Must-Read Living Books for History: A United Stories Reading Guide

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Welcome to the United Stories: A Journey Through America’s Past Book List. Whether you’re just starting out with American history or diving deeper into specific eras, these living books for history are perfect for sparking curiosity and enriching your family’s learning journey.

United Stories: A Journey Through America’s Past, Part 1

Living Books for History

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Unit 1: Journey to the Americas

  1. The Discovery of the Americas by Betsy Maestro
  2. A History of US: The First Americans by Joy Hakim
  3. Maroo of the Winter Caves by Ann Turnbull: Although this book takes place in Europe, it’s a nice supplement to include in your family read-alouds to familiarize students with the Ice Age/Stone Age.
  4. [Optional] Before Columbus: The Americas of 1491 by Charles C. Mann
  5. Before Columbus: The Leif Erikson Expedition by Elizabeth Kimmel or Viking Tales
    by Jennie Hall or Leif the Lucky by Ingri d’Aulaire
  6. Indigenous Ingenuity: A Celebration of Traditional North American Knowledge by
    Diedre Havrelock and Edward Kay
  7. Sees Behind Trees by Michael Dorris; or Children of the Longhouse by Joseph
    Bruchac; or Peacemaker by Joseph Bruchac
  8. History Smashers: Christopher Columbus and the Taino People by Kate Messner
  9. Morning Girl by Michael Dorris or Encounter by Jane Yolen
  10. Exploration and Conquest: The Americas After Columbus by Betsy Maestro
  11. A History of US: Making Thirteen Colonies by Joy Hakim
  12. The Lost Colony of Roanoke by Jean Fritz
  13. [Optional] Blood on the River: James Town, 1607 by Elisa Carbone and Poison in the Colony: James Town, 1622 by Elisa Carbone
  14. [Optional] Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial America by Sally M. Walker
  15. Beyond the Sea of Ice: The Voyages of Henry Hudson by Joan Elizabeth Goodman

Unit 2: Colonization and Early Settlements

  1. The New Americans: Colonial Times by Betsy Maestro
  2. Indigenous Ingenuity: A Celebration of Traditional North American Knowledge by
    Deidre Havrelock and Edward Kay
  3. A History of US: Making Thirteen Colonies by Joy Hakim
  4. Words That Built A Nation: Voices of Democracy That Have Shaped America’s
    History     by Marilyn Miller, Ellen Scordato, and Dan Tucker
  5. Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchac
  6. Poet, Pilgrim, Rebel: The Story of Anne Bradstreet, America’s First Published Poet by
    Katie Munday Williams
  7. Choose between any of the following books to enhance this unit:
    ○ Ocean-Born Mary by Lois Lenski (New Hampshire)
    ○ Elin’s Amerika by Marguerite de Angeli (New Sweden/Delaware)
    ○ Out of Many Waters by Jacqueline Green (New York)
    ○ Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin by Marguerite Henry (Pennsylvania)
    ○ Skippack School by Marguerite de Angeli (Pennsylvania)
    ○ Leonard Calvert and the Maryland Adventure by Ann Jensen (Maryland)
    ○ The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (Connecticut)
    ○ Circle Unbroken by Margot Theis Raven (South Carolina)
  8. Struggle for a Continent: The French and Indian Wars by Betsy Maestro
  9. The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich
  10. A History of US: From Colonies to Country by Joy Hakim

Unit 3: The American Revolution

  1. Liberty or Death: The American Revolution by Betsy Maestro
  2. A History of US: From Colonies to Country by Joy Hakim
  3. Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies by Cokie Roberts
  4. Words That Built A Nation: Voices of Democracy That Have Shaped America’s
    History     by Marilyn Miller, Ellen Scordato, and Dan Tucker
  5. Answering the Cry for Freedom: Stories of African Americans and the American
    Revolution     by Gretchen Woelfle
  6. A Voice of Her Own: Candlewick Biographies: The Story of Phillis Wheatley by
    Kathryn Lasky
  7. Let It Begin Here!: Lexington & Concord: First Battles of the American Revolution by
    Dennis Brindell Fradin
  8. Meet George Washington (Landmark Books) by Joan Heilbroner or A Picture Book
    of George Washington     by David A. Adler
  9. Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia (Landmark Books) by Margaret Cousins or Ben
    and Me         by Robert Lawson or Benjamin Franklin by Ingri D’Aulaire
  10. Meet Thomas Jefferson (Landmark Books) by Marvin Barrett or A Picture Book of
    Thomas Jefferson     by David A. Adler
  11. Black Heroes of the American Revolution by Burke Davis
  12. A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette by Anne Rockwell
  13. They Called Her Molly Pitcher by Anne Rockwell
  14. Cloaked in Courage: Uncovering Deborah Sampson, Patriot Soldier by Beth
    Anderson
  15. Lafayette!: A Revolutionary War Tale by Nathan Hale
  16. The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, and Treachery by Steve Sheinkin

Unit 4: Creating a Nation

  1. A New Nation: The United States (1783-1815) by Betsy Maestro
  2. A History of US: From Colonies to Country by Joy Hakim
  3. Answering the Cry for Freedom: Stories of African Americans and the American
    Revolution     by Gretchen Woelfle
  4. Words That Built A Nation: Voices of Democracy That Have Shaped America’s
    History     by Marilyn Miller, Ellen Scordato, and Dan Tucker
  5. The Game of Silence by Louise Erdrich
  6. Alexander Hamilton: The Outsider by Jean Fritz or A Picture Book of Alexander
    Hamilton         by David A. Adler
  7. A History of US: The New Nation by Joy Hakim
  8. George Washington by Cheryl Harness
  9. What Are You Figuring Now?: A Story about Benjamin Banneker (Creative Minds
    Biography)     by Jeri Ferris; Benjamin Banneker: Pioneering Scientist by Ginger
    Wadsworth; or Dear Benjamin Banneker by Andrea Davis Pinkney
  10. Revolutionary John Adams by Cheryl Harness
  11. Thomas Jefferson by Cheryl Harness
  12. How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis and Clark by Rosalyn Schazner;
    or A Picture Book of Lewis and Clark by David A. Adler and A Picture Book of
    Sacagawea     by David A. Adler
  13. It’s Her Story: Sacajawea by Randy’L He-Dow Teton
  14. The Journey of York: The Unsung Hero of the Lewis and Clark Expedition by Hasan
    Davis
  15. What is the Supreme Court? by Jill Abramson
  16. Native American Heroes: Osceola, Tecumseh & Cochise by Ann McGovern
  17. The Star-Spangled Banner by Peter Spier
  18. Our Flag Was Still There: The True Story of Mary Pickersgill and the Star-Spangled
    Banner     by Jessie Hartland
United Stories

A Journey Through America’s Past

Explore the United Stories curriculum and see how it can bring American history to life for your family. With engaging living books, interactive activities, and comprehensive lesson plans, our curriculum offers a unique, family-style approach to learning history. Dive into the rich stories of America’s past and create memorable learning experiences together.

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