The Best Living Books for Early American History

American history has always been my favorite subject and I have a great list of the best living books to share with you today! This list includes books that are best for elementary and middle school students. Even the titles with middle grade reading levels make great read alouds for your elementary students!

Early American history Living Books

• George Washington by Edgar and Ingri d’Aulaire
• Benjamin Franklin by Edgar and Ingri d’Aulaire
• Leif the Lucky by Edgar and Ingri d’Aulaire
• Columbus by Edgar and Ingri d’Aulaire
• Pocahontas by Edgar and Ingri d’Aulaire
• Abraham Lincoln by Edgar and Ingri d’Aulaire
• Buffalo Bill by Edgar and Ingri d’Aulaire
• A Child’s First Book of American History by Earl Schenck Miers
• The 4th of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh
• The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh
• Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas
• The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower, or John Howland’s Good Fortune by P.J. Lynch
• Exploring the New World: An Interactive History Adventure by Melody Herr
• Colonial America: An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur
• The Story of Hiawatha adapted by Allen Chaffee
• The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
• The Boston Massacre: An Interactive History Adventure by Elizabeth Raum
• The Revolutionary War: An Interactive History Adventure by Elizabeth Raum
• Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
• Why Don’t You Get a Horse, Sam Adams? by Jean Fritz
• Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? by Jean Fritz
• Let it Begin Here! Lexington & Concord: First Battles of the American Revolution by Dennis Brindell Fradin
• The Winter at Valley Forge by James E. Knight
• We the People: The Constitution of the United States by Peter Spier
• We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States illustrated by David Catrow
• A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution by Betsy Maestro
• The Star-Spangled Banner by Peter Spier
• Our Flag Was Still There: The True Story of Mary Pickersgill and the Star-Spangled Banner by Jessie Hartland
• Phoebe the Spy by Judith Berry Griffin
• Tolliver’s Secret by Esther Wood Brady
• Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
• Phillis Wheatley – Christian Biographies for Young Readers by Simonetta Carr
• Thee, Hannah by Marguerite de Angeli
• The Matchlock Gun by Walter Edmonds
• The Year of the Horseless Carriage: 1801 by Genevieve Foster
• Mr. Revere and I by Robert Lawson
• Ben and Me by Robert Lawson
• The World of Captain John Smith by Genevieve Foster
• George Washington’s World by Genevieve Foster
• Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Latham
• Poor Richard by James Daugherty
• Guns for General Washington: A Story of the American Revolution by Seymour Reit
• My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier
• I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis
• Great Battles for Boys: The American Revolution by Joe Giorello
• Of Courage Undaunted: Across the Continent with Lewis and Clark by James Daugherty

Additional resources for teaching Early American history

Early American hymns, folksongs, and Patriotic songs

• Chester by William Billings (This was considered to be the Anthem of the Revolutionary era and was sung during the American Revolutionary war.)
• Yankee Doodle
• The Star-Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key
• Early American Choral Music is always worth listening to. Videos are below!

Early American History Memory Work Suggestions

• “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” by Patrick Henry
• Independence Oration by Samuel Adams
• “Common Sense” (excerpt) by Thomas Paine
• Farewell Address by George Washington
• Preamble to the Constitution

What are your favorite Early American history living books? I would love to hear! This list could go on and on. I always love to hear new suggestions. I hope this list has been helpful for you!