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American History Reading List

1770's
Colonial Life & the Founding Fathers

Our not-to-miss historical fiction for 1770s — Colonial Life is Johnny Tremain. The Felicity book series in this era is written especially for girls.

The next section, 1770s — Founding Fathers, has many reading choices, but The Many Rides of Paul Revere shows us a whole new side to one of our American heroes, and is suitable for the older elementary (and up) student.

Reading List Grade Levels

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AMERICAN HISTORY: 1770s — Colonial Life

A Flag for Our Country by Eve Spencer; Alex Haley, Gen. Ed; illus. Mike Eagle. Steck Vaughn Co., 1993. E
The story of Betsy Ross that has been passed down by her family. Nicely done.

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham, illus. John O'Hara Cosgrave II. Houghton Mifflin Co., ©1955/83. UE+
Newbery Medal. Set in a New England sailing community c. 1776, this is an amazing tale of a boy who rose up from humble beginnings to change the system of navigation for the ships of the world. Courage, honesty, bravery, and hard work are all portrayed in the life of Nathan Bowditch.

The Felicity Series (American Girl): Meet Felicity, Felicity Learns a Lesson, Felicity's Surprise, Happy Birthday, Felicity!, Felicity Saves the Day, and Changes for Felicity by Valerie Tripp. The Pleasant Co. 1991. E-JH
Six books based on the life of a fictional American girl in 1774, written especially for girls.

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes, illus. Lynd Ward. Houghton Mifflin Co., 1943, 1971. UE-JH+
Newbery Medal. The simmering tensions of the American colonies under British rule provide the background to this story of a boy's courage and determination to rise above his circumstances. Woven into the story line are several major events and faces of early America. Great reading!

Welcome to Felicity's World, 1774: Growing Up in Colonial America (The American Girls Collection series). Pleasant Co. UE-JH
Expanding on the Felicity series, this book illustrates and explains many facets of the typical way of life of her time period and location.

AMERICAN HISTORY: 1770s — Founding Fathers

Washington Crossing the Delaware, 1851

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Patrick Henry

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George Washington

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The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin by James Cross Giblin, illus. Michael Dooling. Scholastic Press, 2000. E+
Very thorough in capturing important facts, yet including enough flair and illustrations to keep reader interest high. Additional notes in the back describe his inventions and his many quotes. Recommended!

America's Paul Revere by Esther Forbes, illus. Lynd Ward. UE

Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by his Good Mous Amos by Robert Lawson. E-UE

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

George Washington by Cheryl Harness. National Geographic, 2000. E-UE
Well-illustrated picture book with longer paragraphs and a detailed text.

George Washington: A Picture Book Biography by James Cross Giblin, illus. Michael Dooling. Scholastic. UE+
Full color illustrations on every page enhance a well-told account of Washington's life.

James Madison and Dolly Madison and Their Times by Robert Quackenbush. Pippin Press, 1992. E-JH
Easy-to-read and thorough biography. Each 2-page spread includes a full of page of text with a full-page, 4-color, cartoon-style illustration.

The Many Rides Of Paul Revere by James Cross Giblin. Scholastic, 2007. E-JH
His famous "one if by land" ride was just the tip of the iceburg in Paul Revere's achievements and influence. Fascinating account not only of his life, but also events in and around the American Revolution. Illustrated with period artwork & photographs.

The Revolutionary John Adams by Cheryl Harness. National Geographic, 2003. E-UE
In telling the life story of this amazing man, this book also does a great job explaining why and how America became an independent nation, and chronicles events during the first years of its foundation. Well illustrated and very detailed. Recommended.

Thomas Jefferson by Cheryl Harness. National Geographic, 2004. E-UE
Well illustrated picture book with longer paragraphs and a detailed text.

Thomas Jefferson: A Picture Book Biography by James Cross Giblin, illus. Michael Dooling. Scholastic Inc., 1994. UE+
Full color illustrations on every page enhance a well-told account of Jefferson's life.

What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? by Jean Fritz.