"The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children."

What follows is an annotated bibliography of the best books for use in your American history instruction.. I have read every book I list-if you would like me to add to the page-just let me know. If I haven't read it I may depend on you for some information.

Jeanne

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American History

Citizenship

Avi. Nothing But the Truth.
Audience: Grades 5-8
In this novel, Philip stands up to his teacher regarding his right to sing the "Star Spangled Banner" in class. However, Philip does not realize the far-reaching consequences of this decision.

Coleman, Warren. The Bill of Rights. Children's Press, 1987.
This book describes how the Bill of Rights came into existence and what it guarantees American citizens. Beautiful color photographs enhance the story. A glossary is included in the back of the book.

Fradin, Dennis B. The Flag of the United States. Children's Press, 1988.
This book recounts the history of the development of the flag and how it came to look like it does today.

Lawson, D. The Changing Face of the Constitution. Little Brown, 1979.

Meltzer, M. The Bill of Rights: How We Got It and What It Means. HarperCollins, 1990.

Morris, Richard B. The Constitution. Lerner Publications, 1985.
This book presents a chronology of the events leading up to the writing and eventual ratification of the Constitution.

Spier, Peter. The Star-Spangled Banner. Doubleday, 1975.
This book contains all the verse to our national anthem. Watercolor pictures beautifully illustrate the song.

Spier, Peter. We the People: The Constitution of the United States. Doubleday, 1987. Doubleday, 1987.
This picture book presents the preamble of the Constitution along qith beautiful illustrations. Historical information regarding the writing of the constitution beginning with the original draft in 1787 is provided. Specific historical information about the first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights, is also included. In addition, a complete copy of the Constitution and all the amendments is in the back of the book.

Swanson, June. I Pledge Allegiance. Carolrhoda Books, 1990.

Wise, W. American Freedom and the Bill of Rights. Parents, 1975.

The Civil War

Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women.
Audience: Grades 5-Adult

Fritz, Jean. Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln: The Story of the Gettysburg Address
Audience: Grades 2-3

Hunt, Helen. Across Five Aprils.
Audience: Intermediate

A coming of age story; it centers on the effects of the Civil War on everyday life. The Creighton family has moved from Virginia to Illinois, where one son volunteers for the Confederate Army, and the other for the Union. Jethro Creighton, too young to fight alongside his brothers, must serve as head of the household. As letters and newspapers bring news of bloody battles, he and his family are caught in a complex web of emotions, moral issues, divided loyalties, and lost young lives.

Colonial America/American Revolution

For a complete list of Colonial America and American Revolutionary War Links Please Click Here

Stop by the Fourth of July Home Page.
Here you will find information on the Declaration of Independence, the men who signed it; as well as brief biographies on patriots, a more complete suggested reading list and Americana projects for children.

Fast, Howard. April Morning.
Audience: Middle School
The tale of a 15-year-old Massachusetts farmboy who witnesses the American Revolution.

Forbes, Esther. Johnny Tremain.

Fritz, Jean. And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?
Describes some of the well-known as well as lesser-known details of Paul Rever's famous midnight ride.

Fritz, Jean. Can't You Make Them Behave King George?

Fritz, Jean. The Case of Benedict Arnold.

Fritz, Jean. Early Thunder

Fritz, Jean. Shh! We're Writing the Constitution Putnam, 1987.
This story of the creation of the Constitution and the rights it guarantees is cleverly written by historical author Jean Fritz. Illustrations by Tomie de Paola add to the story. A copy of the constitution is provided in the back of the book.

Fritz, Jean. What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?. Coward-McCann, 1976.

Fritz, Jean. Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May?

Fritz, Jean. Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?

Fritz, Jean. Who's That Stepping on Plymouth Rock?

Fritz, Jean.Why Don't You Geta Horse, Sam Adams?.

Levy, Elizabeth. If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution. Scholastic, 1987.

