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American History Reading List
America, the 1700's

1770's: The American Revolutionary War

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The I Can Read series offers several selections for the beginning reader on America's War for Independence. These are great choices to supplement revolutionary war lesson plans for the elementary grades.

Several titles are listed for notable American patriots: Paul Revere, the minutemen, George Washington, Sam Adams, & the soldiers at Valley Forge.

On the other end of the spectrum, we also list a good historical novel on Benedecit Arnold that would be especially appealing to older girls.

Reading List Grade Levels

AMERICAN HISTORY: 1770s — Revolutionary War

The Declaration of Independence, 1786-94

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The Spirit of '76, c. 1880

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Battle of Lexington, Mass., 1775, Pai...

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American Revolution

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The American Revolution (American Adventure, Book 11) by Joann A. Grote. UE-JH
Christian historical fiction.

And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? by Jean Fritz, illus. Margot Tomes. G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1973. UE

The Boston Massacre (American Adventure, Book 10) by Susan Martins Miller. UE-JH
Christian historical fiction.

The Boys of '76: A History of the Battles of the Revolution by Charles C. Coffin. 1876. JH+

Can't You Make Them Behave, King George by Jean Fritz. UE+

The Boston Coffee Party (I Can Read Book) by Doreen Rappaport, illus. Emily Arnold McCully. Harper, 1990. E
A group of women react when a merchant refuses to sell his coffee in order to drive up the price.

Buttons for General Washington by Peter and Connie Roop, illus. Peter E. Hanson. Carolrhoda Books, 1986. E-UE
This easy reader is a favorite for many boys, telling the story of a 14-year-old spy for General Washington.

Finishing Becca : A Story about Peggy Shippen and Benedict Arnold by Ann Rinaldi. Harcourt Brace and Co., 1994. JH-HS
Great choice for someone who loves novels! The story introduces us to the people and the emotions that may have influenced Arnold's traitorous actions. Well researched, with notes in the back explaining the historicity. Some mild cursing.

The Fourth of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh, illus. by Marie Nonnast. E

George the Drummer Boy (I Can Read series) by Nathaniel Benchley, illus. Don Bolognese. Harper & Row, 1977. E
A British drummer boy experiences the battles of Concord and Lexington. Not especially exciting, but a good addition to the limited books for this age group to read on their own!

George vs. George : The Revolutionary War as Seen by Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer. National Geographic, 2004. E-JH
Accompanied by many illustrations, this easy-to-read story explains the tensions between two nations that erupted into war; the roles of both Georges before, during, and after the war; and the details and consequences of major battles. Thorough and entertaining. A great overall picture of the American Revolution.

If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution by Kay Moore, illus. Daniel O'Leary. E-UE

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!

Let It Begin Here! Lexington and Concord: First Battles of the American Revolution by Dennis Brindell Fradin, illus. Larry Day. Walker & Company 2005. U-UE
Full-page, color illustrations capture attention to the riveting events of April 18-19, 1775. Includes supplementary notes on "Who's Who" and "What Happened to the People." Well Done!

Mr. Revere and I: Being an Account of Certain Episodes in the Career of Paul Revere, Esq. as Revealed by his Horse by Robert Lawson. Little, Brown, & Co., 1953, 1981. UE
Meet Paul Revere and accompany him on his patriotic and daring escapades...all told from the perspective of his horse! The horse was first the pride of His Royal Majesty, but circumstances change, and he learns that the Colonists are not what he imagined.

Paul Revere's Ride

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Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, illus. Ted Rand. Puffin. E+
The unedited poem is wonderfully illustrated for even the youngest to enjoy. Although a read-aloud for the E age, the pictures help children grasp the full meaning of the words.

Revolutionary War Leaders series See Author/Series Reviews.

Sam the Minuteman by Nathaniel Benchley, illus. Arnold Lobel. Harper & Row. E
Easy to read and understand.

Toliver's Secret by Esther Wood Brady, illus. Richard Cuffari. E-UE
Ten-year-old Ellen Toliver must deliver a secret message to General Washington. What was supposed to be a smooth assignment ends up filled with complications, and Ellen learns bravery from first-hand experience!

Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams? By Jean Fritz, illus. Trina Schart Hyman. Coward-McCann, Inc., 1974. UE
Humorous look at one of the leaders of the American Revolution, and some of the key events leading to the war.

The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777 (Dear America series) by Kristiana Gregory. Scholastic, 1996. UE
A young girl describes the impact of the army's encampment near her home. Additional historical info/pictures in the back. Well done. Caution for the sensitive: Includes amputations & hangings.