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American History Booklist - 1860-1900
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!
AMERICAN HISTORY: 1800s — Slavery
See also WORLD: 1770's: The Runaway's Revenge (Trailblazer Books) Amistad Rising: A Story of Freedom by Veronica Chaqmbers, illus. Paul Lee. Harcourt Brace & Co., 1998. E-UE* A captivating story in a picture book, although the *content may be too intense for the younger child. Tells of the 1839 mutiny of a slave ship by its imprisoned slaves, and the resulting court cases in America to determine whether the slaves should be returned to their Spanish captors or allowed to go home to West Africa. Amos Fortune: Free Man (Puffin Newbery Library) by Elizabeth Yates, illus. by Nora S. Unwin. E.P. Dutton, 1950. UE-JH+ Newbery Honor. The true story of a king's son who at 15 is captured from his African home and sent to America as a slave. Amos overcomes his circumstances and prospers, gaining freedom for himself and for several others as well. The Drinking Gourd: A Story of the Underground Railroad (An I Can Read Book) by F.N. Monjo. E A young boy finds runaway slaves hiding in his barn, and helps them on their way. Escape from Slavery (The American Adventure # 16) by Norma Jean Lutz. UE-JH Christian historical fiction. Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter, illus. J. Winter. Alfred A. Knopf, 1988. K-E The story of the song that showed escaping slaves the way to freedom and the Underground Railroad. Recommended. UE would enjoy it, too! Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman by Dorothy Sterling. Scholastic. UE+ Go Free or Die: A Story About Harriet Tubman (Carolrhoda Creative Minds Book) by Jeri Ferris, illus. Karen Ritz. E-UE Listen for the Whipporwill (Trailblazer Books) by Dave & Neta Jackson. E-JH Christian historical fiction. Harriet Tubman. Curriculum Guide available. A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman  by David A. Adler, illus. Samuel Byrd. Holiday House, 1992. E-UE
This biography tells of the life & influence of Harriet Tubman in an easy-to-read style with full-color illustrations on each page. The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox. 1973. UE-JH+ Newbery Medal. Gripping story of a young boy's forced voyage on a slave ship, awakening the reader to the evils & cruelty of the slave trade. Captivating, powerful storytelling. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. HS The book that alerted the nation to the evils of slavery and turned the tide for change. Walking the Road to Freedom: A Story About Sojourner Truth (Carolrhoda Creative Minds Book) by Jeri Ferris, illus. Peter E. Hanson. Carolrhoda Books, 1988. E-UE Only a few black-and-white illustrations, but the story holds attention. The strength & determination of one woman, from the horrors of slavery to her efforts to help her people, are inspirational. AMERICAN HISTORY: 1860s—not Civil WarAddy: An American Girl/Boxed Set (American Girls Collection). The individual books are: Meet Addy: An American Girl, Addy Learns a Lesson: A School Story, Addy's Surprise: A Christmas Story, Happy Birthday, Addy!: A Springtime Story, Addy Saves the Day: A Summer Story, and Changes for Addy: A Winter Story by Connie Rose Porter. The Pleasant Co. 1993. E-JHSix books based on the life of a fictional American girl in 1864, written especially for girls.
A picture book of Sitting Bull's childhood in the context of Indian culture. Includes religious beliefs and ability to communicate with animals. Sitting Bull can be read next for greater depth for the advanced E. Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express by Eleanor Coerr, illus. Don Bolognese. Harper Collins, 1995. E Tells of the exciting life of the brave Pony Express riders such as Buffalo Bill. Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink, illus. Trina Schart Hyman. Scholastic, 1935, 1963, 1973. UE Newbery Medal. Caddie's adventures growing up on the frontier in Wisconsin. Sequel is Caddie Woodlawn's Family. The Caroline Years series: The series includes Little House in Brookfield, Little Town at the Crossroads, Little Clearing in the Woods, and On Top of Concord Hill by Maria D. Wilkes. E-UE Stories based on the girl who grew up to become Laura Ingalls Wilder's mother (Little House series). Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. UE The boyhood of Alonzo, who later became Laura Ingalls Wilder's husband, on a farm in early New York. Written in the same style as the Little House series by the same author. The Long Way to a New Land (I Can Read Book) by Joan Sandin. HarperCollins, 1989. E A Swedish family journeys to America in search of a better life. The sequel is The Long Way Westward (I Can Read Book)  .