Hoople, C.G. The Heritage Sampler: A Book of Colonial Arts and Crafts. Dial, 1975.

Rappaport, Doreen. The Boston Coffee Party. Harper & Row, 1988.

Richards, Norman. The Story of the Declaration of Independence. Children's Press. 1968.
This book explains why and how the Declaration of Independence came into existence, beginning with the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620. A copy of the Declaration of Independence is found at the beginning of the book.

Sloane, Eric. An ABC Book of Early Americana. Doubleday, 1963.

Waters, Kate. Samuel Eaton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy. Scholastic, 1993.
This book describes the daily routines, food, and work of Samuel Eaton, a Pilgrim boy.

Waters, Kate. Sarah Morton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl. Scholastic, 1989.

Frontier Life

Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Twain, Mark. Tom Sawyer.

Immigration

The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation has created a wonderful teacher's guide. Write to:
Teacher's Guide
The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.
52 Vanderbilt Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Price: $5.00
Grade Level: Grades 3-6

Bartone, Elisa. American, Too!.
Audience: Primary
A nostalgic look at the immigrants who flocked to America in the early part of this century. Rosie doesn't want to be like all her Italian neighbors and family. So when she is chosen as quenn of a feast day parade, she is determined to prove her point.

Behrens, June. Miss Liberty: First Lady of the World. Children's Press, 1986.

Bresnick, Perry. Leaving for America. Children's Book Press, 1992.

Bunting, Eve. How Many Days to America?

Cech, J. My Grandmother's Journey. Bradbury, 1991.

Coerr, Eleanor. Lady With a Torch. Harper, 1986.

Fisher, Leonard. Ellis Island Gareway to the American Dream. Holiday, 1986.

Fisher, Leonard. The Statue of Liberty. Holiday, 1985.

Freedman, Russell. Immigrant Kids. Scholastic, 1992.

Friedman, Ina. How My Parents Learned to Eat. HoughtonMifflin, 1987.

Harvey, B. Immigrant Girl: Becky of Eldridge Street. Holiday, 1987.

Levinson, R. Watch the Stars Come Out. Dutton, 1985.

Maestro, Betsy and Giulio. The Story of the Statue of Liberty. Mulberry Books, 1986.
This story desribes how the Statue of Liberty was made, from raising the funds to shipping it from France to the USA. There is also discussion of the Statue of Liberty as an important symbol to immigrants.

Sandin, Joan. The Long Way to a New Land. Harper & Row, 1981.

Shapiro, M.J. How They Built the Statue of Liberty. Random, 1985.

Stein, Conrad. R. The Story of Ellis Island. Children's Press, 1979.
This book gives a detailed account of Ellis Island. The descriptions of how immigrants felt as they awaited entrance to the US and then tried to make their way around NYC help to develop compassion in the reader toward immigrants.

Yep, Laurence. Dragonwings. Harper, 1975.

Pioneers and Westward Expansion

"Beyond the East the sunrise,
beyond the West the sea,
And the East and West,
the Wanderthirst
that will not let me be.
-Gerald Gould

Please visit my homepage on quilting

Brink, Carol Ryrie. Caddie Woodlawn
Audience: Intermediate
A Newbery Medal Winner
This captivating tale of a mischievous pioneer girl whisks readers back to the Wisconsin woods of 1864. When Indians threaten to attack her family, Caddie uses her resourcefulness and quick thinking to save the day.

Fritz, Jean. The Cabin Faced West

Levine, Ellen. If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon. Scholastic, 1986.

MacLachan, Patricia. Sarah Plain and Tall. Harper Collins, 1985.
Caleb and Anna have been lonely since the death of their mother. Papa has also been lonely so he decides to arrange for a mail order bride.

Sabin, Francene. Pioneers. Troll, 1985.

Sanders, Scott Russell. Aurora Means Dawn. Bradbury Press, 1989.

