American History Living Books

Abigail Adams – This biography about John Adams’ wife. She was such a strong woman. I’m not sure what impressed me more – the fact that she didn’t run screaming from the house when the Revolutionary War broke out in sight of her house or the fact that she let her young son travel for France with his father, knowing she wouldn’t see either of them for years.

Justin Morgan Had a Horse – This is the story of Justin Morgan and Lil’ Bub. The fact that there is lots of history subtly woven into the story might be lost on younger readers.. It is simply a  great story about the little horse t them. A great example of a living history book.

Guns for General Washington –  Guns? Battles? Treacherous treks through the wilderness? Yeah, this one appeals to boy…but girls still enjoy it.

Janie’s Freedom –  This captivating book tells the story of five children, born into slavery, who make their way North for a better life after gaining freedom at the end of the Civil War.

Theodore Roosevelt – This is part of the Heroes of History series by Janet and Geoff Benge. These are  the kind of stories that kids  want to keep reading longer than called for on the lesson plans. Teddy Roosevelt was a fascinating man and this biography makes the details of his life leap off the page. (As an aside, he looks very much like Robin Williams in my mind. Thanks, Night at the Museum.)

Ambush in the Wilderness – This story of a young boy who witnesses his fur-trader father’s death at the hands of a group of Indians is one of the few stories for kids (to my knowledge) about the French and Indian War.

Robert E. Lee – Many people learn more about the Civil War through this biography than they ever learned in high school. This book is a great example of living history books in general. We learn and retain more by reading these kinds of books than reading dry facts and memorized dates.

Samuel F. B. Morse – This biography is a memorable one because there are so many connections made  between the story of Morse’s life and other people and events. It’s fun to discover which historical figures were living during the times of others and how their lives intertwined.

Michael Faraday – A tear jerker because we follow Michael's life story all the way through to his death.

Thomas Edison – A book to make you laugh while you learn. We have determined that Mr. Edison was ADHD before it had a name.

source:http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/american-history-books-for-kids/

The World of Abraham Lincoln - Living History Book

1940 Newbery Honor Title

Published by Beautiful Feet Books

Originally published in 1944, Foster earned her reputation by her masterful display of "horizontal history" telling the story of world events in the geo-political sphere, while giving as much importance to advances in science, medicine, music, literature, and exploration. 

Thus, while Abe Lincoln was a boy romping the woods of Kentucky:

• Thomas Jefferson was completing his eighth year as president, 
• George III reigned in Great Britain and 
• Napoleon was about to meet his Waterloo.
•  Beethoven and Sir Walter Scott were at the height of their creative powers, while 
• Victor Hugo was staging plays at school.

 By the time Lincoln was old enough to help his father chop wood, other young boys and girls were being prepared for the future parts they would play. 

• Harriet Beecher was reading anything she could get her hands on, 
• Charles Darwin was collecting toads, crabs and shells, and 
• the impoverished boy Dickens was working in a shoe blacking factory in London. 

When Lincoln opened his shop in Salem:

• David Livingstone was opening up deepest Africa, and 
• thousands of Americans were opening up the West on the Oregon Trail. 
• The spirit of freedom was moving around the globe as 
• the abolitionist movement gained power in the States and 
• serfdom saw its demise in Russia. 
• Technologically the world was bursting with the invention of the telegraph, the railroad and the steamboat. 

With her whimsical and informative illustrations and timelines Foster has magnificently captured a remarkable age and a remarkable man.

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This is great story telling and a fun way to learn history. The World of Abraham Lincoln is not just about Abraham Lincoln, but the world in which he lived from birth to death. It covers from Lincoln's boyhood days in which Napoleon and Queen Victoria are discussed along with other major global figures. Throughout the book we are taken to various parts of the world to learn about impacting events and persons that shape history. From 1800 to 1865 is covered. The events of the USA are discussed: events like:

• the War of 1812
• the Mexican War
• the Alamo
• the Missouri Compromise
• the Kansas-Nebraska Act and much more. 
• One learns about the first Reich of Germany under Kaiser Wilhelm. 

The life of Abraham Lincoln is interwoven throughout these history time slices. This book is not just about helping kids learn about and love history, but for adults to learn history as well.

Living Books - Early American History

The list is ordered chronologically.

Pocahontas is d’Aulaire book, which pretty much means it’s going to be good because the authors write biographies in such rich and living words.  This book shares the settling of Jamestown from the perspective of Pocahontas, daughter of the Powhatan chief.  The illustrations are great, too!

Squanto, Friend Of The Pilgrims is historical fiction that shares a picture of the first Thanksgiving from the viewpoint of the Native Americans.  It also gives a deeper picture into the life of Squanto, one of the Patuxet who befriended the English people coming to America. 

This is a "traditional" history book that, obviously does not tell the whole story. Be sure to reference: 

Thanksgiving 1, 2, 3, Squanto, Eucharista, Belloc

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is one of my all-time favorite reads from the Colonial period of history.  In living fashion, appropriate for 4th grade and older, it tackles the topic of superstition and fear the Puritan people had toward those who were “different” than them – people they liked to believe were witches.  Great read!

The Courage of Sarah Noble is the quick, easy and true story of an 8-year-old little girl who goes into the 1707 Connecticut wilderness to forge new land for their family.  She must show great courage as she travels long distances, meets new animals and encounters Native Americans.  Most precious is the friendship formed among her family and their Native neighbors.