Riding the Pony Express by Clyde Robert Bulla. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan. UE Newbery Medal. A father and his two children are visited by a mail-order bride, but will she choose to stay and become a part of their family? The sequel is Skylark. Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell. UE+ Bright Morning escaped from slavery in Mexico only to encounter greater challenges at home. This story illustrates the struggles of the Navajo people in the late 1800's, specifically the tragic event known as "The Long Walk." Sitting Bull, Warrior of the Sioux by Jane Fleischer, illus. Bert Dodson. Troll Associates, 1979. E-UE+ The story of Sitting Bull, from childhood to death, with black-and-white illustrations on every page. Simple enough for the young, but can also give a clear picture of this historical figure for the older student. Can be read after A Boy Called Slow for the advanced E. Wait for Me, Watch for Me, Eula Bee by Patricia Beatty, illus. Daniel Mark Duffy. UE-JH With their father away at war, a 13-year-old boy and his sister are the only survivors of a Comanche attack. He later escapes, but then returns to rescue her. Great story of adventure and courage. Recommended. Welcome to Addy's World, 1864: Growing Up During America's Civil War (American Girls Collection). Pleasant Co. UE-JH Expanding on the Addy series, this book illustrates and explains many facets of the typical way of life of her time period and location. AMERICAN HISTORY: 1860s—Civil War & Abraham Lincoln
Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln: The Story of the Gettysburg Address (All Aboard Reading) by Jean Fritz, illus. Charles Robinson. Grossett & Dunlap, 1993. E Tells of the Civil War in general and Abraham Lincoln's role as president during that time, as well as Gettysburg and Lincoln's speech. Illustrations and text holds appeal for the 2nd-3rd grades.
Newbery Medal. Great detail on Lincoln and many photographs of both him and his times. My Brother's Keeper: Virginia's Civil War Diary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (My America series) by Mary Pope Osbourne. Scholastic, 2000. E-UE Sequel is After the Rain: Virginia's Civil War Diary, Book Two (My America) by the same author. The Perilous Road by William O. Steele. Harcourt, Brace, & World, 1958. UE+ A young boy struggles with conflicting loyalties & learns of the senselessness of war when the conflict hits close to his home. A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln (Picture Book Biography) by David A. Adler, illus. John & Alexandra Wallner. E Mr. Adler writes biographies for the younger student, including plenty of detail and important information in a picture book format. Important Dates are included in the back. A Picture Book of Robert E. Lee (Picture Book Biography) by David A. Adler, illus. John & Alexandra Wallner. Holiday House, 1994. E Mr. Adler writes biographies for the younger student, including plenty of detail and important information in a picture book format. Important Dates are included in the back. The Promise Quilt by Candice F. Ranson, illus. by Ellen Beier. Walker & Co., 1999. K-E A Virginia girl's sacrifice helps to reopen their school after the Civil War. Touching story with a hint of sadness (her father never returns from the War), but ends in hope. The Rebel Spy (The American Adventure #23) by Norma Jean Lutz, illus. Adam Wallenta. UE-JH Christian historical fiction. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane. HS Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith. JH + The Civil War in the West. The Silent Witness: A True Story of the Civil War by Robin Friedman, illus. Claire A. Nivola. Houghton-Mifflin, 2005. K-E Lula and her favorite rag doll lived at Bull Run when the Civil War began in her front yard. Her family then moved to a tiny village called Appomattox Court House to be away from the fighting. But in 1865, two visitors in tall boots arrived at Lula's house, and she fled from the room, leaving her doll as a "silent witness" to the end of the war. Watercolor illustrations. Spy in the Sky by Kathleen Karr, illus. Thomas F. Yezerski. Hyperion, 1997. E-UE Based on the balloonist who used his talents to help the Northern troops. 3rd Grade Level Chapter Book. Time for Battle (The American Adventure) by Susan Martins Miller. UE-JH Christian historical fiction. Turn Homeward, Hannalee by Patricia Beatty. William Morrow & Co., 1984. UE+ Story centers around the Georgia mill workers who were sent north against their will. Briefly alludes to General Sherman's scourge in the south. The sequel is Be Ever Hopeful, Hannalee (see post Civil War). Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment by Clinton Cox. UE+ The story of the only black regiment to fight in the Union army. See also the video Glory. War's End (The American Adventure 24) by Norma Jean Lutz, illus. Adam Wallenta. UE-JH Christian historical fiction. Welcome to Addy's World, 1864: Growing Up During America's Civil War (American Girls Collection). Pleasant Co. UE-JH Expanding on the Addy series, this book illustrates and explains many facets of the typical way of life of her time period and location. When Abraham Talked to the Trees by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk, illus. Bill Farnsworth. Eerdmans, 2000. K-E The story of Abe's gowing up, his love of books, and his effort to become a scholar and a speaker in his rustic environment. Nice. Does not discuss the Civil War, and only briefly alludes to his presidency. AMERICAN HISTORY: 1860s—post Civil WarBe Ever Hopeful, Hannalee by Patricia Beatty. Morrow Junior Books, 1988. UE+Sequel to Turn Homeward, Hannalee (see Civil War). The family must face the challenge of rebuilding their lives in the post-Civil War South as the demolished city of Atlanta rebuilds around them. Good story! Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reader. Macmillan, 1989. UE+ Jefferson Cup Award. Living with relatives after being orphaned by the war, Will is forced to consider perspectives of the conflict other than his own. Good story, with a sensitive view of the people on all sides, and the hardships suffered by all. AMERICAN HISTORY: 1870sCentennial Celebration (The American Adventure #25) by Joann A. Grote. UE-JH
Dakota Dugout The stories of Laura's experiences with her pioneer family in the Midwest have become classic American favorites. See My First Little House Books below, The Caroline Years & Farmer Boy in 1860s, and Little House on Rocky Ridge in 1890s. My First Little House Books series: Winter on the Farm Prairie Day Dance at Grandpa's Going West Winter Days in the Big Woods County Fair Sugar Snow The Deer in the Wood illus. by R. Graef, H. Jones & J. Wheeler. K-E Selected stories from the Little House series written & illustrated for the younger child. Wagon Wheels (I Can Read Books) by Barbara Brenner, illus. Don Bolognese. Harper & Row, 1978. E An African-American pioneer story. Three young brothers courageously travel alone in the frontier west to find their father. Based on a true account. AMERICAN HISTORY: 1880sBeautiful Land: A Story of the Oklahoma Land Rush by Nancy Antle.The Day It Rained Forever: A Story of the Johnstown Flood (Once upon America) by Virginia T. Gross. Gold in the Hills by Laurie Lawlor. Walker, 1995. UE+ Julie by Catherine Marshall. HS Fiction based on the Johnstown Flood. Good story, dramatizing how and why it happened. Paperboy by Isabelle Holland. Holiday House, 1999. UE Setting is New York City and the difficult existence of an Irish immigrant family. A boy learns that there is opportunity for all in America if you are willing to work hard and follow your dreams. Train to Somewhere by Eve Bunting, illus. Ronald Himler. Clarion Books, 1996. E-UE A picture book based on the Orphan Trains with a hint of sadness, but a happy ending. AMERICAN HISTORY: 1890s
A short chapter book. Story illustrates what it was really like for men (and in this story, a boy) to leave home to pan for gold in Alaska. Chicago World's Fair by Joann A. Grote, illus. Adam Wallenta. UE-JH Christian historical fiction. Danger on the Flying Trapeze (Trailblazer Books) by Dave & Neta Jackson. E-JH Christian historical fiction. Chicago World's Fair & D. L. Moody. The-Forty-Acre Swindle (Trailblazer Books) by Dave & Neta Jackson. E-JH Christian historical fiction. George Washington Carver. Little House on Rocky Ridge by Roger Lea MacBride. Series includes: Little Farm in the Ozarks, In the Land of the Big Red Apple, On the Other Side of the Hill, Little Town in the Ozarks, New Dawn on Rocky Ridge, and On the Banks of the Bayou. This series of books takes up where the Little House on the Prairie (see 1870s) series ends. Written by the adopted grandson and heir of Rose Wilder Lane (Laura Ingalls Wilder's daughter). Streets of Gold by Rosemary Wells, illus. by Dan Andreasen. Dial Books, 1999. E A Jewish family suffers under the Russian Czar and must leave friends and family for a better life. Tells of their experiences in Russia, their journey, and their settling in America. |
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by George Ella Lyon, paintings by Peter Catalanotto. Orchard Books, 1991. K-E
by Patrick O'Brien. Walker & Company, 2003. E-UE
by Ann Turner, illus. Ronald Himler. Macmillan, 1985. E-UE
