for dinner back when the United States was new? Find out in this playful but informative examination of what, why, and how early residents of the continent ate.
Hasty Pudding, Johnnycakes, and other Good Stuff: Cooking in Colonial America by Loretta Frances Ichord, illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis (Millbrook, 1998)
Ages 8-11, grades 3-6
How and what foods were prepared in Colonial times—long before refrigerators or microwaves were conceived—is the subject of this fascinating book. A look at regional recipes spices up the mix, adding a multicultural dimension.
If You Lived in Colonial Times by Ann McGovern, illustrated by June Otani (Scholastic, 1992 edition)
Ages 8-11, grades 3-6
A question followed by an answer about everyday life in the Colonial period brings history to life as modern children relate to familiar experiences and activities.
Books and Websites About the Era of Thomas JeffersonThe Journals of Lewis and Clark by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, edited by Bernard DeVoto (Mariner Books, 1997 edition with an introduction by Stephen Ambrose)
High school to adult
Contemporary spelling, highly-readable typeface, and editorial notes makes the Lewis and Clark chronicle of the westward expedition accessible to modern readers.
Off the Map: The Journals of Lewis and Clark edited by Peter and Connie Roop, illustrated by Tim Tanner (Walker, 1988)
Ages 11-13, grades 5-8
Judicious editing and careful formatting synthesizes the many volumes of Lewis and Clark journals, providing a sense of the primary source material while allowing younger readers entrée into the time and place.
How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis and Clark by Rosalyn Schanzer (National Geographic Children’s Books, 1997)
Ages 8-12, grades 4-6
Fusing and simplifying information and events from the Lewis and Clark journals, the expedition is presented in a highly-illustrated, well sourced, and dramatic volume for younger readers.
Sacajawea by Joseph Bruchac (Silver Whistle, 2000)
Ages 12-14, grades 7-9
In a well-imagined and thoroughly researched novel, the Lewis and Clark expedition—and its people—to life. Alternating narrations between Sacajawea, the Shoshone interpreter, and of William Clark, add suspense.
Thomas Jefferson was the President of the United States when Lewis and Clark headed west. He was also very interested in fossils and mastodon bones! Read about the Thomas Jefferson Fossil Collection (housed at the Academy of Natural Sciences – the Natural Science Museum -- in Philadelphia, PA) at: www.ansp.org/museum/jefferson/index.php
Books and Websites About the Era of James MadisonBegin an exploration of Madison and his time with a website:
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=570
This thorough introduction to James Madison and the War of 1812 includes lesson plans and has extensive links to related, authoritative websites.
Flames in the City: A Tale of the War of 1812 (Time Spies series) by Candice Ransom (Mirrorstone, 2008)
Ages 8-11, grades 4-6
Travel back in time with the Time Spies as they witness the War of 1812 and help Dolley Madison in this time-travel fantasy.
A Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation by Catherine Allgor (Holt, 2006) High school/adult
A sophisticated, lively look at the wife of the fourth president; the times in which she lived; and her impact on the period and an emerging country.
Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy by Ian W. Toll (Norton, 2006)
High school/adult
The development of the Navy in the 18th and 19th centuries sheds light on the political climate and history of the United States, and dramatically clarifies the War of 1812.
Books and Websites About the Era of James MonroeThe Papers of James Monroe: A Documentary History of the Presidential Tours of James Monroe, 1817, 1818, 1819 Volume 1 (Greenwood, 2003) and The Papers of James Monroe: Selected Correspondence and Papers 1776-1794 Volume 2 (Greenwood, 2006) both by Daniel Preston and Marlena Delong
Many of Monroe’s papers and correspondences appear in these two volumes.
A Comprehensive Catalogue of the Correspondence and Papers of James Monroe by Daniel Preston (Greenwood, 2000).
Monroe’s voluminous papers are housed in libraries and colleges in the U.S. and in Britain, but have been indexed here together under one cover.
www.ashlawnhighland.org/What's%20New.html
A visit to James Monroe’s Virginia home may be done virtually or in person.
http://millercenter.org/scripps/onlinereference/bibliographies/monroe
The Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia has compiled a comprehensive bibliography of Monroe’s life, times, and the major issues with which he dealt.
Books and Websites About the Era of Andrew JacksonDavy Crockett Saves the World by Rosalyn Schanzer (HarperCollins, 2001)
Ages 8-12, grades 4-6
Davy Crockett was a larger-than-life figure, especially in these rollicking tall tales based on Crockett’s almanacs. In real life, he frequently bumped heads with President Andrew Jackson, especially about Indian removal.
Inside the Alamo by Jim Murphy (Delacorte, 2003)
Ages 11-14, grades 6-9
An authoritative account of the fierce fight for a small piece of land in Texas. Davy Crockett was among the well known people who fought there.
www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2959.html
Under President Andrew Jackson, Indians were removed from their homes. Read about it, including the text of the letter of protest from Cherokee Chief John Ross to the U.S. government at this website.
Voices from the Trail of Tears edited by Vicki Rozema (John F. Blair, 2003)
High school to adult
Primary sources, voices of the Cherokee people who had developed a written language, are used to illuminate this sad saga in American history.
Books and Websites About the Era of William Henry Harrisonhttp://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/harrison
William Henry Harrison served as President for only thirty-two days. Read about his short tenure at this website of the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.