Revolutionary War Books, Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere & more
Look no further for the best Revolutionary War books for kids! For the beginning reader, The I Can Read series offers several selections 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. We also list a good historical novel on Benedict Arnold that would be especially appealing to older girls.
For more good books on the Revolutionary War & its heroes, see our Reading List for Founding Fathers.
LIVING HISTORY BOOKS: AMERICA 1770s — Revolutionary War
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 Declaration of Independence (Cornerstones of Freedom) by R. Conrad Stein. Children’s Press, 1995. UE-JH
This book gives a wealth of information in a very readable style. Read
about the who, where, how and why behind America’s founding document,
with little details not found in textbooks. Illustrations on every page.
Recommended.
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.
The Boston Tea Party by Russell Freedman, illus. Peter Malone. UE+ Exceptional full-page illustrations go along with a complete description of the events leading up to the Tea Party, the event itself, and its aftermath. Great content includes reflections from real people who took part.
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.
Henry and the Cannons: An Extraordinary True Story of the American Revolution by Don Brown, Roaring Brook Press, 2013. E-UE
While many may have heard the name Henry Knox, most have no idea what
he did in history. This picture book tells the little-known story of the
amazing & critical accomplishments of an ordinary man to help his
country win the Revolutionary War.
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!
The Liberty Tree: The Beginning of the American Revolution (Picture Landmark) by Lucille Rech Penner. Random House, 1998. E-UE
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 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, illus. Ted Rand. Puffin. E+
The unedited Longfellow poem is accompanied by equal-to-none
illustrations that even the youngest will enjoy. Although a read-aloud
for the E age, the pictures help children grasp the full meaning of the
words.
A favorite!
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.
The Scarlet Badgeby Wilma Pitchford Hays, illus. Peter Burchard. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1963. UE-JH
Wilma Pitchford Hays has written several historical fiction books, all of which are worth reading! The Scarlet Badge
lets you see the conflict of loyalties in America in the 1700’s. Not
everyone was a patriot (or “rebel”)–some remained convinced that
staying under British rule was the right thing to do. Read this book to
understand how the conflicting opinions hurt friendships, neighbor
relationships, and even families, and the sacrifices that were made on
both sides.
Sybil Ludington’s Midnight Ride (On My Own History) by Marsha Amstel, illus. Ellen eier. Carolrhoda Books, 2000. E-UE
Inspiring story of a 16-year-old who braved the dark and cold to ride
all night, warning her neighbors of a British attack. Easy-to-read,
short paragraphs with a great message of courage and bravery in the face
of danger during the Revoluationary War.
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.
