Suggested
Grade Levels

K = Kindergarten
(Picture Books)

E = Elementary:
Grades 1-3
(detailed Picture Books
& easy reading)

E-UE = (books for
younger, fluent readers)

UE = Upper Elementary:
Grades 4-6

JH = Junior High:
Grades 6-8

HS = High School:
Grades 9-12

+ = "and up"

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American History Booklist -- 1600's

Our U.S. History Book List includes literature for children and teens based on important people and events in a typical study of United States history. The titles are organized chronologically from pre-1600 to the 20th century and include both fiction and nonfiction. The complete list is divided into several pages, so click on the menu to the left for selections from other time periods or historical eras.

Each book is linked to one of our affiliates, primarily so you can see pictures, further description, and more information. If you choose to purchase, please consider doing so through one of these links! Thanks for your support!

1600-1610
1620's
1630's
1680's
1690's

Suggested Grade Levels
K = Kindergarten(Picture Books) E = Elementary: Grades 1-3 (Detailed Picture Books & Easy Reading) E-UE = (Books for Younger, Fluent Readers)	UE = Upper Elementary: Grades 4-6 JH = Junior High: Grades 6-8 HS = High School: Grades 9-12 + = "and up"

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.

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.

American History: 1620s

If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 by Anna McGovern, illus. Anna DeVito. Scholastic, 1991.

A Journey to the New World: The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple, Mayflower, 1620 (Dear America Series) by Kathryn Lasky. E-UE

The Landing of the Pilgrims (Landmark Books) by James Daugherty. Random House. UE

The Mayflower Adventure (The American Adventure #1) by Colleen L. Reece. UE-JH
Christian historical fiction.

The Mayflower Secret (Trailblazer Books) by Dave & Neta Jackson. E-JH
Christian historical fiction. William Bradford.

Miles Standish: Plymouth Colony Leader (Colonial Leader series) by Susan Martins Miller. Chelsea House, 2000. UE+
Covers the Pilgrims' reasons for leaving England, their journey, & their settlement. Miles Standish did not share their faith, but became their trusted leader and friend. Well illustrated.

Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving by Ann Mcgovern, illus. Elroy Freem. Scholastic, 1993. K-E

Plymouth Pioneers (The American Adventure #2) by Colleen L. Reece. UE-JH
Christian historical fiction.

Samuel Eaton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy by Kate Waters, photos by Russ Kendall. Scholastic, 1993. K-E
Photos of costumed interpreters at Plimouth Plantation in Massachusetts give a realistic glimpse of a pilgrim's daily life. Based on real people from the original settlement.

Sarah Morton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl by Kate Waters, photos by Russ Kendall. Scholastic, 1989. K-E
Photos of costumed interpreters at Plimouth Plantation in Massachusetts give a realistic glimpse of a pilgrim's daily life. Based on real people from the original settlement.

Squanto and the First Thanksgiving Joyce K. Kessle, illus. Lisa Donze. Carolrhoda Books, 1983. E-UE+
Simple story with plenty of detail. Covers Squanto's background, the Pilgrims' faith & struggles in the new land, Squanto's help, and the two cultures celebrating Thanksgiving together. Well done.

Squanto And The Miracle Of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas. Tommy Nelson. K-E
This beautiful picture book includes the spiritual side of Squanto's story.

Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims by Clyde Robert Bulla. E-UE

Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchac, illus. Greg Shed. Silver Whistle.Harcourt, 2000. E+
Explains how Squanto knew English so well! Large, real-life illustrations accompany the story behind the Indians experiences in early New England. Coverage of Thanksgiving & the Pilgrims is minimal.

Stories of the Pilgrims by Margaret B. Pumphrey, revised by Michael J. McHugh
Original version available FREE as an e-book from The Baldwin Project website.

The Story of the Pilgrims by Katharine Ross, illus. Carolyn Croll. Random House, 1995. K-E
Starts in England & ends at Thanksgiving. Especially appealing to the younger child.

Thanksgiving on Thursday (Magic Tree House) by Mary Pope Osborne. Random House, 2002. E-UE
Book #27 from an easy-to-read, fun series. Jack and Annie travel back to 1621 and meet Squanto at Plymouth Colony.

The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh, illus. Helen Sewell. E
Caldecott Honor.

Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness. Bradbury Press, 1992 K-E
Large, colorful illustrations for the younger ones, detail in the back for the older. Follows a real family to America on the Mayflower, showing the challenges after they arrive. (Minimal coverage on their religious reasons for coming—parents may want to provide further explanation.) Recommended!

American History: 1630s

Dream Seekers (The American Adventure #3) by Loree Lough. UE-JH
Christian historical fiction.

Fire by Night (The American Adventure #4) by Colleen L. Reece. UE-JH
Christian historical fiction.

American History: 1680s

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. HS
The story of Puritan society and their less-than-kind treatment of an adulterous woman. A classic.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. UE+
Orphaned Kit moves to New England to live with her Puritan aunt and uncle, and finds it difficult to adjust to their stern ways. Befriending a woman who is rejected by the community as a witch results in more trouble than she could have imagined.

American History: 1690s

Hostage on the Nighthawk: Governor William Penn (Trailblazer Books) by Dave & Neta Jackson. E-JH
Christian historical fiction. William Penn.

If You Lived in Colonial Times by Ann McGovern, illus. June Otani. E-UE

Madeleine Takes Command by Ethel C. Brill, illus. Bruce Adams. Bethlehem Books. UE+
Set in French Canada, Madeleine and her 2 younger brothers are part of a small group left at the fort when the Iroquois attack. Based on a true story.