This richly illustrated story tells of the hopes and hardships of one pionees family from Connecticut who traveled by covered wagon to Ohio in 1800 to settle their own farm.

Concepts: Pioneer and frontier life; westward expansion

Wilders, Laura Ingalls. Little House in the Big Woods. HarperCollins, 1932.
This is a touching true story of the childhood of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family of early pioneers.

Please visit my Laura Ingalls Wilder Home Page

Presidential History

Fritz, Jean. Bully For You, Teddy Roosevelt

Fritz, Jean. George Washington's Breakfast

Fritz, Jean. The Great Little Madison

Fritz, Jean. Stonewall

Provenson, Alice. The Buck Stops Here: The Presidents of the United States
This is one of my very favorite books of all time!!! Filled with tidbits about the presidents and their time in office!

Scriabine, Christine Brendel. The Presidency. Chelsea House, 1988.
This book explains the basic powers of the President and includes general information about how each President handled his power. It also desribes the roles of the First Lady and the President's cabinet.

Presidential Links

• The Presidents of the United States
• The White House for Kids
  Socks, the White House cat, takes you on a tour of the White House which includes presidential history, the history of the White House, a look at several rooms, and White House kids and pets! Lots of fun information!

Slavery

Fox, Paula. The Slave Dancer.
Fox paints a sensitive and authentic portrait of the slave trade in this engrossing historical novel. Snatched from the docks of New Orleans, a 13-year-old white boy is thrown aboard a slave ship and forced to play music for the African prosoners-and to become a witness to the horrors of slavery.

Gaines, Ernest J. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.
Audience: Middle School-High School
From one of the greatest black writers in America today comes a story of a legendary woman who lived 110 years, who has been both a slave and a witness to the black militancy of the 1960's.

Monjo, F.N. The Drinking Gourd.

Visit African-Americans in Children's Literature

WWII

Coerr, Eleanor. Sadako and the 1,000 Cranes.
One of the best books written for children pertaining to the bomb dropped on Hiroshima during WWII. Sadako, suffering from radiation poison, attempts to fold 1,000 cranes believing she will get well by doing so according to a Japanese legend.

Online Sites Associared With Sadako Cranes for Peace Began as a project to collect paper cranes to be sent to Hiroshima for the 50th anniversary of the bombing. The site now dedicates itself to Sadako and the book written by Coerr. Includes Sadako-related projects and other crane projects. Sadako Paper Crane Page Sadako Home Page Teacher's Guide Paper-Crane Instructions Joseph Wu's Origami Page

Visit Asian-Americans in Children's Literature

Ray, Deborah Kogan. My Daddy Was A Soldier: A World War Two Story. Holiday House, 1990.

Women's Suffrage

Fritz, Jean. You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton?

Native American Literature

Archambault, Bill. Knots on a Counting Rope.

dePaola, Tomie. The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1988.

Fritz, Jean. The Double Life of Pocahontas

Miles, Miska. Annie and the Old One.

O'Dell, Scott. Thunder Rolling in the Mountains

Newbery Medal-winning author Scott O'Dell was deeply involved in research for this Native American saga at the time of his death. At his request, his wife finished this powerful tale of the tragic exodus of the Nez Perce from tribal lands and the bravery of an Indian girl who refuses to be a captive of fear and violence.

O'Dell, Scott. Zia

Scott O'Dell continues the story of Island of the Blue Dolphins in this novel about Karina, a Native American woman. O'Dell mixes stirring drama with historical insights into 18th century California mission life to create an unforgettable sequel to a modern classic.

Vist Native American Literature for Children

Suggested Bibliography for Teachers and Parents

Hall, Helen C. White. Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults.
For order information contact The Cooperative Children's Book Center at 1-800-243-8782

Kobrin, Beverly. Eyeopeners! How to Choose and Use Children's Books About Real People, Places, and Things. Penguin, 1988.

This guide's quick-link index allows you to locate titles by topic.