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American History Reading List

1780 – 1800
the New Nation, the American Frontier, & Eli Whitney

The 1780's features the new nation at the end of the Revolutionary War. Read good books on the Constitution and American government. (Get our free President's Cabinet craft to supplement!) There are also several selections on George Washington or Daniel Boone and America's wild frontier.

The 1790's features frontier stories, as well as some tall tales. And don't forget to include Eli Whitney's cotton gin! Check out our cotton gin Craft idea to go along with your books!

Reading List Grade Levels

Download PDF Teachers Worksheets from our eBookstore!

AMERICAN HISTORY: 1780s

The American Victory (American Adventure, Book 12) by Joann A. Grote. UE-JH Christian historical fiction.

Bewildered for Three Days: As to Why Daniel Boone Never Wore His Coonskin Cap by Andrew Glass. Holiday House, 2000. E-UE
This tall tale is surrounded by Daniel Boone facts. Fun story gives a feel for Boone's childhood and adventurous, outdoorsman-like spirit on the wild American frontier.

The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz, illus. F. Rojankovsky. Puffin Books, 1958. E-UE
Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal. When her family heads West, a 10-year-old girl adjusts to being a pioneer. Easy-to-read, with black & white illustrations, describing the daily life of the early American frontier, with a nice surprise ending.

Daniel Boone by James Daugherty. Viking Press, 1939. UE-JH+
Newbery Medal. Very thorough! 90 pages tell of his life, illustrated at regular intervals.

Daniel Boone : Frontier Adventures by Keith Brandt, illus. John Lawn. Troll Assoc., 1983. UE
A little less detail than Daugherty's book on Boone for the younger UE student.

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

George Washington's Breakfast by Jean Fritz. Scholastic. E

If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution by Elizabeth Levy, illus. Joan Holub. Scholastic. E-UE

Indian Summer (An I Can Read Book) by F.N. Monjo, illus. Anita Lobel. Harper & Row, 1968. E
Quick thinking by 2 young boys helps to save their frontier family from a threatened Indian attack.

Jack Jouett's Ride by Gail E. Haley. The Viking Press, 1973. K-E
Exciting story how one man saved Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and others by riding through the night to warn them that British soldiers were coming for them.

Mary's Star a Tale of Orphans in Virginia, 1781 by Wilma Pitchford Hays, ill. Lawrence Beall Smith. Colonial Williamsburg, Inc., 1968. E-UE
Mary's father gave everything, including his life, fighting for American independence. Mary must give up all family possessions and go live with friends, but she doesn't want to give up her horse.

A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution by Betsy and Giulio Maestro. E

Shh! We're Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz, illus. Tomie de Paola. UE

This Time, Tempe Wick? By Patricia Lee Gauch, illus. Margot Tomes. Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, 1974. E-UE
Disgruntled Revolutionary War soldiers leave the ranks, and try to take Tempe's horse to get home. Amusing true story of how a young girl gets creative to keep her horse out of their hands.

AMERICAN HISTORY: 1790s

Danger Along the Ohio by Patricia Willis. Clarion Books, 1997. *UE+
Loosely based on the episodes of Indian attack & capture in early America. Three children are separated from their father in an Indian raid, and brave the forests to reunite with him. Caution: A sub-plot of one of the brothers accidentally shooting (and killing) his friend may be upsetting to sensitive children.

Duel!: Burr and Hamilton's Deadly War of Words by Dennis Brindell Fradin, illus. Larry Day. Walker & Co., 2008. E-UE
Full-page color illustrations help to tell what really happened between Alexander Hamilton & Aaron Burr, both before & after their famous duel.