Amos Fortune, Free Man is a powerful story about an African prince who was captured and sold into slavery at the age of fifteen.  For 45 years, he keeps the dream of becoming a free man, all the while maintaining his character through hard work and dedication in the midst of his trials.

Calico Bush brings early pioneer life to the forefront as you journey with a 13-year-old orphaned immigrant girl as she lives both the life of a pioneer and an indentured servant.  There are many hardships to overcome, but perseverance leads to joy.

Calico Captive, not to be confused with Calico Bush, is the exciting and harrowing story of a young New Hampshire girl and her family who are taken captive by Indians during the French and Indian War.  It’s based on the actual diary entries of the main character.  It’s no surprise I love this book, because I pretty much love everything written by Elizabeth George Speare.

Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison is another book about an Indian capture.  In this one, the main character is not only held hostage, but adopted into a Seneca family.  Will she ever learn to love her new role in Red Bird’s family?  This story offers a unique perspective and we loved it.

The Sign of the Beaver is a great story of pioneer survival and a sweet friendship that is both full of adventure and a bit of suspense.  It’s perfect for boys because the main character, who is just thirteen, is left alone in the new settlement while his father sets out to bring the rest of the family to their new home.

Johnny Tremain is set in Boston and takes place during the upheaval leading to the Revolutionary War.  Johnny, the main character, is a prideful young man who must overcome several personal obstacles.  His story intertwines beautifully with the political upheaval of the era – like the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere’s ride and the battle at Concord.

The Cabin Faced West shares the story of a young girl who is less than thrilled when her family moves West.  She misses her friends and finds pioneer life hard, but attempts to stay positive and demonstrate bravery.  A surprise guest (shhh…George Washington) visits the family and changes everything.

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch is the story of an unlikely sailor who meets many unfortunate circumstances in his life.  At the same time, he demonstrates great determination as he perseveres and educates himself about the sailing life that he loves.  As history proves, his hard work made him one of the most famous marine navigators of all time.

Seaman’s Journal is historical fiction (from the perspective of a dog) about the adventures of the Lewis and Clark expedition.  I was surprised at how much historical information was included in the text – stops along the way, dangers encountered, and more.  The illustrations are great, too!

Abraham Lincoln’s World isn’t the first Genevieve Foster book I’ve recommended.  I love how her books can act as both a textbook and living literature.  In this volume, you walk through the happenings of the world around the time of Abraham Lincoln’s life.

Minn of the Mississippi is a Holling C. Holling book – and, yes, I would recommend any of them!  Minn is a snapping turtle traveling down the Mississippi River.  History, science and geography are all intricately woven into the story line – as well as the beautiful illustrations.

source: http://ourjourneywestward.com/10-living-books-teach-early-american-history/

Living History through Saints Books

Year of Book Setting and Title

35 St. Paul the Apostle (Jerusalem, ancient Greece and Rome)

45 Love as Strong As Death

255 St. Tarcisius (Pauline Press) Ancient Rome

300 St. Agnes (Pauline Press) Italy

300 St. Pancratius (Pauline Press) Asia Minor

300 Saints of the Byzantine World

385 The Wind at My Back Ireland

500 St. Benedict Italy

1090 Bells of Conquest France

1170 Saint Dominic Spain

1180 Francis and Clare Italy

1190 St. Dominic Italy

1220 Patron St. of First Communicants

1220 St. Hyacinth of Poland Poland

1225 Pillar in the Twilight Italy

1225 The Dumb Ox - St. Thomas Aquinas Italy

1350 St. Catherine of Siena Italy

1425 Wind and Shadows France

1440 Saint Joan France

1460 The Conscience Game England

1500 The Friar and the Knight Spain

1510 Leaving Matters to God Spain

1510 No Place for Defeat Italy

1520 Flame in the Night

1530 The Cross in the West US

1540 Bernadette and the Lady France

1550 A Gamble for God

1550 Saint Philip Italy

1560 Edmund Campion England

1565 St. Francis Solano Peru

1580 St. Martin De Porres Peru

1580 The King's Reward France

1580 The Cheerful Warrior France

1590 St. Rose of Lima Peru

1590 St. John Masias Peru

1600 Saint Issac and the Indians US

1630 Blessed Marie of New France Canada

1640 Father Marquette US

1650 Father Kino US

1650 Kateri Tekakwitha US

1660 A Woman Who Loved France

1725 The Ursulines US

1750 St. Louis De Montfort France

1750 The Road to the Kings Mountain US

1750 Wait for Me US

1760 Mother Seton US

1800 African Triumph Africa

1810 Friend to All Bohemia

1815 Pauline Jaricot France

1820 St. John Bosco Italy

1820 The Great Blackrobe US

1830 John Carrol US

1830 Miraculous Medal France

1840 No Greater Love Belgium

1840 Fr. Damien Belgium

1845 Ahead of the Crowd Italy

1845 Ven. Joseph Marello US

1850 Florence Nightingales Nuns England

1850 Rose Hawthorne US

1860 Katharine Drexel US

1860 The Little Flower France

1890 God's Secret Agent Mexico

1900 More Than a Knight Germany

1900 Yes is Forever US

1915 Our Lady Came to Fatima Portugal

1920 My Eskimos Arctic

1958 Pope John XXIII Italy

source: http://www.keepingitcatholic.org/saintstime.html