Click here for
DISCOUNT prices
on a wide selection
of homeschool resources!

Early American History Reading List

1600–1610

(including the Jamestown Colony & Pocahontas)

Books on the Jamestown colony, Pocahontas, & Captain John Smith dominate this category, but don't miss the book Miracle: The True Story of the Wreck of the Sea Venture. This tale is not as well known, especially by kids, but is a fascinating piece of Jamestown history! As a side note, it is said that Shakespeare based his play The Tempest on the event, so consider reading the play at the same time.

Reading List Grade Levels

Download PDF Teachers Worksheets from our eBookstore!

American History: 1600-1610

The Double Life of Pocahontas by Jean Fritz, illus. Ed Young. UE+
This story is loaded with historical information.

Jamestown by James E. Knight, illus. David T. Wenzel. E-UE

John Smith: English Explore and Colonist, Colonial Leaders series, by Tara Baukus Mello. Sr. Consulting Editor Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. Chelsea House Publishers, 2000. UE+
This series tells the whole story, before and after famous events, in an easy-to-read format and with enough illustrations to keep reader interest high.

Miracle: The True Story of the Wreck of the Sea Venture by Gail Langer Karwoski. Darby Creek Publishing, 2004. UE-JH
Fascinating story of the ship on its way to Jamestown that wrecked off the coast of Bermuda. Read of the ingenuity of the survivors, and their role in the settlement at Jamestown when they finally arrived there. Plenty of sketched illustrations. It is said that Shakespeare based his play, The Tempest, on this event, so consider reading a book on that at the same time!

Our Strange New Land : Elizabeth's Jamestown Colony Diary, Book One (Dear America) by Patricia Hermes. Scholastic Inc., 2000. UE
A young girl's perspective of moving from England with her family to help start the new colony at Jamestown. The sequels (in order) are: The Starving Time and Season of Promise.

Pocahontas by Ingri & Edgar D'Aulaire. E-UE+
The D'Aulaires' books are richly illustrated, historically thorough, and entertaining.

Pocahontas and the Strangers Clyde Robert Bulla, illus. Peter Burchard. Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1971. E-UE
The American legend written for children. Plenty of sketched drawings to illustrate.

Pocahontas: Girl of Jamestown (Native American Biographies) by Kate Jassem, illus. Allen Eitzer. E-UE
Informational story of her entire life. Single-color illustrations.